Principal VFX Artist

Principal VFX Artist (R27312)

At the core of Epic's success are talented, passionate people. Epic prides itself on creating a collaborative, welcoming, and creative environment. Whether it's building award-winning games or crafting engine technology that enables others to make visually stunning interactive experiences, we're always innovating. Being Epic means being a part of a team that continually strives to do right by our community and users. We're constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development.

Epic is looking for a Principal FX Artist to join Rocket League, a live-service game with a huge passionate fanbase. You'll own FX systems, solve hard technical problems, and set the visual and technical standard for how effects work across the game. You're someone who gets energized by constraints, thinks in systems, and loves the moment when a gnarly technical problem becomes a beautiful effect in the build.

In this role, you will:

• Drive VFX systems and quality, design reusable, scalable solutions that support rapid iteration and long-term production across gameplay, cosmetics, and arena systems
• Author outstanding real-time effects across a range of styles, from grounded and physical to high-energy and stylized
• Collaborate with Tech Art and Programming to define performance budgets and hit them without sacrificing visual quality
• Prototype and validate new VFX workflows
• Set the quality bar, defining what "good" looks like for the team
• Mentor and elevate artists across disciplines; raise the floor and the ceiling

What we're looking for:

• Real-time FX portfolio required, shipped titles carry more weight than student work
• Deep proficiency with Niagara and Unreal Engine's material system
• Shader authoring experience (HLSL or Material Editor)
• Scripting experience — Python, Blueprint, or equivalent; this is what separates a technical FX artist from a visual one
• Strong understanding of GPU performance — draw calls, particle costs, memory — and a track record of optimizing without killing the look
• A critical eye for timing, weight, and motion grounded in how things actually behave in the real world
• Experience shipping multiple titles in the game industry
• Experience on a live-service game is a strong plus
• Houdini experience is a plus for candidates who work from simulation reference

This role is open to multiple locations in North America (including CA & WA).

Pay Transparency Information The expected annual base pay range(s) for this position are detailed below. Each base pay range is relevant only for individuals who are residents of or will be expected to work within the specified locale. Compensation varies based on a variety of factors, which include (but aren't limited to) things such as skills and competencies, qualifications, knowledge, and experience. In addition to base pay, most employees are eligible to participate in Epic's generous benefit plans and discretionary incentive programs (subject to the terms of those plans or programs).

California Base Pay Range $200,423 — $293,954 USD Washington Base Pay Range $182,204 — $267,232 USD

Epic Games is a leading interactive entertainment company. For over 30 years we've been making award-winning games and engine technology that empowers others to make visually stunning games and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being embraced by content creators across a variety of industries such as media and entertainment, automotive, and architectural design. As we continue to build our Engine technology and develop remarkable games, we strive to build teams of world-class talent.

Epic Games deeply values diverse teams and an inclusive work culture, and we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer.