FX Artist

THE THIRD FLOOR is the world’s leading visualization company with offices in Los Angeles and London as well as on location with productions around the world. Since 2004, the studio has helped clients visualize and maximize content by producing computer-animated blueprints, known as “previsualizations”. The Third Floor is a fun, creative company founded by artists, for artists. We work on extremely high-profile projects, while maintaining a small studio culture. The company has won multiple Emmy and VES awards for its work. Recent projects include Avatar: The Way of Water, House of the Dragon, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Guardians of the Galaxy 3, For All Mankind, Masters of the Air, and many more.

The Third Floor Los Angeles is looking for an FX Artist who will help produce final imagery for Long Form Animated Content in a stylized, cinema-quality. The ideal candidate will develop visual effects (fluids, fire, smoke, explosions, etc.) using Houdini, as well as other external packages for execution in Unreal for a variety of projects and platforms.

Project Based. Full Time. Remote Position ~ September 2025 - November 2025.

Must be in the state of California, Georgia, Texas, Oregon, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New York (Outside NYC), Colorado, Washington, or Canada for remote positions.

Responsibilities:

• Work in collaboration with the Character, Environment and Lighting artists to create effects that are relevant, and grounded in the environment.
• Create efficient, artistic, and compelling FX in Houdini, utilizing Unreal/other External Packages for execution.
• Work with Level Designers and Technical Artists to make VFX that are functional and efficient.
• Generate VFX documentation for the TTF real-time pipeline.
• Coordinate with Art, Design and Animation to ensure VFX vision and quality expectations are met.
• Troubleshoot VFX-related bug fixes and optimizations.
• Assist with R&D as it relates to creation of VFX for real-time productions at TTF.
• Stay current with industry real-time VFX techniques.

Requirements:

• Minimum 5 years’ experience as a VFX artist. Experience with video games and/or Feature Film is recommended.
• Strong understanding of particle systems, lighting, texture/UV animation, sprite animation, dynamics and simulations, & material setup.
• Able to paint VFX textures from scratch and match an established style.
• Savvy tech-mindset, capable of quick adaptation and a go-getter.
• Substantial games industry experience, including a VFX art credit on at least one published title.

Essential Skills:

• Experience with creating VFX for Unreal Engine.
• Excellent knowledge of Python, particularly Python for Maya.
• Experience with Houdini, Maya, and FumeFX (or similar fluid simulation system).
• Experience with fluid simulation in FumeFX (or similar).
• Experience with creating high quality VFX in Unreal, Houdini, and Maya.
• Experience working with Blueprint.
• A good balance between artistic and technical skills is a must.
• Traditional art or animation background, as well as experience creating and using real-time shaders is a plus.

The pay scale is between $30 - $70 / hour based on experience, skillset and other factors. Additional TTF benefits: Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision), Sick Time, 401k (staff only), PTO (staff only), and additional Perks & Benefits.

U.S. & Canada Applicants only: TTF participates in E-Verify and we will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All documents provided for proof of work authorization must be current and unexpired. We cannot accept expired proof of identity.

IMPORTANT: If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, TTF is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment.