Senior Technical Artist (VFX & Shaders)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Highly competitive salary

Comprehensive health insurance

Retirement plans

Generous vacation and personal leave

Continuous learning and growth

Centurion-based studio

Access to cutting-edge tech/tools

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Technical Artist specializing in Visual Effects and Shaders for a renowned game studio in Centurion, Gauteng. You will bridge art and tech, optimize assets, and push visual fidelity within real-time constraints.

Collaborate with artists and engineers, develop advanced shaders, tools, and pipelines, and mentor juniors. A strong portfolio in VFX/shaders and experience with Unreal or Unity is required.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a Technical Artist in the game industry, with a focus on VFX and shaders.
• Proficiency in shader languages (e.g., HLSL, GLSL) and PBR workflows.
• Strong experience with 3D graphics APIs (e.g., DirectX, OpenGL) and game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Experience with scripting languages (e.g., Python, C#) for tool development.
• Portfolio demonstrating expertise in VFX and shader creation for games.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize real-time VFX using particle systems and shaders for game engines.
• Create and implement advanced shaders for materials, lighting, and post-processing effects.
• Collaborate with art and engineering teams to define visual targets and technical requirements.
• Develop tools and scripts to streamline art pipelines and improve efficiency.
• Profile and optimize art assets and engine features to ensure performance targets are met.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to art implementation, shaders, and VFX.
• Mentor junior technical artists and share knowledge across the team.
• Research and implement new technologies and techniques to enhance visual quality.
• Ensure consistency in visual style and technical execution across projects.

Skills

VFX

Shaders

HLSL

GLSL

PBR workflows

DirectX

OpenGL

Unreal Engine

Unity

Python

C#

Maya

3ds Max

Substance Painter

Artistic eye

Team collaboration

Tools

Unreal Engine

Unity

Maya

3ds Max

Substance Painter

DirectX API

OpenGL API

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned game development studio situated in **Centurion, Gauteng**, is actively searching for a highly talented Senior Technical Artist specializing in Visual Effects (VFX) and Shaders. This critical role bridges the gap between art and technology, enabling the creation of stunning visual experiences by optimizing art assets and developing advanced rendering techniques. You will work closely with artists and engineers to push the boundaries of visual fidelity within technical constraints. The ideal candidate possesses a strong artistic eye combined with deep technical knowledge of shaders, scripting, and real-time rendering pipelines. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute your expertise to visually ambitious projects in a collaborative and forward-thinking environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize real-time VFX using particle systems and shaders for game engines.
• Create and implement advanced shaders for materials, lighting, and post-processing effects.
• Collaborate with art and engineering teams to define visual targets and technical requirements.
• Develop tools and scripts to streamline art pipelines and improve efficiency.
• Profile and optimize art assets and engine features to ensure performance targets are met.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to art implementation, shaders, and VFX.
• Mentor junior technical artists and share knowledge across the team.
• Research and implement new technologies and techniques to enhance visual quality.
• Ensure consistency in visual style and technical execution across projects.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a Technical Artist in the game industry, with a focus on VFX and shaders.
• Proficiency in shader languages (e.g., HLSL, GLSL) and PBR workflows.
• Strong experience with 3D graphics APIs (e.g., DirectX, OpenGL) and game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Experience with scripting languages (e.g., Python, C#) for tool development.
• Solid understanding of art fundamentals, including color theory, composition, and form.
• Experience with 3D modeling, texturing, and animation software (e.g., Maya, 3ds Max, Substance Painter).
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Portfolio demonstrating expertise in VFX and shader creation for games.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and potential for bonuses.
• Comprehensive health insurance and retirement plans.
• Generous vacation and personal leave allowances.
• Opportunities for continuous learning and professional growth.
• A dynamic and innovative work culture in **Centurion, Gauteng**.
• Access to cutting-edge technology and tools.
• Flexible working arrangements that support work-life balance.
• Collaborative environment with talented and passionate industry professionals.