Senior Visual Effects Artist

2 Months ago • 4-8 Years • Technical Art • $138,200 PA - $207,200 PA

Job Summary

Job Description

The Senior VFX Artist at PlayStation will design, implement, and optimize high-quality, photorealistic visual effects for gameplay, environments, and cinematics. Responsibilities include creating real-time effects using 2D/3D elements, implementing VFX across game areas, creating VFX textures and shaders, optimizing for performance, collaborating with other departments, and working with the Art Director to maintain VFX art direction. The role requires proficiency in Houdini, Maya, Unreal Engine, and other VFX tools. The artist will also prototype VFX concepts, guide external development partners, and potentially mentor junior artists. The position demands a strong understanding of visual effects principles, technical skills, and collaborative spirit.
Must have:
  • Proficient in Houdini and Maya
  • Experience with game engines (Unreal, Unity)
  • Real-time particle editor proficiency
  • Complex node-based shader networks
  • VFX texture and shader creation
  • Collaboration and communication skills
Good to have:
  • Knowledge of other VFX software (Blender, Nuke)
  • Experience with game scripting (Unreal Blueprint)
  • Procedural texture generation skills
  • Solid traditional arts background
Perks:
  • Medical, dental, vision
  • Matching 401(k)
  • Paid time off
  • Wellness program
  • Sony product discounts
  • Bonus package
  • Profit sharing

Job Details

Why PlayStation?

PlayStation isn’t just the Best Place to Play — it’s also the Best Place to Work. Today, we’re recognized as a global leader in entertainment producing The PlayStation family of products and services including PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®VR, PlayStation®Plus, acclaimed PlayStation software titles from PlayStation Studios, and more.

PlayStation also strives to create an inclusive environment that empowers employees and embraces diversity. We welcome and encourage everyone who has a passion and curiosity for innovation, technology, and play to explore our open positions and join our growing global team.

The PlayStation brand falls under Sony Interactive Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation.

The Senior VFX Artist is a proven expert in crafting high-quality, photorealistic visual effects for gameplay, environments, and cinematics. They design, implement, and optimize real-time effects, VFX textures, and shaders while collaborating across departments to ensure seamless integration into the game engine. Skilled in Houdini, Embergen, and other VFX tools, they orchestrate complex, layered effects, refine internal workflows, and guide external development partners. With a keen eye for artistic direction and technical performance, they push visual fidelity while maintaining efficiency.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

  • Creates, designs, and implements real-time effects using both static and animating 2D/3D elements.
  • Implement VFX across all areas of the game, including environmental and gameplay VFX, and cinematics.
  • Creates VFX textures (albedo, normal, specular, roughness, ambient occlusion, height, and emissive maps).
  • Creates VFX shaders with node-based shader networks.
  • Creates geometry and UV sets.
  • Optimizes VFX for framerate and memory.
  • Collaborates with other departments to ensure that VFX are implemented appropriately in the game engine.
  • Works with Art Director to help create and maintain VFX art direction for game.
  • Understands and adds to the overall art style of game.
  • Orchestrates complex VFX events involving layering and timing of different VFX to create a believable scene.
  • Evaluates and experiments with techniques and art programs to improve efficiency, workflow, or visuals in game.
  • Creates VFX assets such as simulated models or textures for gameplay using DCC applications such as Houdini, Maya, or other equivalent software.
  • Prototypes VFX concepts for gameplay and engine.
  • Helps guide further development of internal effects editing tools and pipeline workflows.
  • Work with, train, and guide external development partners.
  • Works under time constraints in a rapid production environment.
  • Works both autonomously with little direction, or in a group setting as a proactive contributor in leading and driving game-dev initiatives with others.
  • Other duties may be assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This job has no supervisory responsibilities, but may mentor tutor, and aid more junior artists to improve workflow, efficiency, aesthetics, and pipeline.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Computer Skills:

  • Highly proficient in Houdini and Maya: excellent 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.
  • Highly proficient in 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).

Other Skills: Good team skills, collaborative attitude, good observation skills and ability to use reference materials. Ability to work independently and self-directs. Proficient Animation and timing skills. Solid traditional arts background a plus.

Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice for more information about how we process your personal information, and your data protection rights.

At SIE, we consider several factors when setting each role’s base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location.

Base pay is one component of our total compensation package. Please note that the base pay range may vary in line with our hybrid working policy and individual base pay will be determined based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location, as well as additional compensation components, such as annual bonus, profit sharing, and other incentive plans.

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. Click here to learn more.

Profit Sharing (PSS Only)

$138,200 — $207,200 USD

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.

We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.

PlayStation is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.

Similar Jobs

Epic Games - Senior Pipeline Developer

Epic Games

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (On-Site)
4 Months ago
Blazing griffin - 3D Artist Mid to Senior Level (Games)

Blazing griffin

Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom (Hybrid)
5 Months ago
Scanline VFX - Lead Software Engineer

Scanline VFX

Los Angeles, California, United States (Remote)
7 Months ago
Donkey crew - Technical Artist

Donkey crew

Wrocław, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Poland (Hybrid)
1 Month ago
DNEG - Project Coordinator

DNEG

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India (On-Site)
6 Months ago
Red Games Co - Senior Production Artist

Red Games Co

Utah, United States (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Cloud Chamber - Temporary Senior Lighting Artist

Cloud Chamber

Montréal, Québec, Canada (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Frontier Developments - Experienced Technical Artist

Frontier Developments

Cambridge, England, United Kingdom (Hybrid)
4 Months ago
ARVORE Immersive Experiences - Tech Artist

ARVORE Immersive Experiences

São Paulo, State Of São Paulo, Brazil (Remote)
1 Month ago
PlayStation Global - Character Artist (Contract)

PlayStation Global

Los Angeles, California, United States (On-Site)
10 Months ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Similar Skill Jobs

The Walt Disney Company - Supervising Animator

The Walt Disney Company

Bristol, Connecticut, United States (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Escape Velocity Entertainment - Principal UI Artist - Outsourcing

Escape Velocity Entertainment

(Remote)
2 Months ago
Scanline VFX - Senior Pipeline Developer (Maya)

Scanline VFX

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Remote)
7 Months ago
Electronic Arts - Audio Artist III

Electronic Arts

Montreal, Quebec, Canada (On-Site)
1 Month ago
G5 Games - Creative Producer

G5 Games

Tbilisi, Tbilisi, Georgia (Remote)
1 Month ago
Scanline VFX - Senior Pipeline Developer (Maya)

Scanline VFX

Seoul, South Korea (Hybrid)
7 Months ago
Techland - Gameplay Animator

Techland

Wrocław, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Poland (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Playrix - Principal VFX Artist

Playrix

Cyprus (Remote)
7 Months ago
The Embassy - Pipeline TD

The Embassy

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Hybrid)
3 Months ago
Naughty Dog - Senior Technical Artist

Naughty Dog

Santa Monica, California, United States (Hybrid)
1 Month ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Jobs in California, United States

Google - Group Product Manager, Ads

Google

Irvine, California, United States (On-Site)
1 Month ago
CD PROJEKT RED - Lead 3D Character Artist

CD PROJEKT RED

Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Remote)
2 Months ago
The Orchard - Future Roles

The Orchard

New York, United States (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Attentive - Senior Product Manager, RCS Business Messaging

Attentive

New York, New York, United States (Hybrid)
1 Month ago
Christ Fellowship - Production Manager

Christ Fellowship

Florida, United States (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Google - PhD Software Engineer

Google

Sunnyvale, California, United States (On-Site)
1 Month ago
TransUnion - FP&A Manager

TransUnion

Reston, Virginia, United States (Hybrid)
4 Weeks ago
Perplexity AI - Developer Relations Manager

Perplexity AI

San Francisco, California, United States (On-Site)
1 Month ago
ByteDance - Senior Software Engineer - Developer Infrastructure

ByteDance

San Jose, California, United States (On-Site)
2 Months ago
Alten Technology USA - HVAC Systems Performance Engineer

Alten Technology USA

Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States (On-Site)
1 Month ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Technical Art Jobs

Ubisoft - Lead Technical Artist

Ubisoft

Annecy, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France (On-Site)
2 Months ago
Lighthouse Games - Lead VFX Artist

Lighthouse Games

England, United Kingdom (Hybrid)
2 Months ago
Remedy Entertainment Plc - Lighting Artist

Remedy Entertainment Plc

Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland (On-Site)
6 Months ago
Room 8 Studio - Unreal Engine Cinematic Artist (Trailer Production)

Room 8 Studio

Czechia (On-Site)
7 Months ago
Fuse Games - Distributed Development Artist

Fuse Games

England, United Kingdom (Hybrid)
2 Months ago
Insomniac Games - Senior Visual Effects Artist

Insomniac Games

United States (Remote)
2 Months ago
Wargaming - Lead Environment Artist (World of Tanks)

Wargaming

Prague, Prague, Czechia (On-Site)
1 Month ago
PlayStation Global - Environment Artist

PlayStation Global

Los Angeles, California, United States (On-Site)
2 Months ago
CD PROJEKT RED - Lead 3D Character Artist

CD PROJEKT RED

Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Remote)
2 Months ago
Ubisoft - 3D Animator

Ubisoft

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain (On-Site)
1 Month ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

About The Company

Want to take your career to the next level? Search open job vacancies at any of the Sony Interactive sites by visiting playstation.com/careers/


Sony Interactive Entertainment pushes the boundaries of entertainment and innovation, starting from the launch of the original PlayStation in Japan in 1994. Today, we continue to deliver innovative and thrilling experiences to a global audience through our PlayStation line of products and services that include generation-defining hardware, pioneering network services, and award-winning games. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, with global functions in California, London, and Tokyo, and game development studios around the world as part of PlayStation Studios, we believe that the power of play is borderless. Sony Interactive Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation.  


For more information about our company, please visit SonyInteractive.com. For more information about PlayStation products, please visit PlayStation.com.

Carlsbad, California, United States (On-Site)

Los Angeles, California, United States (Remote)

Aliso Viejo, California, United States (On-Site)

Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland (On-Site)

Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland (On-Site)

London, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)

London, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)

Aliso Viejo, California, United States (On-Site)

Madison, Wisconsin, United States (Hybrid)

View All Jobs

Get notified when new jobs are added by PlayStation Global

Level Up Your Career in Game Development!

Transform Your Passion into Profession with Our Comprehensive Courses for Aspiring Game Developers.

Job Common Plug