Senior VFX Artist at Absurd Ventures
San RafaelFull-timeGame DevelopmentPosted 22 days ago
Apply with PipelineAbout the Role
<p><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Summary</span></strong><span data-contrast="auto"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Real-Time VFX Artist to craft stunning visual effects for our ambitious open-world project. As a core member of the VFX team, you will be relied upon to execute complex effects from block-out to final polish with minimal supervision. We highly value senior-level artistic fundamentals and technical problem-solving above specific software constraints; whether your previous AAA experience is rooted in proprietary engines or other commercial software, your core VFX capabilities are what matter most. With a foundational understanding of Unreal Engine, you will work within established pipelines and collaborate with art, design, and engineering to deliver awe-inspiring visuals that bring our expansive world to life, consistently hitting a AAA quality bar.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Core Responsibilities</span></strong><span data-contrast="auto"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Create and implement real-time, high-quality visual effects for an open-world environment, including environmental effects, character abilities, destruction, and cinematic sequences.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Take ownership of complex VFX features from concept to final integration, driving high-quality results and proactively solving technical challenges.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Work closely with the VFX Director to perfectly execute the established visual style and tone of the project.</span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Craft dynamic and visually dramatic effects that enhance gameplay and cinematics while strictly adhering to performance budgets.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Proactively troubleshoot your own effects, ensuring they are highly optimized for memory and runtime performance across any engine environment.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Stay current on real-time visual effects techniques and efficiently apply them to your daily workflow.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Collaborate with Engineering and Tech Art to test new toolsets and clearly communicate the technical needs required to complete your tasks.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
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<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Core Qualifications</span></strong><span data-contrast="auto"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Strong portfolio showcasing a high-quality, diverse range of real-time VFX work, demonstrating mastery of visual effects principles regardless of the engine used.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="10" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">5+ years of proven experience as a VFX artist in the games industry.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="11" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Shipped at least one AAA title as a VFX artist.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="11" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Deep proficiency in real-time VFX authoring within a major game engine (e.g., proprietary AAA engines, Unity, etc.).</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="11" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Foundational experience with Unreal Engine (Niagara, materials, sequencing) and a strong aptitude for translating your senior-level skills into a UE5 pipeline.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="11" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Expert understanding of particle systems, shaders, lighting, and real-time rendering pipelines.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="11" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Proven track record of balancing high-fidelity visual quality with strict technical optimization.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="11" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Ability to collaborate seamlessly with other departments (design, lighting, environment, cinematics), providing polished elements for seamless integration.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="11" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Exceptional eye for the timing, animation, weight, and motion of real-world phenomena and visual FX.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="11" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to overcoming day-to-day development challenges.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="11" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Excellent communication skills, taking and implementing feedback effectively.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="11" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Familiarity with physically based lighting (PBR) concepts and physics-based effects.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="11" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Experience with third-party packages and workflows (Houdini, 3ds Max, Maya, or EmberGen).</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="11" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Passion for creating immersive and visually compelling game worlds.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559685":720,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Plus if...</span></strong><span data-contrast="auto"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Hands-on experience implementing dynamic weather systems, large-scale destruction effects (e.g., using Chaos physics), or systemic open-world VFX.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="24" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Advanced experience with specific UE5 rendering and simulation features, such as Dataflow or Substrate material systems.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="24" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Familiarity with scripting languages (Python, Blueprint) to assist in your own VFX implementation.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{"335559685":720}"> </span></p>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="none"><span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 4">Description</span></span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245418":true,"134245529":true,"335559738":319,"335559739":319}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Full-time job with benefits.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Role is on-site in San Rafael, CA.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Office is in downtown San Rafael – near freeways, bus and train stations.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Join our talented team and play a crucial role in defining the visual identity of our games. Together, we will create memorable characters that resonate with players worldwide. Apply now and lead our character art team as the Lead Character Artist with Absurd Ventures.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The base pay range for this position is $145,000 to $180,000 per year. Actual compensation is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We also offer a competitive package of benefits including paid time off, sick time, company holidays, parental leave, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">About Absurd Ventures </span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Absurd Ventures is a media company creating new IP across all platforms and for all formats. Absurd Ventures is building narrative worlds, creating characters, and writing stories for a variety of genres, without regard to medium, to be produced for live-action and animation; video games and other interactive content; books, graphic novels, and scripted podcasts.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>
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