Studio: Sphere Entertainment Co.
Job Opening: Senior VFX Artist
Location: Burbank, California, US
Type: Full-Time
Responsibilities:
- Create photo-real particle systems for game environment.
- Work closely with the Creative Director and others to maintain stunning visual style and quality to bring levels and features to life
- Design and simulate realistic fire, smoke, explosions, debris, clouds, energy, etc. that meet all technical and aesthetic standards for the project
- Author real-time particle effects for the destruction of buildings, vehicles, natural environments, and everything in between
- Set dress levels with ambient atmospheric effects that produce spectacular photo-realistic game moments
- Create textures and/or meshes to use in particle effects with various 2D and 3D applications including flipbooks
- Ensure industry leading quality and artistic fidelity for photo-real effects
- Promote and enforce structure, such as naming conventions and documentation
- Provide in-depth research, reference material, and develop conceptual ideas from scratch
- This role is part of a production artist group exploring and developing a unique language for Sphere, in collaboration with a creative development team
- Must be passionate for games
Qualifications & Skills:
- Minimum of 4 years in full-cycle AAA game development or equivalent film/TV experience
- Highly proficient with the Unreal Engine including Niagara and the material editor
- Ability to simulate realistic fire, smoke, explosions, debris, clouds, etc. that meet all technical and aesthetic standards for the project
- Passion for fluid dynamics pushing fidelity and refining techniques as technology changes
- Excellent texture and flipbook creation skills
- Aware of memory and technical constraints while working, and can balance visual quality with performance
Desired Skills:
- Experience with simulation and VFX software like FumeFX, Houdini, Embergen, Fluid Ninja, Maya, Max, etc.
- Demonstrate a strong eye for timing, weight, realism, color, volume, energy, and other particle aesthetics
- Strong collaborative skills and interpersonal skills
- Ability to act effectively in a dynamic development environment
- Capable of working on own initiative, identify problems and offer practical solutions
- Ability to interpret and transform abstract ideas and concepts into compelling work
- Modeling and animation experience
