Job Description
Studio Wildcard – Redmond, WA or Remote
Open role:
Senior VFX Artist
We’re Studio Wildcard, developers of the smash indie hit ARK: Survival Evolved — one of the most popular and original video games in recent years. Despite our massive success, we’ve been able to stay independent, so that we can steer our own future in games and beyond. There’s never been a better time for you to join this adventure and help us build ARK II, the next chapter of our original hit franchise! We’re expanding and updating many of the ARK community’s most beloved features while taking full advantage of the latest tools and technologies. And now we’re searching for an exceptionally talented and passionate Senior VFX Artist who can create high-impact work for the expanding ARK franchise.
Responsibilities:
- Independently create high-quality, performant, and visually compelling VFX assets for games- including real-time particle systems, textures & texture atlases, and shaders/materials
- Work closely with designers, engineers, and related artists to design, implement, and troubleshoot VFX
- Be a self-starter who meets deadlines and actively collaborates with the team on VFX goals, prioritization, and scheduling
- Seek out and fix performance issues
- Maintain a meticulous, organized approach to creating, documenting, and sharing VFX for the team
- Have a great attitude and be a positive force at the studio- flexible and adaptive to the needs of the team
Requirements:
- Portfolio of work demonstrating proficiency in creating and implementing real-time VFX in a game engine like Unreal Engine or Unity, etc.
- Proficiency in creating visual effects like fluids/pyro/etc and lighting/rendering/compositing in a software package like Houdini/Maya/Max/Blender/etc
- Working knowledge of real-time lighting, post-FX, shaders, and real-time performance issues
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Digital Art, related field or equivalent work experience
- 5+ years of experience working in game development or related field
- At least 2 or 3 shipped AAA games as a VFX or Technical Artist
Pluses:
- Familiarity with Unreal Engine 5 and Niagara
- HLSL or equivalent shader writing language
- Houdini Knowledge
- Scripting (Python, Vex, Mel, etc.)
Required Application Materials:
- Resume
- Demo reel with breakdown/explanation of what you did
- Cover Letter which should include
- Why you are interested in working for Studio Wildcard
- What games you are currently playing
- Why you are interested in working for Studio Wildcard
- What games you are currently playing
- Why you are interested in working for Studio Wildcard
- What games you are currently playing
About Studio Wildcard
Studio Wildcard was founded in 2014 by industry veterans Jeremy Stieglitz and Jesse Rapczak, with the mission of bringing AAA quality to ambitious indie productions designed for core gamers. With countless years of combined industry experience across multiple independent and studio-backed titles, Wildcard’s core team continues to grow, with offices in Redmond, WA, and Gainesville, FL including distributed team members across multiple continents.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Wildcard is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws, regulations or ordinances. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to disability during the application or the recruiting process, please let us know.
Pay Transparency Information
The expected annual base pay range(s) for this position vary based on a variety of factors, which include: (but aren’t limited to) skills, competencies, qualifications, knowledge, and experience. Each pay range is only relevant to those residing in WA state and can vary based on geographical location.
Wildcard Benefits
We pay 100% of all premiums for the employee and discounted rates for dependent premiums. Our coverage includes Medical (5 different plans to choose from), Dental, Vision, Short Term and Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, 401(k) option, 100% covered Parental Leave, PTO, Paid Holidays, Unlimited Sick Time, and FSA/ HSA options