Unreal Engine 5 jobs- Realtime FX Artists , Waterproof Studios

Unreal Engine 5 Job Summary

Company Overview

At Waterproof Studios, we are masters of cutting-edge digital storytelling. We blend the boundary between traditional cinematic quality and real-time innovation to create breathtaking, immersive experiences. Our pipeline thrives on pushing technology to its limits, and our team is made up of passionate industry veterans who live for the details.

We are currently looking for a highly skilled, visionary Realtime FX Artist who specializes in Unreal Engine 5 to join our elite creative crew. If you are an artist who loves the intersection of technical logic and stunning visual artistry, we want to build something incredible with you.

The Role

Waterproof Studios is seeking an artist to craft AAA-quality real-time visual effects that don’t just sit in a scene, but actively elevate our cinematic narratives. In this role, you won’t just be placing stock assets; you will be authoring bespoke, jaw-dropping phenomena.

From massive, chaotic explosive simulations to the subtle, ambient atmospheric dust that grounds an entire environment, your work will define the mood, weight, and energy of our projects. You will work closely with Art Directors, Technical Directors, and Cinematic Leads to ensure all FX integrate seamlessly into the final frame while maintaining optimal real-time performance.

Key Responsibilities as a Unreal Engine 5 FX Artist

• VFX Design & Implementation: Design, author, and implement high-fidelity real-time FX using Unreal Engine 5’s Niagara system, matching the aesthetic and scale of AAA cinematic projects.
• Simulation & Baking: Utilize external simulation tools to generate complex fluid, smoke, fire, and destruction data, baking them efficiently into real-time formats (flipbooks, vector fields, static meshes).
• Material & Shader Creation: Write and optimize complex HLSL/node-based shaders within Unreal Engine to drive dynamic, responsive visual effects.
• Environmental Artistry: Craft rich ambient atmospheric elements—such as fog, weather systems, embers, and magical energies—that enhance world-building and composition.
• Performance Optimization: Collaborate with the technical team to profile and optimize FX assets, ensuring they hit rigid real-time performance targets without compromising visual integrity.

What We Are Looking For

To truly excel in this position, you must bring a high level of proficiency and technical curiosity to the following areas:

• Unreal Engine 5 Mastery: Absolute fluency in UE5 is a strict requirement. You must have deep, hands-on experience navigating its rendering pipeline and maximizing the Niagara framework.
• Advanced Toolset Knowledge: While the final output lives in Unreal, strong proficiency in Houdini and EmberGen is incredibly valuable. We look highly upon artists who leverage these tools for advanced physics, pyro, and fluid simulations.
• Cinematic Eye: A sophisticated understanding of timing, scale, weight, color theory, and lighting. You know how to make an impact look devastating and a magical flare look organic.
• Problem-Solving Mindset: The ability to look at a complex creative request and figure out the smartest, most efficient technical route to achieve it in real time.

Submission Requirements & Eligibility

Important Note: This position is strictly open to North American Applicants only. Please ensure you meet this geographic requirement before applying.

To apply, please submit your resume alongside a link to your current FX reel. Your reel should showcase:

1. High-end, real-time FX work demonstrating a mix of both simulation (pyro/destruction) and stylized ambient work.
2. Clear breakdowns detailing your exact workflow, including software used (e.g., Houdini to UE5 pipeline).
3. Examples demonstrating an eye for cinematic composition and realistic physics.

If you are ready to craft the future of real-time cinematics, apply to Waterproof Studios today!