Job Description

Sinn Studio Inc. is leading the charge in VR combat games! Debut game, Swordsman, is a physics-based combat game where you can slash your way through medieval earth to become the ultimate Swordsman. Having won multiple awards like Game of the Year in 2022, Best Swordfighting Game in 2020 and more. Swordsman also boasts top best seller in Quest and PSVR/2 platforms.

Sinn Studio is looking for a Senior VFX Artist to join our team to build striking effects for our worlds to come alive! We are looking for someone with expertise in Unreal Engine (ie. and Niagara, shaders) to create realtime VFX content systems, and more seamless gameplay experiences. The incumbent builds art that blends with our game ingredients as they collaborate with our team. They explore and balance player expectations within optimized performance for effects while relaying impactful artistic quality. We are looking for someone who will enrich us with the standards you set in your practice and your collaboration, all in a space where you can thrive.

Responsibilities

• Create performant and polished VFX for the game using texturing/meshes, shaders, and more (a major focus in elements like gore and combat systems)
• VFX may include:

1. Blood and gore systems involving particles and decals, animated shaders, and layered effects designed to produce realistic and visceral character damage systems
2. Environmental storytelling, fire, explosions, clouds, debris, smoke
3. Visual targets, weather conditions, ambient atmospheric effects, magic, UI effects, cinematics, etc

• Through compelling VFX, ensure to aid player experience and gameplay mechanics
• Utilize gameplay mechanics and restrictions in VFX work within scope
• Produce technically specific solutions to be both optimally performant and stay visually stunning
• Debug and test VFX assets often
• Help implement visual effects in engine and for real-time usage
• Use tools such as Unreal Engine’s Blueprints, Material Editor, and Niagara along with other applications
• Explore and evolve techniques for generating in-game effects
• Use high proficiency in tools for realizing vision of VFX assets in a consistent style (respecting the artistic vision of the project)
• Maintain visual effects documentation
• Have high-touch communication through regular updates/iteration and cross-team collaboration
• Mentor other team members on VFX clarity, best practices and needs
• Other related duties as required

Qualifications

If the following sounds like you, and you’re interested in joining a growing start-up, we want to hear from you! Not sure that you meet all qualifications? Cast those doubts away - we strongly welcome you to apply. We love to hear from people who are ecstatic about working in the XR industry and where it will evolve to.

• 5+ years of experience as a real-time VFX artist within Unreal Engine
• Ensure to create cohesive assets that are performant and polished
• Have a sense of timing and composition
• Experience and understanding with industry standard software (ie. 3ds Max, Maya, EmberGen, RayFire, After Effects, Nuke)
• Ability to work with gameplay and lighting
• Eye for recreation of real world effects and atmospherics with timing, volume and weight
• Strong ability to produce relevant art from scratch, or with available resources (purchased or provided by the company)
• Comfortable using different software related to the art pipeline
• Proficient in Niagara and related VFX systems (such as for volumes and particle systems) in Unreal
• Ability to work with specular and normal maps
• Creative, pragmatic problem solver
• Receptive and agile with feedback provided
• Strong understanding of art and technical pipeline requirements / limitations
• Comfortable working with debugging
• Shipped at least one PC / console game using the Unreal Engine
• Knowledgeable in optimization workflows for real-time simulations and emitters
• Strong grasp of native shader pipelines in Unreal Engine, with a demonstrated ability to leverage the material BP editor
• Excellent interpersonal communicator (verbal and written) in technical and non-technical terms
• Able to mentor other team members
• Proven ability in documentation, training, and presentations

Added Advantages

• Experience with VR / MR
• Background in XR
• Post-secondary education in visual effects, art, animation or other related fields
• A good foundation in 3D math and physics
• Ability to write scripts to create VFX
• Experience in animation and/or model art
• Knowledge of procedural software like Houdini
• PC and console experience preferred over mobile
• An authentic understanding and passion about games / working in the industry

What To Send In Your Application

• Beyond a resume, please also include a portfolio/reel demonstrating your highlights and successes in VFX related to this position

Additional Information

Salary Range: $90,000-110,000 CAD annually + 3 weeks vacation, sick days, employer paid benefits (except LTD), Employee Assistance Program, wellness days, birthday day off, Employee Stock Options (ESOP) coming in early 2024, and more.

As of the time of this posting, Sinn Studio lists the projected base salary range in good faith. A salary offered will be determined upon several factors such as: relevant experience, skillset, geographic location, and organizational critical needs.

Office Location: Liberty Village, Toronto

Work Structure: Preference will be given to local candidates or those who are willing to relocate to the Greater Toronto Area to work in a hybrid model with two days in office collaborating with local team members and our founders.

If this sounds like you, and you’re interested in joining a growing start-up, we want to hear from you! Not sure that you meet all qualifications? Cast those doubts away - we strongly welcome you to apply. We love to hear from people who are ecstatic about working in the XR industry and where it will evolve to.

Sinn Studio is an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusion and diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics, disability or any other basis forbidden under federal, provincial, or local law, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment process. If you require accommodation, or if you have any additional questions about the role, please contact us at talent@sinnstudio.com.

Compensation

$90,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year