VFX Artist Job at First Fun in Santa Clara
First Fun, Santa Clara, CA, United States
As a core member of our lean, highly collaborative art team, you will take extreme ownership of the visual effects pipeline. You will be responsible for setting the visual and technical quality bar for all in-game effects. You will design and implement sleek, dynamic effects that add atmosphere, communicate gameplay, and breathe life into our world—all while strictly adhering to mobile performance budgets.
Key Responsibilities
Game Feedback & VFX Design
Design core feedback loops to enhance combat "impact" and gameplay readability.
Control visual layering, rhythm, and timing to ensure clarity during fast-paced action.
UI Motion & Particles
Create high-quality UI motion graphics and particle effects that guide player's attention.
Ensure UI effects receive the same level of polish as combat and environmental VFX.
VFX Library & Efficiency
Build and manage a highly parameterizable VFX library in Unity for rapid iteration.
Maximize production efficiency through intelligent reuse and modularization of assets.
Engine Implementation & Optimization
Author and integrate VFX directly into Unity while maintaining strict performance budgets.
Proactively manage technical bottlenecks: overdraw, particle counts, and texture memory.
AI-Native Workflow
Leverage AI tools to accelerate texture generation and initial concept prototyping.
Refine AI-generated outputs to ensure strict stylistic consistency and production quality.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with TA, Design, and Engineering to establish robust, scalable VFX workflows.
Troubleshoot complex production issues to ensure VFX seamlessly enhances the game design.
Requirement
Artistic Style: A strong portfolio demonstrating a mastery of stylized, impactful real-time VFX, specifically suited for a Western cartoon military aesthetic (emphasizing clear shapes, snappy timing, and vibrant colors).
Unity Expertise: Proficient with modern Unity game engine VFX tools, real-time particle systems, and node-based shader networks.
Technical & Performance Awareness: Deep, practical knowledge of mobile platform limitations and industrial production standards. You must be able to stay within tight performance budgets without sacrificing visual impact.
Asset Creation Mastery: Strong 3D modeling and UV’ing skills using DCC packages (Maya, Blender, etc.) for custom VFX meshes, alongside proficiency in Photoshop or procedural tools for texture generation.
Communication & Adaptability: Exceptional troubleshooting and interpersonal skills. The ability to thrive in a flat structure, drive initiatives independently to completion, and seamlessly collaborate across disciplines.
Version Control: Advanced knowledge of Git, Perforce, or other version control software used in collaborative game development.
Preferred Qualification
Advanced DCC & Simulations: Advanced experience with software like Houdini; competent in performing rigid-body, fluid, or pyro simulations and baking them down for optimized real-time mobile use.
Post-Production & Motion Graphics: Professional experience with Adobe After Effects (AE) or other film/post-production VFX tools.
Technical Scripting: Strong understanding of scripting, programming concepts, or expressions (e.g., C#, Python, HLSL Shaders).
Advanced AI Workflows: Experience refining AI workflows specifically for generating VFX textures, materials, or custom LoRA models.
What We Offer
Work on fun, stylized Unity mobile games
A creative environment that respects traditional art skills while embracing new tools
A collaborative, friendly team with clear communication
Room to grow, experiment, and improve your craft
*Please note that a VFX Art Test will be required following the initial HR screening.
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Key Responsibilities
Game Feedback & VFX Design
Design core feedback loops to enhance combat "impact" and gameplay readability.
Control visual layering, rhythm, and timing to ensure clarity during fast-paced action.
UI Motion & Particles
Create high-quality UI motion graphics and particle effects that guide player's attention.
Ensure UI effects receive the same level of polish as combat and environmental VFX.
VFX Library & Efficiency
Build and manage a highly parameterizable VFX library in Unity for rapid iteration.
Maximize production efficiency through intelligent reuse and modularization of assets.
Engine Implementation & Optimization
Author and integrate VFX directly into Unity while maintaining strict performance budgets.
Proactively manage technical bottlenecks: overdraw, particle counts, and texture memory.
AI-Native Workflow
Leverage AI tools to accelerate texture generation and initial concept prototyping.
Refine AI-generated outputs to ensure strict stylistic consistency and production quality.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with TA, Design, and Engineering to establish robust, scalable VFX workflows.
Troubleshoot complex production issues to ensure VFX seamlessly enhances the game design.
Requirement
Artistic Style: A strong portfolio demonstrating a mastery of stylized, impactful real-time VFX, specifically suited for a Western cartoon military aesthetic (emphasizing clear shapes, snappy timing, and vibrant colors).
Unity Expertise: Proficient with modern Unity game engine VFX tools, real-time particle systems, and node-based shader networks.
Technical & Performance Awareness: Deep, practical knowledge of mobile platform limitations and industrial production standards. You must be able to stay within tight performance budgets without sacrificing visual impact.
Asset Creation Mastery: Strong 3D modeling and UV’ing skills using DCC packages (Maya, Blender, etc.) for custom VFX meshes, alongside proficiency in Photoshop or procedural tools for texture generation.
Communication & Adaptability: Exceptional troubleshooting and interpersonal skills. The ability to thrive in a flat structure, drive initiatives independently to completion, and seamlessly collaborate across disciplines.
Version Control: Advanced knowledge of Git, Perforce, or other version control software used in collaborative game development.
Preferred Qualification
Advanced DCC & Simulations: Advanced experience with software like Houdini; competent in performing rigid-body, fluid, or pyro simulations and baking them down for optimized real-time mobile use.
Post-Production & Motion Graphics: Professional experience with Adobe After Effects (AE) or other film/post-production VFX tools.
Technical Scripting: Strong understanding of scripting, programming concepts, or expressions (e.g., C#, Python, HLSL Shaders).
Advanced AI Workflows: Experience refining AI workflows specifically for generating VFX textures, materials, or custom LoRA models.
What We Offer
Work on fun, stylized Unity mobile games
A creative environment that respects traditional art skills while embracing new tools
A collaborative, friendly team with clear communication
Room to grow, experiment, and improve your craft
*Please note that a VFX Art Test will be required following the initial HR screening.
#J-18808-Ljbffr