Lead VFX Artist

From dodgeball in the streets to racetracks in your living room, we've always been more interested in asking "what if?" than following a roadmap. Whether we're dreaming up a chaotic game of hide & seek in the dark or putting a legendary space fox back in the pilot's seat, that inventor's mindset runs through everything we do. We make games for people who appreciate craft and a little bit of magic. If you're curious, you'll be in good company.

We are looking for a skilled, passionate VFX Artist (Lead) to join our team. If you’re brimming with passion and curiosity and ready to create the best work of your career, we’d love to hear from you!

Responsibilities

• Continuously look to raise the bar and help our studio be industry leaders in visual effects.
• Work closely with the Art Director and other key team leaders to help define and build out the vfx look and style for our projects.
• Work with Project Leads and Producers on scheduling tasks, providing realistic time estimates and resource planning to make the best use of the vfx team.
• Run team reviews providing constructive feedback and maintaining a cohesive vision with consistent high levels of polish.
• Create in-engine visual benchmarks and gather references that reinforce the vision of the project and set goals for the vfx team.
• Create, promote and uphold best practices for vfx systems and asset creation.
• Be a team leader by mentoring and guiding the performance of the vfx team as well as contributing to peer reviews.
• Participate in recruitment activities: portfolio review, interviews, etc.
• Craft and create a wide range of VFX for original and existing IP game properties.
• Research opportunities to help Velan stay at the cutting edge of visual effect techniques and workflows.
• Help the team problem solve and brainstorm solutions for content that requires complex technical implementation.
• Collaborate with other art disciplines as well as engineers, designers, and QA to deliver high-quality assets that reinforce the gameplay goals of our projects.
• Be proactive and autonomous in problem-solving and cross-discipline brainstorming throughout project production cycles.
• Document systems and processes for reference by project and studio content creators.
• Bring a strong understanding of modern artistic toolsets and typical AAA game engine experience.
• Deep experience operating within performance budgets and optimization solutions typical for real-time vfx.

What is expected of an Art Lead at Velan Studios?

Lead roles are assigned on a per-project basis and not tied directly to the level of an employee’s position.   Leads champion best practices that relate to their area of expertise but also represent all aspects of it in interdisciplinary discussions regarding scope, planning, tools, features and team updates.    

As the project matures, leads may also be part of hiring and mentoring of any additional artists that might be needed within their field to accomplish project goals in a timely manner and to a high level of quality.  Leads may also be expected to help assess their performance and aid in their career development. 

Requirements

• 10+ years of game industry real-time VFX experience on console and/or PC platforms.
• Strong portfolio of shipped games.
• Degree or equivalent experience in Digital Media Design, Game Design, or related field is desired.
• Ability to create from your own ideas, not just from pre-existing concept art.
• Demonstrated strength in custom texture and shader creation.
• High proficiency with DCC’s related to vfx creation such as Photoshop, Substance Designer, EmberGen, Maya, Blender and Houdini.
• Excellent technical understanding enabling deep collaboration with our engineering team, as well as working within the limits of various hardware platforms.
• Strong organizational skills with adherence to optimization and asset management.
• Passion for making and playing great games, with an awareness of current titles and industry trends.
• Self-direction, passion, and creativity in your work.
• A receptiveness to feedback and the ability to act successfully on direct critique.

Bonus Skills

• Technical expertise with a node based vfx system such as PopcornFX v2, Unity’s VFX Graph or Unreal Engine’s Niagara.
• Experience with EmberGen Elemental Suite
• Experience or skill in one or more additional disciplines (e.g. TechArt, Concepting, Animation, User Interface, Lighting, Design, etc.)

This is a hybrid or onsite position. Hybrid is 3 days a week in studio - Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.

The salary for this position is typically within the range specified below* per year. Please note that the actual base pay may vary based on factors such as your qualifications, skills, experience, and other relevant considerations.

Salary Ranges:
Senior - $95k - $115k CAD
Specialist - $110k - $130k CAD

Senior - $100k - $120k USD
Specialist - $115k - $140k USD

Velan Studios is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about a role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to submit a General Application. Velan Studios is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion, diversity, and providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. We seek to create a work culture that matches the diversity of our players.

- 10+ years of game industry real-time VFX experience on console and/or PC platforms. - Strong portfolio of shipped games. - Proficiency with DCC software such as Photoshop, Substance Designer, EmberGen, Maya, Blender, and Houdini. - Excellent technical understanding for collaboration with engineering and optimizing for hardware platforms. - Strong organizational skills with adherence to optimization and asset management.