Lead VFX Artist

Insomniac Games is searching for a Lead Visual Effects Artist. The Lead VFX Artist is responsible for managing and developing a visual effects team. Has the knowledge and experience of creating art assets and sets an example for the team by demonstrating a mastery of industry standards and tools, proprietary technology, and departmental production workflows. Has a proven understanding of production schedules and project goals, along with game performance, and technical considerations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Balance hands‑on VFX asset creation with day‑to‑day team leadership and management of the VFX team.

Partner closely with Principal VFX Artist to plan, create and test content creation and pipelines before deploying to the development team.

Oversee and support external VFX partners, ensuring they are properly onboarded to style and technical standards and that their deliveries meet quality expectations.

Collaborate with Production Management to scope and estimate work, build schedules, assign tasks and track progress for VFX deliverables.

Works closely with Art Directors to develop visual targets, maintain a cohesive visual style and consistent quality bar across all aspects in VFX.

Review VFX artists’ work to ensure VFX content is performant aesthetically and technically that is aligned with Art Direction.

Collaborate with multiple disciplines to support gameplay, characters, cinematics, environments with VFX requirements.

Coordinate with cross‑disciplinary teams to ensure VFX assets are delivered on time and integrated smoothly into the game.

Works closely with the Tool and Engine team to aid in the ongoing evolution and enhancements of proprietary tools and engine to improve and enhance VFX fidelity.

Champion and implement new production methods, best practices, and optimizations to improve efficiency and in‑game performance.

Ensures that all complaints and concerns related to inappropriate or unprofessional conduct in the workplace are addressed immediately to foster a safe work environment.

Lead, mentor, and develop a team of VFX artists, including consistent quality bar, goal‑setting and performance reviews.

Supervisory Duties

Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.

Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Computer Skills

Advanced level in Houdini and Maya: expert understanding of these DCC visual effects packages, competent working with joints and locators, animation/keyframing, rigid‑body and fluid simulations, materials, shaders, lighting and rendering.

3D modeling and procedural modeling/UV’ing skills are a must.

Strong knowledge and experience with modern game engines/editors such as Unreal, Unity, proprietary, etc.

Proficient with real‑time particle‑editors and VFX systems such as Unreal’s Niagara, PopcornFX, etc.

Advance understanding of complex node‑based shader networks such as those used in Unreal, Unity, etc.

Familiarity with game scripting and/or node‑based systems (e.g. Unreal Blueprint, etc).

Have strong grasp of technical scripting, programming and expressions pertaining to DCC and graphics: e.g. MEL, Python, Houdini VEX, HLSL Shaders, etc.

Proficient in Photoshop for painting and editing textures.

Strong knowledge of procedural texture generation software (e.g. Substance Designer, Filter‑Forge, After‑Effects, etc).

Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.

Knowledge of other visual effects or CG software a plus (e.g. Blender, Nuke, etc).

If this sounds like the opportunity that you have been looking for, please submit your application below.

Compensation
Base pay range: $153,000 - $230,400 USD. In addition, this role is eligible for SIE’s top‑tier benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), paid time off, wellness program and coveted employee discounts for Sony products. This role also may be eligible for a bonus package.

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