About the role
Your Mission
Raven Software is seeking a highly capable, motivated Lead VFX Artist to play a key role on our team, partner across disciplines, and shape compelling visual effects. We are looking for a driven, trusted, and autonomous leader to own VFX development initiatives, guiding a world-class team of VFX Artists to solve technical and creative challenges and deliver industry-leading visual effects for the blockbuster Call of Duty franchise.
Qualified candidates will be adaptable to evolving development needs, possess excellent communication skills, navigate the technical and creative challenges of VFX development, and deliver visual effects at the scale, quality, and complexity expected of a AAA blockbuster franchise. They will partner with some of the most talented and passionate developers in the industry to mentor artists, lead the team, and drive excellence. Above all, we are looking for an innovative and dedicated teammate to help tell our story.
This role is based in our Middleton, WI office and follows an onsite work schedule of four days per week. Work arrangements may change at the company's discretion to meet business needs.
Responsibilities
- Work closely with the Art Director to bring ambience, life, and drama to environments, gameplay, and cinematics.
- Lead a team to craft and implement compelling particle effects and systems that communicate essential game information.
- Drive visual and technical quality to deliver cutting-edge, AAA-worthy VFX.
- Prototype VFX systems, particle materials, and improve workflows to achieve the desired tone and gameplay needs.
- Spearhead VFX R&D efforts, partnering with experts within and across disciplines to champion best practices and visual targets.
- Take high-level direction and guide your team through day-to-day execution, iteration, and feedback on VFX tasks and initiatives.
- Partner with artists, designers, and programmers to be a trusted champion of performance, efficiency, and quality.
- Inspire and mentor others as a role model of initiative, accountability, and attitude.
- Foster a thriving team with open communication, constructive feedback, and development opportunities.
- Hold a high bar for quality, execution, and accountability while fostering artist growth.
- Collaborate with Production to plan team goals, forecast milestone deliveries, and identify resource needs.
- Clearly communicate risks, mitigations, and updates while maintaining effective working relationships across the studio.
Player Profile
- 8+ total years of Visual Effects experience, with 2+ years in a Lead role, in real-time game development or equivalent experience in film/television.
- Lead by example with a passionate and egoless attitude that welcomes feedback and enjoys a collaborative, iterative, fast-moving and adaptive workflow.
- Ability to quickly learn new software and adapt to proprietary tools.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
- Expert experience with game development engines and particle effects tools (Unreal, Unity, or equivalent proprietary engines).
- Strong experience with relevant 2D and 3D software (Photoshop, After Effects, Maya, Max, Houdini, Substance Designer, EmberGen, or similar tools).
- Strong understanding and application of rigid body and fluid simulations, post-processing, and shader development for visual effects creation.
- Strong understanding of modern game VFX workflows and emerging industry trends.
- An inspiring reel demonstrating strong, realistic visual effects, modern development workflows, and creative solutions to development challenges.
Extra Points
- Experience working with the Call of Duty tools or other proprietary engines.
- Experience in a secondary area such as modeling, animation, or lighting.
- Experience with basic scripting.
- Experience with procedural workflows and tools.
- Understanding of real-time physics systems.
- Familiarity with performance optimization for console and PC.
- Passion for the Call of Duty franchise.
- Strong traditional art foundation.
Studio Culture
Founded in 1990 in Middleton, Wisconsin, Raven Software has grown from a small studio to a key player in the FPS genre, contributing to the Call of Duty franchise for 15 years. The studio culture is rooted in respect, collaboration, and a shared focus on what is best for the game, prioritizing ambition balanced with care, direct communication, and a culture free of egos.
Rewards and Benefits
Subject to eligibility requirements, the company offers a suite of benefits including:
- Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance, mental health & wellbeing programs, and fitness programs.
- Financial Planning: 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, and charitable donation matching.
- Time Off: Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, and parental leave.
- Additional Perks: Free and discounted games, and a variety of voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, and rental insurance.
- Relocation: Assistance may be provided if the company requires a geographic move.
Compensation
- Standard Base Pay Range: $99,200.00 - $183,520.00 Annual.
- Incentive Compensation: Employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation, which is not guaranteed.
- Negotiation: New hire compensation is negotiable based on relevant experience, performance, and work location.