Senior Technical Artist (VFX)

Placements24; Upington; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund contributions

Creative studio environment

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Technical Artist specializing in VFX to join our Upington studio in the Northern Cape, ZA. You will bridge art and tech, building tools and workflows to deliver high‑fidelity real‑time visuals.

Lead tool development, collaborate with artists and engineers, and optimize performance across pipelines. A strong portfolio and 5+ years in VFX/game tech are required for this role.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a Technical Artist or in a related role within the VFX or game development industry.
• Strong proficiency in scripting languages such as Python, MEL, or equivalent.
• Experience with real‑time engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) and their VFX systems (e.g., Niagara, Shader Graph).
• Solid understanding of 3D art principles, including modeling, texturing, lighting, and rendering.
• Experience with shader development and optimization.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and optimize VFX tools, shaders, and scripts to enhance artist productivity and visual quality.
• Collaborate with VFX artists to troubleshoot technical issues and provide solutions for complex visual effects challenges.
• Work with engineers to implement new VFX features and integrate third‑party tools into the pipeline.
• Optimize VFX assets and systems for real‑time performance and efficient rendering.
• Create and manage VFX asset pipelines, ensuring consistency and adherence to technical specifications.
• Assist in defining art and technical standards for visual effects.
• Stay current with advancements in real‑time technologies, game engines, and VFX pipelines.
• Provide technical guidance and training to junior technical artists and VFX artists.

Skills

Python scripting

Unreal Engine

Shader development

VFX pipelines

Problem solving

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic force in the Arts & Entertainment sector, is seeking a talented Senior Technical Artist specializing in VFX to join their team in Upington, Northern Cape, ZA. This role is crucial for bridging the gap between art and technology, ensuring the efficient and high-quality implementation of visual effects within our productions. You will work closely with artists and engineers to develop tools, optimize workflows, and troubleshoot technical challenges, directly impacting the visual fidelity and performance of our projects. Located in Upington, Northern Cape, ZA, our studio offers a collaborative environment where innovation thrives. This is an excellent opportunity for a technically proficient artist to contribute their expertise to exciting projects and advance their career within a supportive and forward-thinking company.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and optimize VFX tools, shaders, and scripts to enhance artist productivity and visual quality.
• Collaborate with VFX artists to troubleshoot technical issues and provide solutions for complex visual effects challenges.
• Work with engineers to implement new VFX features and integrate third‑party tools into the pipeline.
• Optimize VFX assets and systems for real‑time performance and efficient rendering.
• Create and manage VFX asset pipelines, ensuring consistency and adherence to technical specifications.
• Assist in defining art and technical standards for visual effects.
• Stay current with advancements in real‑time technologies, game engines, and VFX pipelines.
• Provide technical guidance and training to junior technical artists and VFX artists.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a Technical Artist or in a related role within the VFX or game development industry.
• Strong proficiency in scripting languages such as Python, MEL, or equivalent.
• Experience with real‑time engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) and their VFX systems (e.g., Niagara, Shader Graph).
• Solid understanding of 3D art principles, including modeling, texturing, lighting, and rendering.
• Experience with shader development and optimization.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and a strong analytical mindset.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills, essential for collaborating within our Upington, Northern Cape, ZA studio.
• A portfolio showcasing technical art skills, tool development, and VFX implementation.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical aid and retirement fund contributions.
• You will work in a creative and collaborative studio environment, contributing to exciting and impactful projects.
• Opportunities for professional development and skill enhancement are readily available.
• This role provides the chance to work with cutting‑edge technology and be part of a passionate team dedicated to pushing visual boundaries.