Important PSA: we've received reports of scammers who are posing as Manticore recruiters using a fraudulent email address. Legit emails from Manticore will always come from a manticoregames.com address - note the plural 'games', not singular.

For real roles at Manticore, we'll communicate by official email. We don't use gmail addresses, and we don't ask candidates to switch to a messaging app like Telegram. We do always do video interviews, so you'll see us on camera.

As this is becoming more common in the game industry, we recommend all job hunters carefully note the "from" email of recruiters. Never share your banking information or make a purchase of equipment based on a social media message. If in doubt, reach out to others at the company.

Senior VFX Artist (6-12 Month Contract)

Manticore Games® is building a new immersive, open world sandbox life-simulation Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) game leveraging the power of its UGC platform, Core. Manticore launched the Core platform in 2021, featuring live events, interactive entertainment, and more than 50,000 games and worlds to play and explore. Core is a radically accessible game construction kit and social game-playing platform, all-in-one. Now, Manticore is expanding on the Core universe and is looking for qualified pioneers to join the journey.

We are seeking a talented, motivated, and experienced Senior VFX Artist to help us bring combat and environments to life with beautiful stylized effects and materials that will excite and impress our players. This is a 6-12 month short-term role with the possibility of becoming a full-time, permanent position when the contract concludes.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with art directors, game designers, and engineers to conceptualize and create visually striking VFX for games.
Develop and implement stylized effects for combat, creatures, characters and the environment.
Work with Unreal Engine using Niagara to integrate VFX seamlessly into gameplay, optimize performance, and ensure visual fidelity.
Prototype and iterate on VFX ideas, incorporating feedback from internal teams to refine the final look and feel.
Create and maintain VFX shaders and materials to achieve the desired aesthetic and enhance overall visual quality.

Requirements

5+ years of experience as a VFX artist in the games industry, with a strong portfolio showcasing stylized effects work.
Shipped at least one AAA PC/Console title or equivalent experience working in a live production environment.
Experience developing stylized VFX for PC/Console.
Expertise in Unreal Engine using Niagara for VFX creation, optimization, and integration.
Solid understanding of blueprint development in Unreal Engine to implement interactive and dynamic VFX systems.
Experience with creating and optimizing VFX shaders and materials in a real-time rendering environment.
Strong artistic and technical skills, with a keen eye for detail and a passion for pushing visual boundaries.
Strong sense of timing, shape and form as it applies to VFX.
Self-motivated, excellent communication skills, and a great team-player attitude.
Able to work creatively as part of a large or small group.
Proven problem-solving / prototyping ability.
Able to effectively collaborate with game designers and programmers.

Pluses

Experience working with Substance Painter and Designer.
Experience working with Houdini.
Skill in one or more related disciplines.
Experience on MMO or RPG titles.
Experience in multiple genres of games.

Perks

Medical, Dental, Vision & Life/AD&D Insurance
401(k)
Maternity & Parental Leave
Fully Remote
Flexible PTO
Flexible Spending Accounts
Commuter Benefits
ADP Employee Discount Program
Daily Lunch (in office only)
Free Snacks & Beverages (in office only)

$80,000/year to $140,000/year

A reasonable estimate of the current US base salary range for this position is salary (the range listed above) + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Within that range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including but not limited to job-related skill sets, experience and training, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include discretionary bonus (if any, based on individual and organizational performance), equity, or benefits.

Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Manticore Games provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.