Sr. VFX Artist

Naughty Dog is hiring a Sr. VFX Artist for their studio in Santa Monica, CA. This role sits inside the VFX department and is focused on creating and implementing real-time visual effects that ship inside AAA game titles, drawing on the same craft principles that define high-end VFX pipeline work in film and television. It suits an effects artist with a background spanning games, commercials, or screen production who can own their work from concept through final optimization.

About the Role

The Sr. VFX Artist joins Naughty Dog’s effects team during active development on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, the studio’s current project following the critically recognized The Last of Us series. Day-to-day work involves building sprite-based particle systems and materials inside a game engine, optimizing effects for target platform performance, and collaborating closely with other effects artists across the VFX pipeline. This is a hybrid and onsite position, placed through staffing partner Yoh Enterprise Solutions on a temporary engagement basis.

Key Responsibilities

• Visualize, build, and implement real-time visual effects that meet both technical and artistic bar for a PS5-generation production.
• Optimize particle systems and materials so effects render efficiently on the target platform without sacrificing visual quality.
• Apply a strong command of form, color, timing, and composition to effects work across varied in-game scenarios.
• Proactively identify and take on outstanding effects tasks without waiting for direction from leads.
• Work through complex technical and artistic problems with other effects artists until a high-quality solution is reached.
• Contribute to the broader development team’s goals across all stages of the real-time VFX production workflow.

What You Bring

• Demonstrated VFX experience working with sprite-based particles and materials inside a game engine, or equivalent screen production credits in film, television, or commercials.
• Proven ability to optimize effects within a real-time rendering context for console or comparable hardware targets.
• A portfolio showing shipped or broadcast work with effects across multiple production types.
• Advanced problem-solving skills specific to real-time VFX pipeline constraints.
• Houdini knowledge and Python scripting are a bonus and will strengthen your application.
• Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

Why This Role

Naughty Dog has close to four decades of released titles behind them and a current slate that includes both the PC release of The Last of Us series and a new original IP in active development. This temporary engagement pays between $57.98 and $72.45 USD per hour, with eligibility for medical, dental, and vision benefits. For a Sr. VFX Artist looking to work inside a studio with a serious real-time VFX pipeline on a high-profile production, this is a substantive credit.

Apply now for the Sr. VFX Artist role at Naughty Dog and bring your effects work to one of the most recognized studios in the industry.