People Can Fly hiring Senior VFX Artist (AAA Gaming), Canada

People Can Fly (PCF), a premier independent AAA game development studio with over two decades of industry-leading experience, is seeking a high-caliber Senior VFX Artist to join our Montreal-based team. This role is pivotal for an Unannounced 2025 Project, offering the opportunity to work on cutting-edge titles like Gears of War: E-Day and original IPs. We are looking for a visionary who can bridge the gap between technical constraints and breathtaking artistic direction.

Job Overview : Senior VFX Artist

Category	Details
Company Name	People Can Fly (PCF)
Position Title	Senior VFX Artist (Artiste Senior, Effets Visuels)
Job Type	Full-Time, Permanent
Project	Unannounced AAA Project 2025
Primary Location	405 Av. Ogilvy, Montréal, QC H3N 1M3, Canada
Work Model	Remote / Hybrid / On-site (Employee Choice)
Department	Art
Experience Level	Senior / Lead Potential
Language Requirement	Proficiency in English (Global Stakeholder Interaction)

Estimated Compensation & Financial Benefits

Note: Specific salary figures are often negotiated based on the candidate’s portfolio and years of experience within the AAA industry.

Benefit Type	Provision
Annual Salary Range	Competitive AAA Industry Standard (Based on Experience)
RRSP Matching	4% Match (100% Vested from Day 1)
Insurance Premiums	100% Employer-Paid (No cost to employee)
Health Reimbursement	100% reimbursement (up to $1,000 per service/year)
Dental Coverage	Full coverage, including major dental procedures
Time Off	20 Vacation Days + 5 Sick Days + Paid Winter Holiday Week

Founded in 2002, People Can Fly has carved a permanent legacy in the shooter and action genres. With a pedigree that includes Painkiller, Bulletstorm, Gears of War: Judgment, and Outriders, we are recognized as one of the most proficient Unreal Engine studios globally.

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Our international presence spans Poland, the UK, Ireland, the USA, and Canada. We believe in a “People First” culture, providing the tools and flexibility for artists to perfect their craft while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Joining PCF means joining a journey to build the next generation of action games for a global audience.

Detailed Job Responsibilities

1. Artistic Vision & Quality Control

The Senior VFX Artist is the guardian of the project’s visual signature. You will:

Translate Concepts: Take 2D concept art and design documents and transform them into high-fidelity, real-time 3D visual effects.
Maintain Direction: Collaborate directly with the Art Director to ensure all FX work aligns with the project’s unique universe.
Atmospheric Storytelling: Oversee the creation of ambient environment effects that enhance the mood, provide narrative depth, and make the game world feel immersive and “alive.”
Stylized Excellence: Apply deep knowledge of stylized real-time VFX to create effects that are both technically optimized and artistically stunning.

2. Technical Execution & Integration

In this role, you aren’t just making “pretty” particles; you are building a functional system:

System Mastery: Create and implement particle and shader-based FX using tools like Niagara, VFX Graph, and Houdini.
Gameplay Synergy: Integrate FX seamlessly into both active gameplay and cinematic sequences, ensuring they provide necessary feedback to the player.
Visual Scripting: Use Blueprints or similar visual scripting tools to drive complex FX logic.
Performance Optimization: Ensure all effects run within strict performance budgets, proactively identifying risks related to draw calls, overdraw, and memory usage.

3. Leadership, Mentorship & Recruitment

As a Senior member of the Art Department, you will:

Peer Mentoring: Act as a guide for junior FX artists, helping them balance artistic vision with runtime efficiency.
Knowledge Sharing: Lead R&D initiatives to explore new techniques and improve the overall studio pipeline.
Inter-departmental Liaison: Communicate effectively with Animation, Combat Design, Lighting, and Engineering departments to ensure work is integrated correctly into game builds.
Talent Acquisition: Collaborate with HR to lead recruitment projects, identifying the next generation of VFX talent for the studio.

Candidate Qualifications

Required Expertise

VFX Portfolio: A proven track record as a VFX Artist in the gaming industry with a portfolio showcasing high-quality real-time effects.
Software Proficiency: Advanced skills in Maya (or equivalent), Houdini, and real-time engine tools (Niagara/VFX Graph).
Shader Authoring: Strong grounding in building complex shaders and understanding modern PBR pipelines.
Problem Solving: A proactive approach to debugging complex real-time FX and technical constraints.
Action Game Mindset: A passion for action/melee games, with an understanding of how FX timing and readability influence the “feel” of combat.

The “Ideal” Candidate (Bonus Points)

Experience shipping at least one AAA title.
Ability to hand-draw FX textures and create traditional flipbook animations.
Experience with Houdini procedural systems and batch conversion for legacy assets.
A “Tool-Driven” mindset: Thriving in environments where automation and reusability are prioritized.

Working at our Montreal studio (or remotely within Canada) provides a unique blend of independent studio agility and AAA stability.

Health & Well-being

We understand that high-performance creative work requires rest and support.

Virtual Healthcare: Access to mental well-being sessions and virtual health consultations for you and your dependents.
Work-Life Balance: We work closely with the production team to set clear expectations and scopes of work, preventing “crunch” and ensuring you have time for life outside of the studio.

Global Growth

You will be part of a global environment, interacting with colleagues from across Europe and North America. This provides unparalleled opportunities for personal development and networking within the highest levels of the game industry.

Application Guidelines

To be considered for this role, please ensure your application includes:

1. An Updated Resume: Highlighting your experience with Unreal Engine and specific VFX tools.
2. A Reel/Portfolio Link: Applications without a visual representation of your work cannot be processed.
3. Cover Letter (Optional): Tell us why you are passionate about the action genre and what you can bring to an unannounced project.

Note on Language: While we are located in the heart of Montreal, our stakeholders are international. Therefore, proficiency in English is a requirement for this specific role to ensure smooth communication with our global partners.

Join the Flight

At People Can Fly, we don’t just make games; we create unforgettable experiences. If you are a Senior VFX Artist who thrives on pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in Unreal Engine, we want to hear from you.

Apply today to take your craft to new heights.