VFX Artist - GameSim - Talent Pipeline

2 weeks, 2 days ago
Full-time
Senior
Design and User Experience
Keywords Studios

Keywords Studios

Keywords Studios provides comprehensive technical and creative solutions for the global video games industry, specializing in localization, audio production, quality assurance, art creation, and customer support services to enhance the gaming experienc...

Internet Software & Services
10K-50K
Founded 1998

Description

  • Create custom real-time visual effects and implement them in-engine using Unreal Engine 5, Unity, or proprietary tools.
  • Build effects for gameplay, environments, cinematics, atmosphere, combat, interaction, destruction, UI/game feedback, and other project needs.
  • Create supporting textures, flipbooks, materials, meshes, simulations, and other assets for real-time VFX.
  • Maintain clean, readable, reusable VFX setups, including material graphs, Niagara systems, parameters, and naming conventions.
  • Work with Blueprints, scripting hooks, animation events, gameplay triggers, and other engine-specific implementation needs.
  • Troubleshoot VFX issues with Technical Art, Engineering, Design, Animation, Audio, and other disciplines.
  • Own VFX optimization fundamentals, including particle counts, overdraw, shader cost, texture memory, spawn rates, scalability, and platform constraints.
  • Review work from internal artists, partner studios, or external vendors and provide constructive feedback.
  • Help break down VFX requests into tasks, priorities, dependencies, risks, and definitions of done.
  • Collaborate with cross-discipline teams and support client communication when needed by clarifying requirements and aligning on outcomes.

Requirements

  • 5+ years of professional game industry experience as a real-time VFX Artist or similar role.
  • At least one shipped game title.
  • Proven end-to-end real-time VFX workflow experience from concept through in-engine implementation and polish.
  • Strong experience implementing effects in Unreal Engine 4 or 5, with working knowledge of Niagara.
  • Strong particle animation fundamentals, including timing, rhythm, shape language, motion, impact, anticipation, dissipation, and readability.
  • Strong understanding of natural energies and materials such as fire, smoke, water, electricity, magic, dust, debris, explosions, atmospherics, and environmental effects.
  • Strong material and texture creation skills using Photoshop, Substance Designer, or similar tools.
  • Demonstrated understanding of real-time VFX optimization, including particle counts, overdraw, memory usage, material cost, scalability, and performance constraints.
  • Strong communication skills, including written updates, verbal communication, documentation, and actionable feedback.
  • Ability to interpret vague creative, design, or client direction and turn it into clear VFX tasks or implementation plans.
  • Experience mentoring, reviewing, or guiding other artists; a formal Lead title is not required.
  • Comfortable collaborating across design, engineering, technical art, production, and art direction.
  • Strong ownership, follow-through, organization, and problem-solving ability.
  • Interest in growing into broader leadership responsibilities over time.
  • Portfolio demonstrating real-time VFX work with gameplay context and in-engine implementation, preferably in Unreal Engine 4 or 5 / Niagara.
  • Resume and portfolio link required.
  • Must be legally authorized to work in the United States and reside in one of the eligible U.S. states listed in the posting.
  • An art test may be required as part of the process.
  • Preferred: proficiency with Perforce, Jira, Miro, and Confluence.
  • Preferred: experience with Houdini, EmberGen, Unity, Substance Designer, proprietary engines, scripting languages such as C#, Python, or Blueprint, 2D/3D animation, stylized and realistic effects, environmental/world VFX, outsourcing or co-development, cross-time-zone collaboration, VFX standards and pipeline documentation, client reviews, or leading a small team.

Benefits

  • Salary range of $70,000 USD to $75,000 USD.
  • Flexible work options, including remote, hybrid, or in-office arrangements.
  • Opportunity to work on different projects.
  • 3 weeks of accrued paid time off.
  • Benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Sick leave and disability coverage.
  • Corporate holidays.
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company matching.
  • Professional development support.
  • Snacks, drinks, ping pong, and more.

Interested in this position?

Apply directly on the company website

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