Senior Technical Artist - VFX

Placements24; Vrystaat; Hybrid; ZAR 720,000 - 960,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work flexibility

Professional development opportunities

Creative team environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Technical Artist specializing in real-time VFX for game development. This remote role offers collaboration with a studio in Upington, Northern Cape, and focuses on bridging artistic vision with engine implementation.

You will develop shaders, particle systems, and tools, optimize performance, and mentor juniors. Proficiency with Unreal Engine or Unity, shader languages, Python/C#, and a strong portfolio are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years as a Technical Artist or in a similar role with a focus on VFX.
• Proven experience creating and optimizing real-time VFX for games using Unreal Engine or Unity.
• Proficiency in shader development and particle system design.
• Strong understanding of 3D modeling, texturing and animation principles for VFX.
• Experience with Python and C# for pipelines and tools.
• Portfolio showcasing real-time VFX work is mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and optimize real-time VFX for games using industry-standard engines.
• Create shaders, particle systems and VFX assets aligned with artistic direction.
• Collaborate with VFX artists to optimize assets for performance and memory.
• Develop tools and workflows to improve VFX pipeline efficiency.
• Troubleshoot VFX integration and performance issues.
• Define technical requirements and best practices for VFX with engineers.
• Mentor junior technical artists on best practices.
• Stay updated with real-time graphics tech and VFX techniques.
• Contribute to visual quality and performance across platforms.

Skills

Real-time VFX

Shader development

Particle systems

Python scripting

C# scripting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics/ Game Design

Tools

Unreal Engine

Unity

HLSL/GLSL

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading independent studio in the Arts & Entertainment sector focused on game development, is seeking an experienced Senior Technical Artist specializing in Visual Effects (VFX) to join their team, operating remotely with potential for collaboration in Upington, Northern Cape . This role is pivotal in bridging the gap between artistic vision and technical implementation, focusing on the creation, optimization, and integration of high-quality VFX for games. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of game engines, shader development, pipeline optimization, and real-time VFX creation tools. You will work closely with art and engineering teams to ensure visually stunning effects are delivered efficiently and perform optimally across various platforms. This is a fantastic opportunity to apply your technical artistry to create breathtaking visual experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and optimize real-time visual effects for video games using industry-standard engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Create shaders, particle systems, and other VFX assets that align with artistic direction and technical constraints.
• Collaborate with VFX artists to ensure assets are optimized for performance and memory usage.
• Develop and maintain tools and workflows to improve the efficiency of the VFX pipeline.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to VFX integration and performance.
• Work with engineers to define technical requirements and best practices for VFX.
• Mentor junior technical artists and provide guidance on best practices.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in real-time graphics technology and VFX techniques.
• Contribute to the overall visual quality and performance of the game.
• Optimize VFX assets for various target platforms, ensuring consistent quality and performance.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a Technical Artist or in a similar role with a focus on VFX.
• Proven experience in creating and optimizing real-time VFX for games using engines like Unreal Engine or Unity.
• Proficiency in shader development (e.g., HLSL, GLSL, node-based editors) and particle system design.
• Strong understanding of 3D modeling, texturing, and animation principles relevant to VFX.
• Experience with scripting languages (e.g., Python, C#) for pipeline development and tool creation.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a remote or hybrid team environment.
• A portfolio showcasing exceptional real-time VFX and technical artistry is mandatory.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Game Design, Art, or a related field is preferred.
• Familiarity with performance profiling tools and optimization techniques.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, commensurate with experience, and a comprehensive benefits package.
• This role provides a unique opportunity to contribute to visually spectacular game projects and work within a creative and collaborative team environment.
• Employees benefit from the flexibility of remote work, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to impact the visual fidelity of cutting-edge games.
• Join us and help push the boundaries of real-time visual effects in the gaming industry.