CD PROJEKT RED is searching for a visionary and battle-hardened Lead VFX Artist to join our Warsaw team. This is a rare opportunity to define the visual language of Project Sirius, an ambitious multiplayer game set within the legendary world of The Witcher.

As a Lead, you are not just a creator of effects; you are a shepherd of talent and a guardian of technical quality. You will guide a team of world-class artists through the uncharted territory of high-fidelity multiplayer VFX, ensuring that every spell, explosion, and environmental effect is both breathtaking and perfectly optimized for a shared online experience. At CD PROJEKT RED, we create story-driven games that go straight to the hearts of gamers—Project Sirius is the next chapter in that mission.

Compensation & Long-Term Incentives

We recognize that leadership at this level requires a package that reflects both your expertise and your commitment to the studio’s long-term success.

The Mission: Leading the Charge on Project Sirius

Project Sirius is a fresh take on The Witcher universe, combining our signature storytelling with multiplayer elements. As the Lead VFX Artist, your influence will be felt across every department. Multiplayer environments present unique challenges—visual effects must be readable, performant across various network conditions, and consistently spectacular.

You will spend your days balancing high-level creative direction with hands-on mentorship. You are the bridge between the Directors’ vision and the Artists’ execution, ensuring that the VFX pipeline is scalable, the team is inspired, and the final output is nothing short of revolutionary.

Detailed Responsibilities

1. Team Leadership & Mentorship

• Cultural Stewardship: Cultivate a team environment grounded in trust, creative freedom, and mutual respect.
• Professional Growth: Set clear career milestones for your team members, providing regular feedback and coaching to help them reach Senior and Lead levels.
• Resource Management: Work with Production and Directors to plan sprints, estimate task durations, and ensure the team hits milestones without burnout.

2. Creative & Technical Direction

• Pipeline Innovation: Research and prototype new workflows using Unreal Engine 5 and SideFX Houdini to push the boundaries of real-time simulation.
• Visual Consistency: Collaborate with Art Directors and Environment Leads to ensure VFX align with the dark-fantasy aesthetic of the Witcher brand.
• Optimization Oversight: Lead the charge on performance profiling and debugging, ensuring the game runs smoothly even during intense multiplayer combat.

3. External Collaboration & Outsourcing

• Vendor Management: Oversee relationships with external VFX partners. This includes preparing detailed creative briefs, conducting quality reviews, and ensuring outsourced assets integrate seamlessly into the internal pipeline.

Job Requirements & Qualifications

Experience & Leadership

• Industry Tenure: Minimum of 8 years of professional experience as a VFX Artist in the gaming industry.
• Proven Leadership: You must have shipped at least one AAA title in a Lead or Senior Leadership capacity.
• Mentorship: A track record of developing talent and influencing the creative direction of major projects.

Technical Mastery

• Unreal Engine 5: Expert-level knowledge of UE5, specifically Niagara and the material framework.
• Simulation Mastery: Deep proficiency in both real-time and baked simulations (fluids, particles, rigid bodies).
• Tooling: Strong command of SideFX Houdini and PBR workflows.
• Optimization: Advanced skills in shader optimization and technical debugging for console and PC.

Communication

• Fluency: Excellent written and spoken English.
• Soft Skills: Ability to present complex technical ideas to non-technical stakeholders with clarity and empathy.

Relocation Support: Moving to Warsaw

We understand that moving countries is a life-changing event. CD PROJEKT RED provides a comprehensive “concierge” relocation service:

• The Basics: Flight tickets for you and your family, and shipping costs for your household belongings.
• The Landing: A company-provided apartment for your first month and assistance in finding permanent housing.
• The Family: We cover the relocation of your pets and help with school/childcare research for parents.
• The Paperwork: Full handling of legalization, work permits, and tax settlements.
• Language: Free Polish lessons for you and your spouse/partner.

Health, Well-being & Perks

Our Warsaw studio is designed to be a second home, offering amenities that support both your physical and mental health:

• Medical Excellence: Private healthcare including dental care and unlimited rehabilitation (accessible for your family/partners too).
• Mental Health: Free psychological and psychiatric care, along with regular well-being webinars.
• Fitness: On-site gym with a climbing wall, yoga, and boxing classes. MultiSport cards for city-wide facility access.
• Inclusive Leave: 20–26 days of holiday, paid sick leave, and Menstrual Leave (one extra day off per month for period pain).
• Parents: The “RED Parents Network” offers childcare benefits and the RED Summer Camp for children (5–12 years old).
• Dog-Friendly: We encourage you to bring your four-legged friends to the office!

Application Process

To be considered for this leadership position, please submit the following:

1. A Masterclass Portfolio: We require a reel that demonstrates not only artistic excellence but also technical complexity and leadership (e.g., sequences you supervised).
2. Leadership Philosophy: A brief note on how you manage creative teams and handle technical debt.
3. Resume: Clearly outlining your AAA shipped titles and leadership roles.