Lead VFX Artist

CD PROJEKT RED is seeking a Lead VFX Artist for Project Sirius, a multiplayer game in The Witcher universe. The role requires strong leadership, deep technical and artistic skills, and a passion for world-class visual effects that enhance storytelling and gameplay. The Lead VFX Artist will drive the next generation of high-fidelity effects and foster a creative, trusting, and respectful team culture. This position is hybrid in the Boston Studio.

Must Have

• Lead and mentor a team of skilled VFX Artists
• Design and implement impactful real-time VFX
• Foster technical excellence and artistic creativity across the VFX pipeline
• Guide team members on setting meaningful goals, career growth, and performance
• Collaborate with other disciplines—gameplay, cinematics, environments
• Research and prototype new workflows, tools, and techniques
• Ensure all VFX content is performant, optimized, and within technical constraints
• Oversee external collaboration: prepare briefs, review outsourced work, and maintain high-quality standards
• Coordinate with Directors and Production to align VFX planning with milestones and timelines
• Help maintain an efficient and scalable production pipeline
• 8+ years of experience as a VFX Artist in game development
• Shipped at least one AAA title as a Lead VFX Artist or in a comparable senior leadership role
• Proven track record in a leadership role within a creative environment
• Deep expertise in Unreal Engine 5 and real-time VFX development
• Strong proficiency in real-time and baked simulations
• Solid knowledge of VFX pipelines and tools—including SideFX Houdini
• Understanding of PBR workflows, shaders, real-time rendering, and lighting
• Advanced skills in performance optimization and debugging
• Ability to independently lead high-impact initiatives and solve complex challenges
• Excellent communication, presentation, and cross-functional collaboration skills
• A strong portfolio showcasing mastery in VFX for games is required

Perks & Benefits

• Company-paid medical healthcare (dental, vision, and mental)
• Free mental health support, including access to counseling, psychiatric care, and well-being webinars
• Paid leave — 26 days of holiday per year
• 401K with employer matching
• Gym Membership Reimbursement
• Menstrual leave — one extra day off for period pain
• RED Parents Network — support for working parents, childcare benefits, and family-friendly events
• Flexible working hours
• Trainings, lectures, and courses — internal workshops, knowledge-sharing initiatives, online tutorials, and e-learning classes
• A welcome pack filled with goodies
• Dog-friendly office
• Truly international working environment
• No dress-code

Company Description

To create revolutionary, story-driven RPGs which go straight to the hearts of gamers — this is our mission. Want to dive deeper into our company’s culture? Explore our social media and check out our YouTube channel and Beyond the Game Blog where we share behind-the-scenes insights and stories direct from our team members!

Job Description

CD PROJEKT RED is on the lookout for a Lead VFX Artist to join our studio and help bring to life Project Sirius—a multiplayer game set in The Witcher universe. We’re searching for someone with strong leadership capabilities, deep technical and artistic skills, and a passion for delivering world-class visual effects that elevate storytelling and gameplay. As a Lead VFX Artist, you'll play a key role in driving the next generation of high-fidelity effects in our games, while also shaping a team culture grounded in creativity, trust, and respect.

(This position requires working in our Boston Studio. Hybrid working mode available)

Daily Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of skilled VFX Artists, supporting their development and championing a collaborative, inclusive environment.
• Design and implement impactful real-time VFX that support a wide range of in-game moments and player experiences.
• Foster technical excellence and artistic creativity across the VFX pipeline.
• Guide team members on setting meaningful goals, career growth, and performance.
• Collaborate with other disciplines—gameplay, cinematics, environments—to deliver impactful and immersive visuals.
• Research and prototype new workflows, tools, and techniques to push the boundaries of real-time VFX.
• Ensure all VFX content is performant, optimized, and within technical constraints.
• Oversee external collaboration: prepare briefs, review outsourced work, and maintain high-quality standards.
• Coordinate with Directors and Production to align VFX planning with milestones and timelines.
• Help maintain an efficient and scalable production pipeline.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience as a VFX Artist in game development.
• Shipped at least one AAA title as a Lead VFX Artist or in a comparable senior leadership role.
• Proven track record in a leadership role within a creative environment – someone who has mentored others, influenced project direction, and supported team growth.
• Deep expertise in Unreal Engine 5 and real-time VFX development.
• Strong proficiency in real-time and baked simulations.
• Solid knowledge of VFX pipelines and tools—including SideFX Houdini.
• Understanding of PBR workflows, shaders, real-time rendering, and lighting.
• Advanced skills in performance optimization and debugging.
• Ability to independently lead high-impact initiatives and solve complex challenges.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• A strong portfolio showcasing mastery in VFX for games is required.

Candidates should include a portfolio in their application. Applications without a portfolio will not be considered.

Additional Information

The application window for this position will close by 05/31/2026.

**This job requires working in Boston, US.

Working mode: in-office in a hybrid or full-time capacity.**

Remote roles in the US are only available to candidates that reside in the following states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin.

Health & Well-Being

• Company-paid medical healthcare (dental, vision, and mental).
• Free mental health support, including access to counseling, psychiatric care, and a variety of well-being webinars.
• Paid leave — 26 days of holiday per year.
• 401K with employer matching.
• Gym Membership Reimbursement.
• Menstrual leave — employees who menstruate can take one extra day off when experiencing period pain.
• RED Parents Network — support for working parents, including childcare benefits, and family-friendly events.

Perks & Professional Growth

• Flexible working hours.
• Trainings, lectures, and courses — internal workshops, knowledge-sharing initiatives, online tutorials, and e-learning classes are all available.
• A welcome pack filled with goodies — to help you feel right at home once you join the team.

Life in the Office

• Dog-friendly office — bring your pooch with you and look after them while working! There’s always a furry friend or two to meet.
• Truly international working environment — a chance to meet and work with a diverse selection of people from all around the world.
• No dress-code — we like to keep it casual.

This position is a new role.

Estimated pay range for this position: $158 900 - $218 500 USD annually

This role may also be eligible for discretionary stock options.

At CD PROJEKT RED compensation for our roles in North America are determined based on competitive market data, geographic location, and individual factors tied to business needs. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. Final offers are dependent on job-related factors like experience, qualifications, and location.

If you've observed any irregularities (i.e. legal or ethical violations) in our recruitment process, please click here to report them anonymously.

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