VFX Artist

About the role

Wildlife Studios is seeking a VFX Artist to join our growing Art team. You will create and implement real-time effects that define the visual identity and immersion of our mobile games. In this role, you will own the end to end creation of visual effects from initial concept through final implementation in production. You will be responsible for translating abstract creative ideas into concrete, interactive visual experiences that players see on screen. The position requires a proactive mindset where you will identify technical constraints and opportunities early in the process. You will act as a visual problem solver, finding efficient ways to communicate impact without compromising performance. Collaboration is central, and you will work hand in hand with designers, engineers, and audio to ensure effects support the gameplay loop.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Partner with Art Directors to define the visual style of our games and establish a consistent aesthetic language.
• Coordinate with engineering, design, and audio departments to integrate visual effects seamlessly into interactive gameplay moments.
• Prototype shaders and visual effects to establish the tone and pacing of game events before final production decisions.
• Concept and block out visual solutions early in the development cycle to test functionality and iterate based on feedback.
• Balance visual quality with performance constraints to ensure assets run efficiently across target mobile devices.
• Communicate effectively within a diverse, collaborative environment, providing clear updates and rationale for artistic choices.
• Utilize Photoshop to create and modify textures, overlays, and interface elements that support the visual effects pipeline.
• Leverage After Effects to design, preview, and refine motion graphics and particle behaviors before engine integration.
• Employ Maya to construct, modify, and optimize 3D elements and animations that feed into the real-time effects workflow.
• Use Substance Designer to author complex materials and surface details that enhance the realism and stylization of effects.
• Implement effects directly inside Unity, ensuring they integrate cleanly with existing systems and art pipelines.
• Optimize particle counts, textures, and shaders to maintain stable frame rates on a wide range of mobile hardware.
• Document techniques and processes within the team to ensure knowledge sharing and long term maintainability of effects.
• Support playtesting sessions by iterating on effects based on live feedback and performance data.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a VFX Artist in the gaming industry or a strong portfolio demonstrating real-time asset creation and implementation.
• Ability to work across various art styles, ranging from realistic to stylized, adapting techniques to suit project needs.
• Proficiency in at least one game engine, specifically Unity, with a solid understanding of its particle systems and rendering architecture.
• Deep understanding of the full game development pipeline, including version control, build processes, and collaboration practices.
• A resume that clearly outlines your professional experience and an online portfolio showcasing your previous work in accessible format.
• Strong foundational knowledge of artistic principles such as timing, spacing, weight, and anticipation as they apply to visual effects.
• Willingness to follow technical guidelines and pipeline standards while maintaining high quality deliverables under schedule.
• Capacity to receive and act on constructive feedback from peers, leads, and stakeholders in a professional manner.
• Commitment to equal opportunity practices and an inclusive workplace, respecting diversity in team interactions and project content.
• Reliability in meeting milestones and communicating proactively when adjustments to scope or timelines are necessary.

Nice to have

• Experience working on mobile game titles, with an understanding of the specific performance and design considerations of that platform.
• Foundational knowledge of 3D asset creation and motion graphics, allowing for greater independence in effect production.

Practical notes

• An art test may be required as part of the hiring process to evaluate your practical skills and style fit.
• Wildlife Studios is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer.
• Candidates requiring accommodations during the recruitment process can contact recruitment@wildlifestudios.com.

This position is based in São Paulo and operates as a full-time role within the Art Team at Wildlife Studios. The successful candidate will contribute directly to the visual identity of our mobile games, working on a variety of effects that impact player engagement and immersion. You are expected to bring a strong technical foundation in Unity, along with hands on experience in tools such as Photoshop, After Effects, Maya, and Substance Designer. The role demands a balance between creative exploration and disciplined execution, ensuring that artistic choices align with performance targets and production schedules.

Throughout the project lifecycle, you will participate in brainstorming sessions, design reviews, and collaborative workshops where your voice will help shape the visual narrative. The ideal candidate is comfortable working in an agile environment, managing multiple tasks, and adjusting priorities based on team needs. You will interact frequently with programmers to troubleshoot integration issues, ensuring that effects behave as intended across different devices and operating conditions. The position also involves mentoring junior artists when appropriate, sharing best practices for optimization, naming conventions, and documentation.

Because the games are mobile focused, you will need to consider memory budgets, file sizes, and battery impact while designing effects. This requires a thoughtful approach to asset creation, where visual impact is achieved through clever use of shaders, animation curves, and particle behavior rather than excessive polygon counts or high resolution textures. You will be expected to iterate quickly, responding to design changes, technical limitations, and player testing results without compromising the coherence of the visual language.

The role offers the opportunity to work on high visibility effects that players experience directly, making a tangible impact on the perceived quality of the games. You will see your work integrated into live products, observe player reactions, and contribute to the overall polish that defines Wildlife Studios releases. If you are passionate about real time graphics, enjoy solving technical artistic challenges, and want to grow within a collaborative studio based in São Paulo, this position represents a strong opportunity to apply your skills at scale.