Lead VFX Artist

Heart Machine is a close-knit team with our studio located in Los Angeles and talented team members all across the globe.

As a team, we are all passionate and work incredibly hard, but understand the importance of work-life balance. We like to live our lives, have holidays, and remain healthy throughout a project.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all voices are heard and respected, and folks from underrepresented groups have a place to share their passion and creativity. We believe welcoming different life perspectives is crucial to building better games, scaling our studio sustainably, and improving our understanding of one another.

Project(s)

https://www.heartmachine.com/hyper-light-breaker

Explore open worlds you’ll only see once!

Hyper Light Breaker is a new co-op rogue-lite adventure set in the beloved Hyper Light Drifter universe. Play alone or with friends to explore massive biomes, defeat brutal monsters, create new builds, survive the mysterious Crowns and overthrow the almighty Abyss King.

➕➕ More in the works

Role

We are looking for a Lead VFX Artist to work on future projects at Heart Machine! Become a part of our tight-knit (and growing) team to help make our games more alive and vibrant.

If you're interested in collaborating with a kind, diverse and extraordinarily talented crew of people and working on the types of projects you dreamt of as a kid, please reach out to us.

Responsibilities

• Create VFX across all areas of the game with an emphasis on Combat FX
• Work with the Creative Director, Art Director and other leads to ensure a consistent style and quality level across all in-game VFX assets
• Partner with our Engineers to develop new, or improve upon existing technologies for pushing the bar of game FX, both visually and technically
• Document, communicate requirements, and provide feedback to internal artists and outsourcing partners
• Actively develop and improve skillset and abilities by staying up-to-date on industry trends and techniques, evaluating competitive products, and learning new software packages and traditional art methods‍

Technical Skills

• Capable of creating high quality, stylized visual effects in a real-time application
• Expert understanding of Unreal Engine
• Great communication, organizational, time management, and interpersonal skills
• Expert using UE4 material graphs and authoring performant shaders
• Proficiency in industry-standard art packages, including Maya and Photoshop
• Scripting / Technical Design experience with UE4 Blueprints or similar

What will set you apart

• Significant industry experience in a leadership role - e.g. have shipped multiple games or content drops on a live-service game
• Thorough understanding of Heart Machine IP and aesthetic pillars
• Experience working with external partners

Additional Information

• Working remotely is an option
• Relocation assistance is offered‍

Salary

In the United States, the standard base pay range for this role we have estimated is $91,000.00 - $120,000.00 Annual. This base pay range is for the U.S. and is not applicable to locations outside of the U.S. Actual amounts will vary depending on experience, performance and location. In addition to base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed.

Benefits

• Competitive pay through bonus structures
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401k
• Flex PTO policy and 10 Federal holidays annually
• Paid parental leave

Location

Flexibility Work remotely or from the studio or Hybrid

Full Time with Flexible Hours

Most staff maintain hours around 9a-6p PST. So long as you get the work done and are there for the meetings you are needed in, we trust you to manage your own time however makes sense to you.