Lead VFX Artist

Are you an experienced Lead VFX Artist looking to shape high-impact visual effects for a large-scale, multiplayer RPG project?

This is an opportunity to join an established, internationally recognised game studio working on an ambitious, story-driven title, where visual effects play a critical role in storytelling, immersion, and moment-to-moment gameplay.

This is a full-time position based in Boston, USA, with hybrid working available. The role is suited to a senior VFX leader who combines hands-on technical excellence with people leadership and a passion for building strong, creative teams.

About the role...

As a Lead VFX Artist, you will be responsible for defining, delivering, and maintaining high-quality real-time visual effects across a major game project. You will lead and mentor a team of VFX artists, collaborate closely with other disciplines, and help drive both artistic vision and technical standards across the project. This role has a strong influence on production planning, pipelines, and long-term VFX strategy.

What you'll be doing:

• Lead, mentor, and support a team of VFX artists, fostering a collaborative and inclusive team culture.
• Design and implement high-quality real-time visual effects that enhance gameplay, cinematics, and narrative moments.
• Drive artistic quality and technical excellence across the VFX pipeline.
• Support team members with goal-setting, feedback, and career development.
• Collaborate with gameplay, environment, animation, and cinematic teams to deliver cohesive visual experiences.
• Research, prototype, and introduce new tools, workflows, and techniques for real-time VFX.
• Ensure VFX content meets performance, memory, and platform constraints.
• Oversee external and outsourced VFX work, including briefing, review, and quality control.
• Partner with production and leadership to align VFX scope, planning, and milestones.
• Help maintain scalable, efficient production pipelines and workflows.

What we're looking for:

• 8+ years of professional experience as a VFX Artist in game development.
• Experience shipping at least one AAA title in a lead or senior VFX role
• Proven leadership experience within a creative, cross-disciplinary environment.
• Strong expertise in Unreal Engine 5 and real-time VFX development.
• Solid experience with real-time and baked simulations.
• In-depth knowledge of VFX pipelines and tools, including Houdini.
• Strong understanding of PBR workflows, shaders, lighting, and real-time rendering.
• Advanced skills in performance optimisation and debugging.
• Ability to independently lead complex initiatives and solve technical and artistic challenges.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating high-quality VFX work for games.

Location and working model...

• Full-time role
• Based in Boston, USA
• Hybrid or in-studio working available
• Remote options within selected US states may be considered

If you’re a Lead VFX Artist who enjoys building teams, pushing real-time visuals forward, and delivering visually striking, performant effects that elevate gameplay and storytelling, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now, or email Joe McKernan - [email protected]