Principal/Lead VFX Artist at Game Studio
Company: Confidential Game Studio
Location: Santa Monica, CA, USA
Job Type: Full-Time (On-site)
Salary: $150,000 – $180,000
About the Company
This AAA game development studio is building an ambitious open-world project, focusing on cutting-edge real-time visual effects and immersive gameplay experiences. The team is composed of experienced developers dedicated to pushing creative and technical boundaries in Unreal Engine 5.
Job Overview
The Principal/Lead VFX Artist will lead the creation of high-quality real-time visual effects, shaping the visual identity of a large-scale open-world game. This role combines hands-on production, technical direction, and team leadership, working closely with art, design, and engineering teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Create and implement real-time VFX for environments, character abilities, destruction systems, and cinematics.
- Own and oversee all VFX elements across the project.
- Define VFX pipelines, workflows, and best practices.
- Collaborate with the Art Director to establish visual style and technical direction.
- Lead VFX pre-production including concepting, previs, and planning.
- Develop VFX master materials in collaboration with technical artists.
- Optimize VFX performance, memory usage, and real-time integration.
- Mentor and guide junior VFX artists.
- Drive VFX R&D and collaborate with engineering on tool development.
- Work with production teams to estimate, plan, and track VFX tasks.
Qualifications
- 5–8 years of professional experience as a VFX artist.
- Shipped at least one AAA title in a VFX role.
- Strong portfolio demonstrating real-time VFX work.
- Expertise in Unreal Engine 5 and modern game development pipelines.
- Strong understanding of particle systems, shaders, lighting, and rendering.
- Experience balancing visual quality with performance optimization.
- Knowledge of PBR lighting and physics-based effects.
- Proficiency with tools like Houdini, Maya, 3ds Max, or Embergen.
- Excellent collaboration and communication skills.
- Strong problem-solving and technical troubleshooting abilities.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Visual Effects, Computer Graphics, Game Development, or a related field is preferred, or equivalent professional experience.
Benefits
- Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision)
- Paid time off, sick leave, and company holidays
- Parental leave and life insurance
- Disability insurance and 401(k) plan
- Performance bonuses and potential equity
- Opportunity to shape a AAA open-world title from early development
How to Apply
Please send your application to our HR department:
Required: Attach your portfolio/demo reel and include details of your shipped projects.