Who are we hiring?

The Sphere venue is one-of-a-kind, driven by multiple clusters of 25 nodes to produce a single frame of seamless imagery on the 16k display that runs at 60FPS.

As a Senior VFX Art Specialist at Sphere Entertainment Company, you will be instrumental in inventing and executing state-of-the-art techniques in computer graphics. You will develop vfx and dynamic systems on unique displays to enable real-time and offline scenarios.

As an ideal candidate you bring a solid artistic foundation in 3D and 2D art and a broad range of skills including gameplay, props and real-time and standard production art pipelines. You have a passion for gaming, and have the ability to create immersive, exciting work.

What will you do?

• Brainstorm, R&D, and help implement pipeline workflow.
• Work closely with the Art Director and others to maintain stunning visual style and quality. 
• Create photo-real particle systems for game environments and scripted moments. 
• Work closely with other departments to bring levels and features to life.
• Design and simulate realistic fire, smoke, explosions, debris, clouds, etc. that meet all technical and aesthetic standards for the project.
• Promote and enforce structure, such as naming conventions and documentation.
• Set dress levels with ambient atmospheric effects that produce spectacular photo-realistic game moments.
• Create textures and/or meshes to use in particle effects with various 2D and 3D applications.
• Create destructible assets and coinciding particle system.
• Provide in-depth research, reference material, and develop conceptual ideas.
• Animate and implement sequences in engine.
• Ideal candidates have an appetite for creative execution and are forward thinking, technologically inclined and have interest in being a part of an ambitious, innovative project requiring collaboration and teamwork.
• This role is part of a production artist group exploring and developing a unique language for Sphere, in collaboration with a creative development team.

What do you need to succeed?

• Highly proficient with the Unreal Engine including Niagara and the material editor.
• Create concepts and assets from scratch.
• Passion for fluid dynamics
• Embergen knowledge a plus
• Traditional illustration skills in multiple medias, excellent drawing skills, and matte painting experience.
• Experience with simulation and VFX software like FumeFX, Houdini, Maya, Max, etc.
• Experience with post process effects and how to create them.
• Passion for pushing fidelity and refining techniques as technology changes.
• Excellent texture creation skills
• Ability to interpret and transform abstract ideas and concepts into compelling work.
• Ability to perform rigid body and soft body simulations/animations.
• Aware of memory and technical constraints while working and can balance visual quality with performance.
• Must be passionate for games.

Special Requirements

• Cover Letter (optional)
• Portfolio demonstrating relevant skills. 
• Only digital artwork submissions such a website, blog, or online album will be accepted.

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