Senior VFX Artist - Real-time Effects

Placements24; Rustenburg; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation package

Hybrid work model

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior VFX Artist specialized in real-time effects to join our Rustenburg studio. You will lead the end-to-end VFX creation, ensuring seamless integration with game mechanics, environments, and narrative while mentoring junior artists.

The role is hybrid, requiring collaboration on-site with flexibility for remote work. A strong portfolio and 5+ years in real-time VFX are essential, with expertise in Unreal or Unity, Houdini, Maya, Substance Designer, and Photoshop.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Fine Arts, or related field or equivalent professional experience.
• 5+ years of professional experience in real-time VFX artistry for games or interactive media.
• Strong portfolio showing real-time effects across projects.
• Expertise with Unreal Engine or Unity VFX systems (Niagara, VFX Graph).
• Proficiency in Houdini, Maya, Substance Designer, and Photoshop.

Responsibilities

• Design, create, and implement high-quality real-time VFX for games and interactive apps.
• Develop particle systems, shaders, and post-processing effects to boost fidelity and gameplay feedback.
• Optimize VFX assets to meet performance targets across platforms.
• Collaborate with designers and artists to ensure VFX enhances gameplay and narrative.
• Utilize engine tools to create and iterate effects (Niagara, VFX Graph).
• Stay current with real-time VFX tech and trends.
• Mentor junior VFX artists and provide guidance.
• Troubleshoot complex VFX issues and contribute to pipelines.

Skills

Real-time VFX

Shader development

Material setup

Optimization

Artistic fundamentals

Problem solving

Collaboration

Education

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

Tools

Unreal Engine

Unity

Houdini

Maya

Substance Designer

Photoshop

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a talented Senior VFX Artist specializing in real-time effects to join their innovative studio in Rustenburg, North West . This role is essential for creating visually stunning and technically optimized special effects for interactive experiences. You will be responsible for the entire lifecycle of VFX creation, from initial concept to final implementation, ensuring a seamless integration with game mechanics and environments. The ideal candidate will possess a strong artistic eye combined with a deep understanding of real-time rendering technologies. This is a hybrid role, offering a blend of on-site collaboration and remote work flexibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, create, and implement high-quality real-time visual effects (VFX) for games and interactive applications.
• Develop particle systems, shaders, and post-processing effects that enhance visual fidelity and gameplay feedback.
• Optimize VFX assets and techniques to achieve target performance metrics on various platforms.
• Collaborate closely with game designers, level designers, and technical artists to ensure VFX enhance gameplay and narrative.
• Utilize engine-specific tools (e.g., Unreal Engine Niagara, Unity Particle System) to create and iterate on effects.
• Stay current with emerging real-time VFX technologies, tools, and artistic trends.
• Mentor junior VFX artists and provide technical and artistic guidance.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex VFX-related technical issues.
• Contribute to the development of the VFX pipeline and best practices.
• Create compelling visual sequences that align with the project's artistic vision and style.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 5+ years of professional experience in real-time VFX artistry for games or interactive media.
• Strong portfolio showcasing a wide range of visually impressive real-time effects.
• Expertise with major game engines such as Unreal Engine or Unity, specifically their VFX systems (Niagara, VFX Graph).
• Proficiency in relevant software such as Houdini, Maya, Substance Designer, and Photoshop.
• Solid understanding of shader creation, material setup, and performance optimization techniques.
• Excellent artistic fundamentals, including composition, color theory, and animation principles.
• Ability to translate conceptual ideas into tangible visual effects.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Experience in Rustenburg, North West or ability to commute for hybrid requirements.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• This role provides the opportunity to work on exciting projects, utilize cutting-edge technology, and contribute to a creative and collaborative team environment in Rustenburg, North West .
• We support professional development and offer a hybrid work model that balances productive on-site collaboration with the flexibility of remote work.