Senior VFX Artist

Halo Studios is the developer of the blockbuster Halo series of video games. As part of Xbox Game Studios, the Halo franchise encompasses games, television series, novels, comics, licensed collectibles, apparel and more. We are looking for talented new voices to join our team to build the next generation of games and experiences in our award-winning sci-fi universe. Do you want to closely collaborate with teams to drive inspiring, cohesive gameplay experiences? Are you interested in both celebrating and evolving Halo’s legacy to create a new generation of stories that millions of players love? If so, the Halo team would love to speak with you about becoming our next Senior VFX Artist.  

Halo Studios is seeking a Senior VFX Artist to add their artistic and technical excellence to Halo's diverse array of VFX challenges. In this role, you'll collaborate with cross-functional teams, setting high standards for VFX quality and performance while pushing creative boundaries in order to craft a next-level Halo experience within the Unreal engine." 

You will play a pivotal role in creating stunning visual effects that enhance gameplay immersion and aesthetic appeal. This position requires a unique blend of artistic creativity and technical expertise to push the boundaries of visual fidelity in our game.  As a Sr. VFX artist you will be closely involved with workflow, pipeline, and art standard initiatives, while providing mentorship to other artists and guidance to partner teams.   

Roles at our studio are flexible, and you can work from home up to two days a week, Thursdays and Fridays, in this role.   

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.  

Required Qualifications:  

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Graphic Design, Digital Arts, Technical Art, Game Design, or related field AND 4+ years technical art or industry-related design experience 

• 4+ years experience using related software and packages (e.g., Autodesk Maya, Janga FX Embergen, 3D Studio Max, Adobe Creative Suite, SideFX Houdini, Zbrush, Substance Suite). 

Other Requirements:   

• Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements is required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to, the following specialized security screenings:  

• Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.  

Preferred qualifications:  

• 4+ years industry experience as a VFX Artist.  Working with a modern VFX pipeline, Unreal 5/Niagara (preferred), Unity/Shuriken, or comparable proprietary compute shader based VFX pipeline.  

• Experience shipping 2+ games end to end.    

• Understanding of real-time rendering techniques, shaders, and material systems.  

• A portfolio that demonstrates both artistic and technical mastery.  

• Problem-solving skills and attention to detail, with a passion for pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling in games.  

• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, with a proactive and positive attitude.  

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Responsibilities 

• Create high-quality, visually stunning VFX with an eye on realism and immersion.   

• Optimize VFX for performance to ensure assets run efficiently without compromising visual quality.  

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, such as art, design, animation, and engineering, to integrate VFX seamlessly into the game. 

• Drive innovation and creativity by exploring new VFX techniques and tools to push the boundaries of visual effects, enhancing the overall player experience. 

• Establish and maintain VFX standards by setting quality and performance expectations for assets, reviewing and providing feedback on other artists’ work to ensure consistency and excellence. 

• Prototype and iterate on new effects based on gameplay needs, refining as needed based on feedback and testing. 

• Enhance cinematic visuals by contributing to cutscenes and cinematic sequences with impactful visual effects that elevate storytelling and immersion. 

• Support pipeline and tool development by working with technical artists and engineers to improve VFX workflows for efficiency and quality. 

• Manage co-developer relationships, coordinating with partners to ensure that VFX assets meet quality, technical, and performance standards; provide clear guidance, feedback, and support to maintain a cohesive look and feel. 

• Mentor other artists, offering guidance and feedback to help them develop skills and align with project goals.