Santa Monica Studio
Why PlayStation?
PlayStation isn’t just the Best Place to Play — it’s also the Best Place to Work. Today, we’re recognized as a global leader in entertainment producing the PlayStation family of products and services, including PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®VR, PlayStation®Plus, and acclaimed PlayStation software titles from PlayStation Studios. PlayStation also strives to create an inclusive environment that empowers employees and embraces diversity. The PlayStation brand falls under Sony Interactive Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation.
Join the award-winning team that created God of War.
Santa Monica Studio is seeking an experienced VFX Artist for the development of a new unannounced title with a specialized focus on creating groundbreaking visual effects systems, tools, and workflows that push our VFX capabilities to industry-leading levels for both cinematics and gameplay.
Role Summary.
As a Senior Staff VFX Artist, you will serve as a technical and creative leader, collaborating with and mentoring a wide range of development team members outside of your direct discipline—including Art Directors, VFX Supervisors, Technical Artists, Animators, Engineers, Designers, and Producers—to achieve artistic excellence and technical innovation.
Responsibilities
Create world‑class visual effects that set new industry standards, spanning from intricate environmental effects to large‑scale cinematic sequences.
Lead the development of advanced VFX workflows and pipeline tools using Maya, Houdini, Python, MEL, and other industry‑standard technologies.
Pioneer cutting‑edge simulation techniques, including real‑time 3D fluids, advanced smoke and fluid simulation, and interactive character space effects.
Drive technical evolution initiatives focused on real‑time simulation architectures, voxel‑based systems, and Houdini‑to‑engine integration workflows.
Develop innovative solutions for visual fidelity challenges, such as combating upscaling‑induced VFX degradation and maintaining high‑resolution effect preservation.
Model, texture, animate, and optimize visual effects using Maya within our proprietary engine pipeline, ensuring seamless integration with existing art pipelines.
Lead strategic technical conversations with cross‑disciplinary teams, driving innovation in interactive VFX systems.
Partner with Design, Narrative, and Cinematics teams to ensure visual effects serve both storytelling and mechanical purposes.
Serve as a thought leader, mentoring VFX artists and technical artists to foster knowledge sharing and best practices.
Collaborate with Production to develop comprehensive task frameworks and clearly communicate technical concepts.
Take ownership of specialized VFX domains and R&D efforts, researching and prototyping cutting‑edge techniques.
Requirements
8+ years of professional experience in visual effects creation for interactive media with demonstrated leadership in VFX systems, tools, and workflows for AAA game development.
Expert proficiency in Maya for all aspects of VFX creation, including modeling, texturing, animation, rigging, and pipeline integration.
Advanced Houdini expertise, proven experience in real‑time simulation development, 3D fluid systems, and production‑ready HDAs.
Advanced programming and scripting capabilities in Python, MEL, VEX, and other relevant languages for tool development and pipeline automation.
Deep understanding of real‑time simulation architectures and interactive particle dynamics.
Comprehensive knowledge of real‑time rendering principles, shader development, and game engine integration.
Exceptional artistic vision and technical problem‑solving skills with a focus on visually stunning effects.
Proven leadership and mentorship experience with demonstrated success in guiding teams and driving innovation initiatives.
Outstanding communication and organizational abilities across multiple departments.
Self‑motivated with the ability to balance hands‑on creative work and technical leadership while managing multiple priorities.
Preferred Experience
Shipped AAA game(s) with significant contribution to award‑winning VFX systems.
Specialized experience in interactive environmental systems such as reactive snow, mud, foliage, debris, and other immersive character space effects.
Advanced knowledge of voxel‑based rendering techniques and volumetric simulation systems.
Experience with graphics programming and optimization, including HLSL/GLSL shader development and GPU compute shaders.
Proven track record in technical leadership roles, mentoring senior team members, and establishing technical vision.
Experience with version control systems, build systems, and collaborative development tools within AAA production environments.
Understanding of engine integration, keyframe animation principles, and cinematographic techniques that enhance VFX storytelling.
Background in film/TV VFX or research environments with transferable skills in high‑end simulation techniques.
Experience with emerging rendering technologies such as ray tracing, machine learning applications in VFX, or neural upscaling solutions.
Avoid Recruitment Scams/Phishing Attempts:
Any official outreach will always come from a @sony.com email address. Report any other emails as phishing.
At SIE, base pay ranges are determined by market data and location. This role may also be eligible for a bonus package. Base pay range: $143,700—$215,500 USD.
Equal Opportunity Statement:
Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, religion, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, trade union membership or any other legally protected category. We strive to create an inclusive environment and encourage everyone to apply.
PlayStation is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.
Enjoy a top‑tier benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), paid time off, wellness program, and employee discounts for Sony products.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
PlayStation isn’t just the Best Place to Play — it’s also the Best Place to Work. Today, we’re recognized as a global leader in entertainment producing the PlayStation family of products and services, including PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®VR, PlayStation®Plus, and acclaimed PlayStation software titles from PlayStation Studios. PlayStation also strives to create an inclusive environment that empowers employees and embraces diversity. The PlayStation brand falls under Sony Interactive Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation.
Join the award-winning team that created God of War.
Santa Monica Studio is seeking an experienced VFX Artist for the development of a new unannounced title with a specialized focus on creating groundbreaking visual effects systems, tools, and workflows that push our VFX capabilities to industry-leading levels for both cinematics and gameplay.
Role Summary.
As a Senior Staff VFX Artist, you will serve as a technical and creative leader, collaborating with and mentoring a wide range of development team members outside of your direct discipline—including Art Directors, VFX Supervisors, Technical Artists, Animators, Engineers, Designers, and Producers—to achieve artistic excellence and technical innovation.
Responsibilities
Create world‑class visual effects that set new industry standards, spanning from intricate environmental effects to large‑scale cinematic sequences.
Lead the development of advanced VFX workflows and pipeline tools using Maya, Houdini, Python, MEL, and other industry‑standard technologies.
Pioneer cutting‑edge simulation techniques, including real‑time 3D fluids, advanced smoke and fluid simulation, and interactive character space effects.
Drive technical evolution initiatives focused on real‑time simulation architectures, voxel‑based systems, and Houdini‑to‑engine integration workflows.
Develop innovative solutions for visual fidelity challenges, such as combating upscaling‑induced VFX degradation and maintaining high‑resolution effect preservation.
Model, texture, animate, and optimize visual effects using Maya within our proprietary engine pipeline, ensuring seamless integration with existing art pipelines.
Lead strategic technical conversations with cross‑disciplinary teams, driving innovation in interactive VFX systems.
Partner with Design, Narrative, and Cinematics teams to ensure visual effects serve both storytelling and mechanical purposes.
Serve as a thought leader, mentoring VFX artists and technical artists to foster knowledge sharing and best practices.
Collaborate with Production to develop comprehensive task frameworks and clearly communicate technical concepts.
Take ownership of specialized VFX domains and R&D efforts, researching and prototyping cutting‑edge techniques.
Requirements
8+ years of professional experience in visual effects creation for interactive media with demonstrated leadership in VFX systems, tools, and workflows for AAA game development.
Expert proficiency in Maya for all aspects of VFX creation, including modeling, texturing, animation, rigging, and pipeline integration.
Advanced Houdini expertise, proven experience in real‑time simulation development, 3D fluid systems, and production‑ready HDAs.
Advanced programming and scripting capabilities in Python, MEL, VEX, and other relevant languages for tool development and pipeline automation.
Deep understanding of real‑time simulation architectures and interactive particle dynamics.
Comprehensive knowledge of real‑time rendering principles, shader development, and game engine integration.
Exceptional artistic vision and technical problem‑solving skills with a focus on visually stunning effects.
Proven leadership and mentorship experience with demonstrated success in guiding teams and driving innovation initiatives.
Outstanding communication and organizational abilities across multiple departments.
Self‑motivated with the ability to balance hands‑on creative work and technical leadership while managing multiple priorities.
Preferred Experience
Shipped AAA game(s) with significant contribution to award‑winning VFX systems.
Specialized experience in interactive environmental systems such as reactive snow, mud, foliage, debris, and other immersive character space effects.
Advanced knowledge of voxel‑based rendering techniques and volumetric simulation systems.
Experience with graphics programming and optimization, including HLSL/GLSL shader development and GPU compute shaders.
Proven track record in technical leadership roles, mentoring senior team members, and establishing technical vision.
Experience with version control systems, build systems, and collaborative development tools within AAA production environments.
Understanding of engine integration, keyframe animation principles, and cinematographic techniques that enhance VFX storytelling.
Background in film/TV VFX or research environments with transferable skills in high‑end simulation techniques.
Experience with emerging rendering technologies such as ray tracing, machine learning applications in VFX, or neural upscaling solutions.
Avoid Recruitment Scams/Phishing Attempts:
Any official outreach will always come from a @sony.com email address. Report any other emails as phishing.
At SIE, base pay ranges are determined by market data and location. This role may also be eligible for a bonus package. Base pay range: $143,700—$215,500 USD.
Equal Opportunity Statement:
Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, religion, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, trade union membership or any other legally protected category. We strive to create an inclusive environment and encourage everyone to apply.
PlayStation is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.
Enjoy a top‑tier benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), paid time off, wellness program, and employee discounts for Sony products.
#J-18808-Ljbffr