VFX Artist (Mid - Senior)

id Software, part of the ZeniMax Media Inc. family of companies, is seeking a talented VFX Artist (Mid or Senior) to join our team making AAA games. Candidates should have significant experience in real-time VFX asset creation, as well as a self-motivated drive to improve upon the systems and processes used in VFX creation. Applicants should have shipped at least one AAA title, including console platforms. Candidate’s portfolio should demonstrate high quality VFX with a wide variety of styles.

Please include a sample reel in your submission.

Position is based in Richardson, Texas

Responsibilities

• Ability to take art direction with or without concept art, maintain a given style across a variety of assets, and to expand that style to fit the requirements of new assets
• Recognizing what VFX are needed, early in prototyping stage and supporting pre-production with VFX previsualization and prototype VFX
• Designing, creating and integrating VFX from start to finish
• Rendering animated loopable and/or tileable textures
• Working closely with animators and designers to develop and integrate gameplay VFX
• Set dressing of environments and cinematics with VFX
• Testing, debugging, solving problems and fixing bugs
• Performance testing and optimizing VFX for different platforms
• Provide schedule estimates for asset production
• Finding and addressing bottlenecks in the VFX production pipeline, assessing tools needs and finding better workflows.

Qualifications

• 3 + years game industry experience
• Portfolio demonstrating wide variety of VFX
• Have shipped at least 1 AAA title as VFX artist
• Excellent sense of scale and composition/framing
• Ability to adhere to a cohesive aesthetic as set forth by the Art Director
• Understanding of rendering techniques, real-time shaders and lighting
• Knowledge of environment asset creation, scene construction and lighting
• Ability to create high quality animated, tileable and loopable textures
• Proficiency in generating assets in Modo, 3ds Max, Maya, Houdini and/or similar software for use in fx
• Understanding of performance optimization and technical limitations
• Ability to learn quickly in-house tools
• Works in an organized and timely fashion
• Good time management skills and efficient development processes
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with the id Software products, family of engines, tools and material creation
• Passion for gaming
• Interest in new VFX technologies – real-time and offline rendering
• Console development experience
• Traditional art skills including sketching, illustration, painting, photography
• University or equivalent art-related degree
• Experience using Houdini and/or other fluid and rigid body simulation software
• Experience with Perforce

Salary Range

VFX Artist (Intermediate) - The typical base pay range for this position at the start of employment is expected to be between $55,000 - $140,000 per year.

Senior VFX Artist - The typical base pay range for this position at the start of employment is expected to be between $75,000 - $165,000 per year.

ZeniMax has different base pay ranges for different work locations within the United States, which allows us to pay employees competitively and consistently in different geographic markets. The range above reflects the potential base pay across the U.S. for this role; the applicable base pay range will depend on what ultimately is determined to be the candidate’s primary work location. Individual base pay depends on various factors, in addition to primary work location, such as complexity and responsibility of role, job duties/requirements, and relevant experience and skills. Base pay ranges are reviewed and typically updated each year. Offers are made within the base pay range applicable at the time.

At ZeniMax certain roles are eligible for additional rewards, such as merit increases and discretionary bonuses. These awards are allocated based on individual performance and are not guaranteed. Benefits/perks listed here may vary depending on the nature of employment with ZeniMax and the country work location. U.S.-based employees have access to healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan and company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, wellbeing benefits, paid vacation time, paid sick and mental health time, and several paid holidays, among others.