Are you an experienced Lead VFX Artist looking to shape high-impact visual effects for a large-scale, multiplayer RPG project?
This is an opportunity to join an established, internationally recognised game studio working on an ambitious, story-driven title, where visual effects play a critical role in storytelling, immersion, and moment-to-moment gameplay.
This is a full-time position based in Boston, USA, with hybrid working available. The role is suited to a senior VFX leader who combines hands-on technical excellence with people leadership and a passion for building strong, creative teams.
About the role...
As a Lead VFX Artist, you will be responsible for defining, delivering, and maintaining high-quality real-time visual effects across a major game project. You will lead and mentor a team of VFX artists, collaborate closely with other disciplines, and help drive both artistic vision and technical standards across the project. This role has a strong influence on production planning, pipelines, and long-term VFX strategy.
What you'll be doing:
- Lead, mentor, and support a team of VFX artists, fostering a collaborative and inclusive team culture.
- Design and implement high-quality real-time visual effects that enhance gameplay, cinematics, and narrative moments.
- Drive artistic quality and technical excellence across the VFX pipeline.
- Support team members with goal-setting, feedback, and career development.
- Collaborate with gameplay, environment, animation, and cinematic teams to deliver cohesive visual experiences.
- Research, prototype, and introduce new tools, workflows, and techniques for real-time VFX.
- Ensure VFX content meets performance, memory, and platform constraints.
- Oversee external and outsourced VFX work, including briefing, review, and quality control.
- Partner with production and leadership to align VFX scope, planning, and milestones.
- Help maintain scalable, efficient production pipelines and workflows.
What we're looking for:
- 8+ years of professional experience as a VFX Artist in game development.
- Experience shipping at least one AAA title in a lead or senior VFX role
- Proven leadership experience within a creative, cross-disciplinary environment.
- Strong expertise in Unreal Engine 5 and real-time VFX development.
- Solid experience with real-time and baked simulations.
- In-depth knowledge of VFX pipelines and tools, including Houdini.
- Strong understanding of PBR workflows, shaders, lighting, and real-time rendering.
- Advanced skills in performance optimisation and debugging.
- Ability to independently lead complex initiatives and solve technical and artistic challenges.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
- A strong portfolio demonstrating high-quality VFX work for games.
Location and working model...
- Full-time role
- Based in Boston, USA
- Hybrid or in-studio working available
- Remote options within selected US states may be considered
If you’re a Lead VFX Artist who enjoys building teams, pushing real-time visuals forward, and delivering visually striking, performant effects that elevate gameplay and storytelling, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply now, or email Joe McKernan - jm@skillsearch.com
