[FULL-TIME][ON SITE SAN FRANCISCO, CA] Now Hiring: Full Stack VFX Artist

People you can reach out to:
clay@story.inc
maxie@story.inc

Full Stack VFX Artist
San Francisco, CA · Full-time · In-office (hybrid considered)

THE ROLE
Are you now or are you inspired to become a Full Stack VFX Artist, crafting from concept sketch to final render? Here’s your chance!
We’re looking for a VFX artist who can carry an element from pencil to final render — someone who can concept it, build it, animate it, and composite it into the final cut. Not a specialist in one slice of the pipeline, but an artist who wants to own the whole arc of a shot.
You’ll work primarily with Story’s Client team, occasionally being pulled in to help with a different creative project.
Some days that means sketching concepts or compositing. Others it means producing an asset from scratch — sometimes by hand, sometimes with generative tools, usually a mix of both. Most days it’s several stages of the pipeline at once.
You’ll be embedded in our internal team, working closely with directors, producers, and our existing VFX staff. We want someone who’s genuinely excited about finding the right technique for each stage of the work — whether that’s a time-tested workflow or an emerging tool!

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Shepherd VFX elements through the full pipeline — from concept and design through asset creation, animation, and final composite
Composite and integrate VFX elements across a range of project types and styles
Generate assets from scratch using whatever fits the shot — traditional techniques, generative video and image tools, or both
Use AI tools where they accelerate the work — cleanup, generation, enhancement
Collaborate closely with directors, editors, and motion designers to ensure VFX serve the final cut
Stay current on emerging tools and techniques and bring informed recommendations to the team
Manage your own files, organization, and delivery pipeline

KEY ATTRIBUTES

Deep understanding of traditional VFX and compositing — the fundamentals are the foundation
Comfort working at every stage of the pipeline, from rough concepts to final delivery
Hands-on experience with AI-driven tools: Runway, Sora, Kling, ComfyUI, and similar
Highly iterative mindset — we refine until it’s right, and that takes someone who embraces the process
Fast turnarounds without sacrificing quality
Genuinely curious about where the craft is heading — and already experimenting
Good communicator who works well across disciplines

HOW WE WORK
We move fast and we work hard. Projects are highly collaborative, and the quality bar is something we’re constantly trying to raise. You’ll be expected to juggle multiple projects at once without losing quality on any of them.
We’re a small team, which means your work actually matters and people notice it.

OUR TAKE ON AI
We believe in real people doing real work. AI has a place in this role — it’s one of the tools you’ll reach for at different stages of the pipeline — but the goal is always to serve the story, not show off the tool.
We’re excited about what these tools make possible, and we want someone who shares that philosophy: AI as accelerant, not replacement.

REQUIREMENTS

Strong portfolio with VFX and compositing work across multiple styles
Proficiency in After Effects, Nuke, and/or Blender
Hands-on experience with generative AI tools — Runway, Sora, ComfyUI, or similar
Ability to complete a trial project as part of the hiring process
Based in the SF Bay Area or willing to relocate

Prior professional experience and college degrees are not required — your work speaks for itself.

BENEFITS

Salary: $80,000 – $120,000 depending on experience
Work in a beautiful San Francisco office with a view alongside a small team of exceptional creatives
Free lunch

#J-18808-Ljbffr