Experienced VFX Artist
Job Summary
Job Description
Sumo Sheffield, established in 2003, is a premium development partner known for delivering high-quality games across all platforms for leading publishers. As an Experienced VFX Artist, you will be a key member of the art team, responsible for designing, building, and optimizing real-time VFX within Unreal Engine (Niagara and Material Editor). This role involves collaborating closely with game designers, animators, and other artists to enhance visual spectacle and gameplay feedback. You will tackle visual and technical challenges, ensuring seamless integration and pushing engine boundaries. The position requires expertise in Unreal Engine VFX tools, optimization techniques, 2D texture creation, and mesh-based particle VFX. A strong portfolio and excellent collaboration skills are essential.
Must have:
- Create and optimize real-time VFX in Unreal Engine (Niagara, Material Editor)
- Collaborate with game designers and artists
- Innovate and solve visual/technical challenges
- Proven success as a VFX Artist in game development
- Expertise in Unreal Engine VFX tools
- Proficiency in real-time VFX optimization
- Proficiency in 2D texture creation (Photoshop, Substance)
- Proficiency in Mesh based Particle VFX
- Strong portfolio of Unreal Engine VFX
- Excellent artistic eye and attention to detail
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Exceptional collaboration and communication skills
Good to have:
- Experience with Houdini software
Perks:
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- Pension
- Referral rewards
- Flexible benefits
- Savings on tech, bikes
- Flexible working
- Generous holidays
- Birthday & duvet days
- Christmas break
- Sabbaticals
- Private healthcare
- Dental
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Life cover
- Wellness support
- Learning days
- Volunteer time
- Structured growth
- Regular reviews
- Studio socials & events
- Gaming subscription
6 skills required
Job Details
About Sumo Digital, Sheffield
Founded in 2003, Sumo Sheffield was the first of the Sumo Digital studios. Firmly established as the premium development partner of leading publishers, we are trusted to deliver high quality games associated with some of the most iconic and valued properties in the industry. We are also generating innovative new IP! With a highly skilled body of over 300 developers we work across all platforms, on a selection of AAA games covering multiple genres including Sports, FPS, and platform adventure.
Day in the life of an Experienced VFX Artist:
As a crucial member of our art team, you'll spend your days directly impacting the visual spectacle of our games.
Within this role you will be focusing on:
• Creating & Optimizing: Your core focus will be designing, building, and refining real-time VFX directly within Unreal Engine (Niagara and Material Editor expertise is key). This includes everything from subtle environmental cues to epic combat effects, always with quality and performance in mind.
• Collaborating: You'll work hand-in-hand with game designers, animators, environment artists, and technical artists. Your input will shape how gameplay moments look and feel, ensuring seamless integration and visual cohesion. You'll receive and give feedback in a collaborative environment.
• Innovating: You'll tackle visual and technical challenges, finding creative solutions and pushing the boundaries of what's possible within the engine to deliver top-tier results.
• Impact: Your work directly enhances player immersion, provides crucial gameplay feedback, and significantly contributes to the overall polish and aesthetic of our titles.
What do you need to do this job:
• Proven success as a professional VFX Artist experience in game development.
• Expert-level proficiency with Unreal Engine's VFX tools (Niagara particle system and Material Editor are essential).
• Strong understanding of real-time VFX optimization techniques.
• Proficiency in 2D texture creation for VFX (e.g., Photoshop, Substance).
• Proficiency in Mesh based Particle VFX. Strong understanding of modelling and UV unwrapping
• A strong portfolio showcasing diverse real-time VFX, specifically in Unreal Engine.
• Excellent artistic eye, sense of timing, and attention to detail.
• Strong problem-solving and adaptive mindset.
• Exceptional collaboration and communication skills.
• Self-motivated and proactive, with a genuine passion for games.
It would be an advantage if you have:
• Experience with Houdini software.
What’s in it for you?
At Sumo, you’re in control of your benefits, tailored to support your lifestyle, wellbeing, and growth.
• Discretionary bonus scheme, pension, referral rewards, flexible benefits*, and savings on tech, bikes, and more.
• Flexible working, generous holidays, birthday & duvet days, Christmas break, and sabbaticals.
• Private healthcare*, dental*, EAP, life cover, and wellness support.
• Learning days, volunteer time, structured growth, and regular reviews.
• Studio socials & events and a gaming subscription.
*Optional via our flexible benefits platform.
Inclusion and Belonging at Sumo Digital
At Sumo Digital, we believe that when people feel supported, valued, and empowered, they create their best work and that’s what drives our success.
We’re committed to building a sustainable, people-first business where everyone can thrive. Our focus is on nurturing talent, fostering creativity, and creating a healthy, inclusive, and enriching environment where everyone feels they truly belong.
PRISM, our employee-led diversity group, champions inclusion, equity, and wellbeing across all our studios. It plays a vital role in shaping a culture where every voice is heard, every background is respected, and every team member feels safe, welcome, and represented.
We’re proud to support meaningful causes through our charitable and community initiatives-reflecting the passions and values of our people, partners, and players.
We’re actively working to improve diversity in our recruitment and career development processes, and we encourage individuals from underrepresented and marginalised communities to explore careers at Sumo Digital.
Together, we’re building a studio where everyone can grow, contribute, and feel proud to be part of something special.
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