VFX Artist

Contract Details

• Duration: 12-month contract.
• Employment Status: Temporary engagement through staffing partner, Yoh Enterprise Solutions.

Position Overview

The VFX Artist is responsible for creating visual effects to assist in gameplay, environments, and cinematics.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Creates, designs, and implements real-time particle effects using both static and animating 2D/3D elements.
• Places visual FX across all areas of the game, including environmental, gameplay, and cinematic assets.
• Creates FX textures (color, normal, specular, ambient occlusion, height, and incandescent maps).
• Creates FX shaders with node-based shader networks.
• Creates simple geometry and UV sets.
• Optimizes FX for framerate and memory.
• Collaborates with other development departments to ensure FX implementation is appropriate for the game engine.
• Contributes to the overall art style of the game.
• Orchestrates FX events involving layering and timing of different FX to create a believable scene.
• Demonstrates professionalism in attendance, communication, reading comprehension, receiving feedback, and working in a production setting.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills

• Technical Proficiency:
  • Intermediate ability to navigate and use DCC software such as Maya, Houdini, or equivalent.
  • Proficient in Maya, including working with joints and locators, keyframing, rigid body simulations, hard surface modeling, and UV mapping.
  • Proficient in Photoshop for painting and editing textures.
  • Proficient with node-based shader networks.
• Foundational Knowledge:
  • Intermediate foundation in computer graphics fundamentals and artistic analysis.
  • Knowledge of other visual effects software is a plus.
  • Solid traditional arts background is a plus.
• Professional Skills:
  • Good team skills and a collaborative attitude.
  • Good observation skills and ability to use reference materials.
  • Ability to work independently.
  • Proficient animation and timing skills.
• Reasoning Ability:
  • Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
  • Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Compensation and Benefits

• Estimated Base Pay Range: $75 - $85 USD per hour (for Seattle-based roles; individual pay varies based on job-related factors including knowledge, skills, experience, and location).
• Benefits: Eligible for medical, dental, and vision insurance.

Additional Information

• Location: United States, Remote.
• Background Checks: Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees, which may include criminal background checks.