Lead VFX Artist

CD PROJEKT RED is seeking a Lead VFX Artist for Project Sirius, a multiplayer game in The Witcher universe. The role involves leading and mentoring a VFX team, designing real-time visual effects, fostering technical and artistic excellence, and collaborating with other disciplines. The ideal candidate will drive high-fidelity effects, shape team culture, and research new workflows to push boundaries in real-time VFX.

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

• Relocation package (flight ticket, company apartment for first month, pet and family relocation, shipping belongings).
• Relocation assistance (legalization operations, tax settlements).
• Polish lessons for foreign employees and their spouse/partner.
• Paid Leave (20 to 26 days of holiday per year, paid sick leave).
• Private medical healthcare (medical plans with dental care and unlimited rehabilitation).
• Life insurance (comprehensive pension and insurance plans).
• Annual screenings for cancer prevention covered by the company.
• Psychological and psychiatrist care (free mental health support and well-being initiatives).
• Sports card (access to sporting and fitness facilities).
• Menstrual leave (one extra day off for period pain).
• RED Parents Network (support for working parents, childcare benefits, family-friendly events).
• RED Summer Camp for Kids (fun summer program, majoritively paid by company).
• Welcome pack filled with goodies.
• Trainings, lectures, and courses (workshops, knowledge-sharing, online tutorials, e-learning).
• Access to cafeteria platform for subscription benefits, additional medical packages, vouchers/codes.
• Gifts for newborn rebels and regular chances to nab cool swag.
• Dog-friendly office.
• Regular social events at the studio.
• Healthy selections in canteens.
• Truly international working environment.
• Electric car charging points, green zones on campus.
• Designated space for bicycles, repair equipment, and showers.
• Onsite, well-equipped gym with climbing wall, daily Gym Assistant support, yoga and boxing classes.
• No dress-code.

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 Warsaw 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

Working mode

In-office in a hybrid or full-time capacity in Warsaw, Poland. Relocation is required.

Relocation Support

• Relocation package — flight ticket, company apartment for your first month, relocating your pet and family, shipping your belongings. It’s all covered.
• Relocation assistance — processing your legalization operations for you and  tax settlements — all you need to feel right at home is taken care of.
• Polish lessons for foreign employees — and for your spouse or partner, too.
• Paid Leave — from 20 to 26 days of holiday per year, and paid sick leave.

Health & Well-Being

• Private medical healthcare — a selection of medical plans with dental care and unlimited rehabilitation to choose from, which are also accessible for your partner and relatives.
• Life insurance — comprehensive pension and insurance plans to protect you and your loved ones.
• Annual screenings for cancer prevention covered by the company.
• Psychological and psychiatrist care — free mental health support and various well-being initiatives.
• Sports card — gain access to a wide number of sporting and fitness facilities across the city.
• 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.
• RED Summer Camp for Kids — a fun summer program for children aged 5–12, majoritively paid by the company.

Perks & Professional Growth

• A welcome pack filled with goodies — to help you feel right at home once you join the team.
• Trainings, lectures, and courses — workshops and trainings for each employee, knowledge-sharing initiatives, online tutorials, and e-learning classes are all available. There’s always something to learn!
• REDs have access to the cafeteria platform through which they can receive subscription benefits, additional medical packages or vouchers and codes to shops, cinemas, and public transport reimbursement.
• Gifts for newborn rebels and regular chances to nab some cool swag!

Social Activities & Life in the Office

• Dog-friendly office — dog owner? Bring your pooch with you and look after them while working! There’s always a furry friend or two to meet at the studio.
• Social events — we host regular gatherings at the studio where we can all unwind, play games, and just have some fun together.
• Healthy selections — ​​canteens.
• Truly international working environment — a chance to meet and work with a diverse selection of people from all around the world.
• Sustainability is an ongoing commitment for us, and our campus has  electric car charging points, green zones, and much more. Read all about it on our Beyond the Game Blog

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• A designated space for your bicycle, as well as bicycle repair equipment and showers available whenever you need them.
• An onsite, well-equipped gym with a climbing wall, daily Gym Assistant support, and yoga and boxing classes.
• No dress-code — we like to keep it casual.

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