About Snail Games USA

Snail Games strives to create the new high bar for gameplay experience in online gaming. We have been a global developer and publisher of digital entertainment since 2009 and are committed to pushing the boundaries of the industry.

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior VFX Artist to unify and elevate real-time visual effects quality across multiple Unreal Engine projects. This role operates within the Art Center as the VFX domain authority, responsible for defining standards, strengthening technical foundations, and ensuring combat and environmental effects are both visually compelling and gameplay-readable.

This is not a project-embedded production role. You will monitor VFX execution across projects, proactively identify risks in performance, clarity, or workflow, and propose actionable solutions before escalation. You are expected to establish scalable Niagara systems, guide distributed teams, and step in hands-on during high-priority or high-risk moments to deliver critical work directly.

You will collaborate closely with Design, Animation, Lighting, Engineering, and Technical Art to ensure VFX supports gameplay clarity, performance budgets, and visual identity across fantasy, stylized, and sci-fi projects.

Responsibilities

• Define and elevate VFX standards across multiple Unreal Engine projects
• Monitor cross-project VFX quality and proactively identify artistic or technical risks
• Develop solution plans before escalation to senior leadership
• Design and build high-quality real-time VFX from concept through final implementation
• Establish scalable, reusable Niagara systems and clean production pipelines
• Ensure combat and environmental effects maintain gameplay readability and performance discipline
• Lead performance optimization efforts, managing particle counts, shader complexity, and overdraw budgets
• Provide direct, constructive feedback to distributed teams (US, Poland, Suzhou)
• Create benchmarks, documentation, and best practices for consistent VFX execution
• Step in hands-on during high-risk or high-visibility moments to stabilize delivery
• Operate as the single-discipline VFX authority within the Art Center

Minimum Requirements

• Proven experience delivering high-quality real-time VFX in Unreal Engine (UE4 or UE5)
• Strong expertise in Niagara systems and real-time shader/material workflows
• Deep understanding of gameplay readability, combat feedback, and visual hierarchy
• Experience optimizing VFX for PC and console performance targets
• Demonstrated ability to diagnose workflow inefficiencies and implement improvements
• Comfort operating independently and proposing actionable solutions in ambiguous environments
• Ability to provide clear, direct feedback across disciplines
• Unreal Engine Experience: Proficiency with Unreal Engine, preferably UE4 or UE5
• Comfort using AI tools to accelerate iteration and reduce friction.

Nice to Have

• Experience working across multiple visual styles (realistic, stylized, fantasy, sci-fi)
• Familiarity with pipeline collaboration alongside Technical Art and Engineering
• Experience mentoring or elevating other VFX artists
• Background supporting both game and cinematic VFX workflows

Salary Range

$115,000 – $160,000 Annually

Why Join the Snail Games USA Team?

• True focus on work/life balance
• Paid company holidays, vacation, and separate sick leave
• Medical, dental, vision, and Life/LTD
• 401k with company match

Work Authorization

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Additional Information

As part of the Company's activities in video game development, publishing, and short-form video content creation, certain projects, discussions, or creative materials may include themes, visuals, language, or subject matter that some individuals could find mature, violent, sexual, graphic, or otherwise sensitive in nature ("Mature Content"). Examples may include, but are not limited to, depictions or descriptions of combat, violence, adult themes or relationships, suggestive or satirical humor, or strong language. Employees are expected to engage with such material in a professional and creative context as part of their job duties.