Principal VFX Artist

As VFX Artists at Riot, we design and help implement the sleek, dynamic and dramatic special effects that add atmosphere and depth to gameplay. We create aesthetically astounding visual effects that communicate essential game information. We use your artistic and technical skills to breathe life into undead spells, channel primal emotions and capture the essence of hundreds of champions. 

As a Principal VFX Artist on the PIE (Player Immersion & Expression) team, you would report into the Associate Art Director. You will support VFX artists, both in craft development and vision setting as we create assets that will both surprise and delight players. Work may vary from champion skin abilities to emotes, sight wards, and just about any other variety of VFX assets that will go into League. You will also be called on to develop style guides and thematic direction for VFX on other projects within League. You will work closely with the Associate Art Director to build the VFX vision and discipline strategies for the future. Quickly mediate and resolve craft disagreements and misalignments. Work closely with the VFX Art Leads within League and Riot more broadly to build a ‘future forward’ workflow and consistent quality and style.

Responsibilities:

• The majority of your time will be spent creating VFX for the League PIE team while also contributing high-level strategic projects for League of Legends
• Be a leader in the Riot VFX space through your work - whether defining craft, standards, owning workflow, or setting vision etc.
• Craft Industry quality defining visual effects that communicate essential game information while emphasizing Champion core truths
• Provide as-needed support of all aspects of VFX process; from set-up through production and troubleshooting
• Proactively seek discipline improvements and build effective plans to address them
• Lead on creative and complex assignments with multiple disciplines and product leaders
• Level up other VFX Artists through mentorship, feedback, and paint overs
• Be an available resource for other products seeking context on Skins/PIE VFX
• Support the Associate Art Director on emergent tasks where needed
• Innovate within PIE’s established workflows, finding creative ways to elevate our most premium products even further
• Be an active member within the broader VFX community, frequently leading meetings and projects to enhance the skills and knowledge of craft members
• Be a role model by consistently embodying and upholding our company values in every aspect of your work and interactions 

Required Qualifications:

• BA in Game Art Development (or equivalent experience)
• 10+ years of professional experience working on VFX in the video games industry
• Professional experience working in 3D/2D Software - Maya, 3DS Max, and Photoshop 
• Experience creating high-quality, stylized real-time VFX
• High proficiency in VFX development, including fundamentals like timing, shape language, color theory and mesh engineering
• Knowledge of games with isometric view as it pertains to game design and visual clarity

Desired Qualifications:

• Past leadership or management experience
• Familiarity with the League of Legends IP and skins universes
• Tools experience: have worked in several tools, pipelines, and game engines
• Experience giving direction and delivering clear, constructive feedback to vendors
• Shipped titles as a Senior or Lead VFX Artist

As a part of the application process, you will be expected to provide a portfolio or demo reel of your work and may be asked to complete an art test.

For this role, you’ll find success through craft expertise, a collaborative spirit, and decision-making that prioritizes the delight of players. We will be looking at your past studies, experience, and your personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about the experiences of players, this could be the role for you!

Our Perks:

Riot focuses on work/life balance, shown by our open paid time off policy and other perks such as flexible work schedules. We offer medical, dental, and life insurance, parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and children, and a 401k with company match. Check out our benefits pages for more information.

Riot Games fosters a player and workplace experience that values teamwork embodied by the Summoner’s Code and Community Code. Our culture embraces differences as a strength, and our values are the guiding principles for how we approach work. We are committed to putting diversity and inclusion (D&I) at the center of everything we do and promoting a fair and collaborative culture where Rioters treat one another with dignity and respect. We encourage you to read more about our value of thriving together and our ongoing work to build the most inclusive company in Gaming.

It’s our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and members of Riot Games, Inc. Riot Games makes reasonable accommodations for handicapped and disabled Rioters and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, handicap, veteran status, marital status, criminal history, or any other category protected by applicable federal and state law. We consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the Washington Fair Chance Act.

Per the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the following core duties may create a basis for disqualifying candidates with relevant criminal histories:

• Safeguarding confidential and sensitive Company data
• Communication with others, including Rioters and third parties such as vendors, and/or players, including minors
• Accessing Company assets, secure digital systems, and networks
• Ensuring a safe interactive environment for players and other Rioters

These duties are directly related to essential operations, safety, trust, and compliance obligations within our organization. Please note that job duties may evolve based on business needs and additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to maintain operational efficiency and security.