Lead VFX Artist

About Turtle Rock

At Turtle Rock, we create the games we want to play. We are dedicated to providing a collaborative environment where our team members feel empowered with the creative freedom to contribute and grow. While we are based in Orange County, CA, we support flexible work arrangements ranging from in-studio, hybrid, to fully remote throughout North America. Join our award-winning game development team and help create our next hit title.

About the Role

We are looking for a Lead VFX Artist to be a part of our VFX team. The Lead VFX Artist will maintain consistency across the department by providing direction and feedback, ensuring all team members understand their role and expectations. The ideal candidate will seek opportunities to enhance the player experience, embrace and provide constructive feedback, guide the creative process, and drive the VFX process for game effects. This position reports to the Creative Director.

Responsibilities

• Lead the VFX team: maintain consistency across the department providing direction and feedback, ensuring all team members understand their role and expectations.
• Lead team meetings and relay important studio information.
• Work closely with the department manager to provide mentorship and coaching for VFX team members, including 1:1s, career development, performance evaluations, and goal setting.
• Guide the creative process and drive the concept process for game effects.
• Bring in-progress and prototype effects to completion.
• Work with Art Directors and art teams to ensure artistic unity across the game.
• Create real-time visual effects to enhance environments, characters, and combat.
• Work with designers, engineers, and other artists to create strong moment-to-moment gameplay.
• Collaborate with other team members to ensure assets meet performance, best practices, and art style parameters.
• Playtest with the studio and the VFX team to review and iterate VFX.

Requirements

• 7+ years of game experience in creating effects in game development with one or more shipped titles on multiple platforms.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in creating real-time effects.
• Self-driven, strong communication skills, and a positive attitude.
• Ability to problem-solve and prioritize issues while working with a team.
• Experience creating compelling, real-time effects using Photoshop, Maya, and/or in-game effects systems.
• Knowledgeable of 3D graphics, particle systems, physics, etc.
• Experience with UE5.
• Keen production sensibilities, ability to collaborate on timelines, and communicate with Production and team members on task duration and prioritization.
• Ability to maintain high quality and consistent progress.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and teaching skills.
• Strong ability to interpret and adapt to general and flexible direction; thrive in a highly collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Proficient in Maya, 3ds Max, or Blender.

Preferences

• Shipped one or more major titles on current generation/PC platforms as a Senior VFX artist.
• Experience with AAA First Person action titles.
• Previous leadership experience preferred, or senior/principal role in games environments.
• Experience working with shaders and materials.
• Familiarity with asset tracking and issue tracking tools such as Perforce and JIRA.
• Passion for games.

Benefits

• 100% Medical, Dental, Vision Coverage for you and your family.
• Retirement Savings Plan Matching.
• Career Improvement Plan.
• Flexible Work Arrangements - In-House, Hybrid, and Remote.
• Generous Time Off Policy.
• Company Events - In-Person + Virtual Events.
• Fully Stocked Kitchen + Sponsored Food Trucks.

Compensation

The estimated base pay range for this role is: $135,000 - $165,000 USD.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.