Senior VFX Artist - Unpublished R&D Product

As part of the Real-Time VFX team at Riot, you’ll play a role in designing and implementing dynamic effects that add atmosphere and depth to a range of gameplay moments. Shape the visual style of the many products at Riot through your application of hue, value, shape, timing, and composition. You’ll also be a part of the visual effects community which connects all visual effects artists across Riot in events ranging from technical knowledge shares, hosting guest speakers, and even fun game time together.

As a Senior VFX Artist on the Riot Discovery Studio (RDS) team you will report to the Sr. VFX Manager. While every member of the VFX team is responsible for asset creation in some way, your focus will be through the lens of technical execution and implementation. You’ll be the go to for technical FX questions and play a key role in meeting creative ambitions with technical prowess. You’ll work closely with the FX team to champion best practices and translate your knowledge into scalable solutions as the team transitions into production. You will be supporting team leadership in operational efforts such as educating others in the nuances of your craft, leading initiatives for their craft disciplines growth, and being the bridge for best practices between other disciplines and your own.

Responsibilities:

• Design and implement the sleek, dynamic, and dramatic visual effects that add atmosphere and depth to gameplay relevant to the projects artistic and stylistic needs
• Balance visual satisfaction and gameplay clarity while working to ensure amazing effects are accurately representing a given action or state
• Consistently deliver visuals autonomously through application of your painting, drawing, animating, and modeling skills as needed
• Level up those around you by creating and embodying craft and project best practices
• Take primary ownership of shaping the VFX optimization, implementation processes 
• Work closely with Tech Art and Engineering to establish VFX performance benchmarks
• Hold those in your discipline accountable to craft quality benchmarks through mentorship, feedback, documentation etc.  
• Adheres to team rituals, deadlines, and identifies & engages ways to improve the team
• Collaborate effectively across a wide range of disciplines and bring insight into the needs and capabilities of Visual Effects
• At times be the sole representative for visual effects as a subject matter expert especially when it comes to the more technical aspects of the discipline
• Engages with the broader Riot VFX community to shape initiatives and drive forward on discipline goals 
• Work closely with the members of the VFX team to balance each other's expertise and shape the department with frequent and proactive communication.
• When necessary step in to assist product leadership in operations efforts 
• Owns and engages regularly with your manager on your growth plan

Required Qualifications:

• BA in Game Art Development (or equivalent experience)
• 5+  years of industry experience
• Unreal 5.0+ Niagara asset creation and workflows
• Unreal 5.0+ Blueprint creation and Pipeline experience
• Scripting/Programming experience with languages such as HLSL etc.

Desired Qualifications:

• Adobe Animate, AfterEffects, Houdini, FumeFX, Embergen Substance Painter
• Runeterra IP knowledge
• Scripting/Programming experience with Python

As a part of the application process, candidates will be expected to provide a portfolio or demo reel of their work and may be asked to complete an art test.

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise and a collaborative spirit that prioritizes the delight of players. We will look at your past studies and experience, but for this role, we also look for dedicated people with a personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about players' experiences, this is the role for you!

Our Perks:

Riot has a focus on work/life balance, shown by our open paid time off policy, in addition to other perks such as flexible work schedules. We offer medical, dental, and life insurance, parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner and children, and a 401k with company match. Check out our benefits pages for more information.

At Riot Games, we put players first. That mission drives every decision in our quest to create games and experiences that make it better to be a player. Whether you’re working directly on a new player-facing experience or you’re supporting the company as a whole, everyone at Riot is part of our mission. And just like in our games, we’re better when we work together. Our goal is to create collaborative teams where you are empowered to bring your unique perspective everyday. If that sounds like the kind of place you want to work, we’re looking forward to your application.

It’s our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and members of Riot Games, Inc. Riot Games makes reasonable accommodations for handicapped and disabled Rioters and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, handicap, veteran status, marital status, criminal history, or any other category protected by applicable federal and state law. We consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the Washington Fair Chance Act.

Per the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the following core duties may create a basis for disqualifying candidates with relevant criminal histories:

• Safeguarding confidential and sensitive Company data
• Communication with others, including Rioters and third parties such as vendors, and/or players, including minors
• Accessing Company assets, secure digital systems, and networks
• Ensuring a safe interactive environment for players and other Rioters

These duties are directly related to essential operations, safety, trust, and compliance obligations within our organization. Please note that job duties may evolve based on business needs and additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to maintain operational efficiency and security. 

(Redwood City only) Base salary range between $161,100.00 - $225,100.00 USD + incentive compensation + equity + 401K with company match + medical, dental, vision, and life insurance + short and long-term disability + open PTO.