Principal VFX Artist
Join Creative Assembly and craft deep and detailed games that last, entertaining millions of players across the globe for decades.
The Role
Creative Assembly is looking for an experienced Principal VFX Artist to join our Total War team
based at our studio in Horsham, in the heart of West Sussex.
In this new role, you will help define the VFX quality bar for our Total War products, mentor our
VFX team, and collaborate with our core technology groups to develop proprietary tools and
pipelines.
An excellent communicator and organiser, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality,
performant visuals across our projects.
This role requires three days per week in the studio (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday).
What you’ll be doing
Key Responsibilities
Inspire and guide the VFX team to create high-quality, performant visuals.
Create and develop high-quality visual effects that set the artistic and technical
benchmark for internal teams and external partners.
Work closely with the VFX Lead, providing mentorship, training, and documentation while
continuing to grow your own skills and expertise.
Scope VFX work based on player value and gameplay needs, managing priorities across
franchise and product requirements.
Collaborate with Art Directors and Leads to establish VFX style guides for multiple
projects.
Partner with cross-discipline teams to build and maintain efficient pipelines.
Communicate effectively with Production, Artists, Designers, and Programmers.
Research emerging VFX technologies and plan technical roadmaps to remain competitive
with industry standards.
Work with VFX and Engine teams to maintain optimised workflows for content creation.
What we are looking for
Essential:
Ability to create and implement world-class real-time VFX in a game engine.
Excellent visual awareness and artistic ability.
5+ years in game development and 3+ shipped titles.
Experience mentoring artists and supporting career development.
Skills in modelling, texturing, lighting, and image processing.
Strong understanding of VFX asset costs and performance impact across platforms.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Highly effective time-management and prioritisation skills.
• Awareness of industry technology trends.
Understanding of game development processes.
Love of games
Knowledge of:
Image manipulation tools (Photoshop, Substance Designer)
3D software (Maya, 3ds Max, or similar)
Creating animated sprite sheets
Particle system optimisation
Particle system terminology and applications
Particle editors (Unreal, Unity, or similar)
Strong understanding of contemporary shader features and workflows.
Desirable:
Formal art or technical training with a broad skill set.
Experience working across a range of artistic styles.
2+ shipped titles as a Senior.
Knowledge of Houdini for real-time VFX.
Knowledge of Embergen.
Familiarity with data management tools (SVN, Perforce).
ABOUT CREATIVE ASSEMBLY
We care deeply about the experiences we create and put our players at the heart of our decisions. We are all game makers; no matter our role we are empowered to make significant contributions to our games, supported by skills development and growth opportunities.
Most roles at Creative Assembly are hybrid; what this looks like will be discussed during the interview process. For many teams, this is 3 days a week in the studio. CA has the right to change requirements based on the needs of the business.
We offer many benefits to support you and your family including:
Work from Anywhere for a temporary period each year (restrictions apply such as VISAs)
Enhanced holiday allowance, maternity and paternity breaks, flexibility with our core hours, and no-notice holidays
Bespoke relocation package for you and your dependents
Private medical and dental insurance, life insurance, permanent health insurance, critical illness cover and free health care screening
Additional benefits ranging from free games and work parties to discount on technology
Wellbeing support and virtual confidential counselling
We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief. Our studio sites have disabled access.