Lead VFX Artist - Immersive Experiences

Placements24; Kempton Park; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellness benefits

Professional growth opportunities

Latest hardware and software access

Job summary

Placements24 in Tembisa, Gauteng, seeks a Lead VFX Artist to head our visual effects department, guiding a team across feature films, high-end commercials and immersive VR projects. You will shape artistic direction, ensure technical excellence, mentor juniors, and collaborate with directors to translate concepts into compelling visuals using Maya, Houdini, Nuke and related tools.

Join a state-of-the-art studio with a strong emphasis on innovation, competitive remuneration, health benefits and

Qualifications

• Extensive professional experience as a VFX artist with leadership responsibilities.
• Strong understanding of 3D animation, compositing, particle systems, and rendering.
• Experience mentoring/junior artists and delivering high-quality visuals.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a team of VFX artists, providing artistic direction and technical guidance.
• Develop and execute complex visual effects sequences from concept to final delivery.
• Manage VFX pipeline, ensure efficient workflows and timely delivery.
• Collaborate with directors to translate vision into visuals.
• Oversee shot finalization including rendering, compositing, and color grading.
• Evaluate new VFX technologies and techniques to enhance capabilities.

Skills

Team leadership

Artistic direction

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Graphics or related field

Tools

Maya

Houdini

Cinema 4D

Nuke

After Effects

V-Ray/Arnold

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a premier digital media studio located in the heart of Tembisa, Gauteng , is actively seeking a talented and visionary Lead VFX Artist to spearhead our visual effects department. This pivotal role involves leading a team of skilled artists in creating stunning and realistic visual effects for a diverse range of projects, including feature films, high-end commercials, and immersive virtual reality experiences. You will be responsible for driving the artistic direction of VFX, ensuring technical excellence, and mentoring junior artists. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of 3D animation, compositing, particle systems, and rendering, coupled with exceptional leadership qualities. Join us to craft breathtaking visuals that captivate and engage audiences worldwide from our state-of-the-art facilities in Tembisa .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a team of VFX artists, providing clear artistic direction and technical guidance.
• Develop and execute complex visual effects sequences, from concept to final delivery.
• Manage the VFX pipeline, ensuring efficient workflow and adherence to project timelines.
• Collaborate with directors and creative leads to translate project vision into compelling visual effects.
• Create photorealistic or stylized visual effects, including but not limited to, explosions, fire, water, destruction, and magical elements.
• Oversee shot finalization, including rendering, compositing, and color grading.
• Evaluate and implement new VFX technologies and techniques to enhance our creative capabilities.
• Conduct regular reviews, provide constructive feedback, and foster a collaborative team environment.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges within the VFX pipeline.

Requirements

• Extensive professional experience as a VFX Artist, with demonstrated leadership in a similar role, supported by a compelling demo reel.
• Expert proficiency in industry-standard VFX software such as Maya, Houdini, Cinema 4D, Nuke, After Effects, and V-Ray or Arnold renderers.
• Deep understanding of 3D modeling, texturing, lighting, rendering, and compositing.
• Proven ability to create high-quality simulations for particles, fluids, and rigid bodies.
• Strong artistic eye for composition, color, and motion.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively manage and motivate a team.
• Experience with scripting languages (e.g., Python, MEL) for pipeline automation is a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Graphics, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.

Benefits

This position offers a highly competitive remuneration package, excellent health and wellness benefits, and opportunities for professional growth within a leading creative studio. You will work with a talented and passionate team, access to the latest hardware and software, and the chance to contribute to groundbreaking projects. Our studio in Tembisa, Gauteng , is equipped with cutting-edge technology and provides an inspiring workspace. We value our employees and are committed to fostering a supportive and innovative work culture.