Lead VFX Artist (Real-time Specialization)

Placements24; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Paid time off

Relocation assistance

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead VFX Artist in our Gauteng studio to drive real‑time effects for multiple projects. You will guide a team of artists to craft high‑fidelity particle systems, simulations, and shaders that elevate gameplay and visuals.

You will define visual style, establish pipelines, and optimize performance across targets, while collaborating with directors and engineers. A strong leadership mindset and a compelling portfolio are essential.

Qualifications

• 6+ years as a VFX Artist in the game industry, with lead or senior experience.
• Strong portfolio of real‑time VFX work for shipped titles (particles, simulations, shaders).
• Proficient in Maya/3ds Max, Substance Painter.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of VFX artists, ensuring artistic quality and technical efficiency.
• Develop real‑time visual effects for games, including particle systems, fluids, shaders, and environmental effects.
• Establish and maintain visual quality standards and pipelines for VFX creation and implementation.
• Collaborate with art directors, designers, and engineers to integrate VFX into gameplay.
• Optimize VFX performance for smooth frame rates and resource use across platforms.
• Create proof‑of‑concept VFX to explore new directions and tech possibilities.
• Manage the VFX asset pipeline and integration into the game engine.
• Stay current with industry trends and best practices in real‑time VFX.

Skills

Real-time VFX

Leadership

Shader programming

Portfolio demos

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics

Tools

Unreal Engine

Unity

Niagara

Shader Graph

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a groundbreaking studio based in **Tembisa, Gauteng**, renowned for its visually stunning and technically ambitious video game titles. We are looking for an exceptional Lead VFX Artist with a strong specialization in real-time effects to spearhead our visual effects department. In this pivotal role, you will guide a team of talented artists in creating breathtaking particle effects, dynamic simulations, and awe-inspiring magical and environmental phenomena that bring our virtual worlds to life. You will be instrumental in defining the visual style and technical execution of all VFX across multiple projects, ensuring a consistent and high-fidelity aesthetic. This position demands a blend of artistic mastery, technical expertise, and leadership acumen, offering a significant impact on the final product. As the lead, you'll foster a collaborative and innovative environment within the **Tembisa** studio, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in real-time graphics. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the visual future of interactive entertainment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of VFX artists, overseeing their work and providing constructive feedback to ensure artistic quality and technical efficiency.


• Develop and implement cutting-edge real-time visual effects for games, including particle systems, fluid dynamics, shaders, and environmental effects.


• Establish and maintain visual quality standards and technical pipelines for VFX creation and implementation.


• Collaborate closely with art directors, game designers, and engineers to conceptualize and integrate VFX that enhance gameplay and narrative immersion.


• Optimize VFX performance to ensure smooth frame rates and efficient resource utilization across target platforms.


• Create compelling proof-of-concept VFX to explore new artistic directions and technical possibilities.


• Manage the VFX asset pipeline, ensuring proper organization, versioning, and integration into the game engine.


• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in real-time VFX development.

Requirements

• Proven experience of at least 6 years as a VFX Artist in the game industry, with a significant portion in a lead or senior role.


• A strong portfolio demonstrating outstanding real-time VFX work for shipped titles, with a focus on particle systems, simulations, and shader development.


• Expertise in industry-standard 3D modeling, texturing, and animation software (e.g., Maya, 3ds Max, Substance Painter).


• Proficiency with leading game engines such as Unreal Engine and Unity, including their respective VFX tools (Niagara, Shader Graph, etc.).


• Deep understanding of shader programming, material creation, and optimization techniques.


• Excellent artistic eye for composition, color, lighting, and motion.


• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.


• Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines in a demanding production environment.


• Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.


• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.


• Generous paid time off and flexible working hours.


• Opportunities for professional growth and attending industry conferences.


• A dynamic and creative work culture in **Tembisa**.


• Relocation assistance for qualified candidates.


• Access to cutting-edge technology and development tools.