Lead VFX Artist

TL;DR

Lead VFX Artist (UE5): Lead the VFX team and drive real-time visual effects for environments, characters, and combat with an accent on consistency across the department and completing in-progress/prototype effects. Focus on guiding the creative process, mentoring artists, and collaborating with art, design, and engineering to deliver performant, art-style-aligned VFX.

Location: Flexible work arrangements across North America (in-studio, hybrid, or fully remote)

Salary: $135,000 - $165,000 USD

Company

hirify.global develops award-winning games and supports flexible work arrangements across North America.

What you will do

• Lead the VFX team by providing direction, feedback, and clear expectations to maintain department consistency.
• Run team meetings and communicate key studio information when needed.
• Mentor and coach VFX team members through 1:1s, career development, performance evaluations, and goal setting.
• Drive the creative process for game effects, bringing in-progress and prototype effects to completion.
• Collaborate with Art Directors, designers, engineers, and other artists to ensure artistic unity and strong moment-to-moment gameplay.
• Playtest with the studio and VFX team to review and iterate VFX.

Requirements

• 7+ years of game experience creating effects with one or more shipped titles on multiple platforms.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in real-time effects.
• Experience creating compelling real-time effects using Photoshop, Maya, and/or in-game effects systems.
• Knowledge of 3D graphics, particle systems, and physics.
• Experience with UE5.
• Proficiency in Maya, 3ds Max, or Blender.

Nice to have

• Shipped major titles on current generation/PC platforms as a Senior VFX artist.
• Experience with AAA first-person action titles.
• Previous leadership experience or senior/principal role in game environments.
• Experience working with shaders and materials.
• Familiarity with asset tracking and issue tracking tools such as Perforce and JIRA.

Culture & Benefits

• Flexible work arrangements: in-house, hybrid, and remote.
• 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Retirement savings plan with matching.
• Generous time off policy and career improvement plan.
• Company events (in-person and virtual) plus a fully stocked kitchen and sponsored food trucks.

Hiring process

• Application review followed by interviews to assess leadership, VFX craft, and collaboration fit.
• Portfolio and experience evaluation focused on real-time effects and shipped work.