Lead VFX Artist - Real-time Simulations

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Competitive compensation

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead VFX Artist for our Pretoria, Gauteng office. This hybrid role requires a seasoned professional to guide a team in creating realistic real-time visual effects for immersive simulations and training.

You will lead, mentor, and collaborate with engineers to integrate complex particle systems, fluids, and shaders, while upholding high visual quality and performance across hardware.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in VFX artistry with focus on real-time applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of VFX artists for real-time effects.
• Develop complex particle systems, simulations, and destruction effects.
• Collaborate with simulation engineers to integrate VFX into the engine.
• Establish and maintain visual quality standards and best practices for VFX production.
• Create and optimize VFX assets for performance across hardware.
• Develop and refine shaders and materials to achieve desired visuals.
• Stay informed about emerging real-time VFX techniques.
• Provide technical and artistic feedback and manage project timelines.

Skills

VFX leadership

Mentoring

Real-time VFX

Particle systems

Fluid dynamics simulations

Shader development

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Fine Arts, or related field

Tools

Houdini

Maya

3ds Max

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge technology firm specializing in immersive simulation and training solutions, is seeking a talented Lead VFX Artist for their Pretoria, Gauteng office. This role requires a seasoned artist with a deep understanding of creating realistic and impactful visual effects for real-time applications. You will lead a team of VFX artists, guiding them in the creation of dynamic simulations, explosions, particle systems, and environmental effects. This is a hybrid role, requiring a balance of on-site collaboration and remote work. The ideal candidate is a creative visionary with exceptional technical skills, a strong understanding of physics-based simulations, and the ability to mentor and inspire a team. You will play a critical role in enhancing the visual fidelity and immersion of our training platforms.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of VFX artists in the creation of high-quality real-time visual effects.
• Develop and implement complex particle systems, simulations (fire, smoke, fluid dynamics), and destruction effects.
• Collaborate closely with simulation engineers and software developers to integrate VFX seamlessly into the simulation engine.
• Establish and maintain visual quality standards and best practices for VFX production.
• Create and optimize VFX assets for performance across various hardware configurations.
• Contribute directly to asset creation, focusing on complex effects and challenging technical requirements.
• Develop and refine shaders and materials to achieve desired visual outcomes.
• Stay informed about emerging technologies and techniques in real-time VFX and simulation.
• Provide technical and artistic feedback to team members.
• Manage project timelines and resource allocation for the VFX team.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in VFX artistry, with a significant portion focused on real-time applications (games, simulation, VR/AR).
• Proven experience leading a team of artists or managing VFX projects.
• Strong portfolio showcasing expertise in particle systems, simulations, and real-time rendering techniques.
• Proficiency with VFX creation tools such as Houdini, Maya, 3ds Max, and related plugins.
• Expertise in game engines like Unreal Engine or Unity, particularly their VFX and simulation systems.
• Solid understanding of fluid dynamics, rigid body simulations, and other physics-based phenomena.
• Experience with shader development and material creation.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a keen eye for detail and visual aesthetics.
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid model, balancing remote and in-office contributions in Pretoria, Gauteng.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Graphics, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits package.
• Generous vacation and personal leave policy.
• Opportunities for professional development and attending industry conferences.
• A dynamic and innovative work environment with cutting-edge technology.
• Flexible working hours within the hybrid model.
• Contribution to impactful simulation and training technologies.