VFX Technical Artist

Company Description  When Tides Turn is a small independent UK game studio developing Wreckreation 2, an open-world arcade racing game for PC and console. Wreckreation 2 is built around fast, aggressive racing where every race is a battle. Players fight for position, take down rivals, use traffic and shortcuts to their advantage, and earn Boost by taking risks and getting involved in the action. We're an experienced team developing the game independently and working directly with players throughout development. We're small enough that everyone has a meaningful influence on the game. Role Description  We're looking for a VFX Technical Artist to help us improve the visual impact of Wreckreation 2, particularly around speed, Boost, collisions, Takedowns, crashes and destruction. This isn't just about creating good-looking effects in isolation. We need someone who is comfortable getting VFX working properly in-game, collaborating directly with programmers and artists, understanding the technical constraints and making sure effects perform well as part of the overall game. This is a remote role working with our existing team. The work will include creating and implementing real-time VFX, improving existing effects, profiling and optimising them, troubleshooting technical issues and helping us get more visual impact from the game without compromising performance. We're working in Unreal Engine 4, so practical UE4 experience is particularly useful. Qualifications Strong experience creating and implementing real-time VFX in games in Unreal Engine 4. Good knowledge of particle systems, materials/shaders and other techniques used to create real-time effects in games. A strong understanding of timing, motion and visual impact, particularly for fast-moving gameplay. Ability to profile, debug and optimise VFX for PC and console - performance is not somebody else's problem! Comfortable working directly with artists and programmers to solve problems in-engine. A portfolio or showreel demonstrating relevant in-game VFX work. What we offer The chance to have a visible impact on a game that's already in active development and being played by players. A small, experienced team where you'll work directly with the people making the game and can see your work in-game quickly. Interesting technical and creative VFX problems around speed, crashes, collisions and destruction. Remote working, with flexibility around how the role is structured. We're open to discussing contract, freelance or potentially permanent arrangements depending on the person and their availability. Competitive pay, based on experience and the nature of the arrangement.