VFX Artist - RuneScape: Dragonwilds

Location: Cambridge, UK – (This position can accommodate flexible working options. However, candidates must be based (or be willing to relocate) within a comfortable commuting distance of our Cambridge office to be able to attend onsite as required)

This role is a Fixed Term Contract anticipated to end mid-late 2027.
The Mid-Level VFX Artist is responsible for creating high-quality real-time visual effects that enhance gameplay, communicate game mechanics, and elevate the overall player experience. Working closely with art, design, animation, and engineering teams, you will design, build, and implement effects that are visually compelling, performant, and stylistically aligned with the project’s direction. This role balances creative artistry with technical problem-solving, contributing directly to the visual identity and moment-to-moment feel of the game.

What you’ll be doing:

• Create fantasy style visual effects including explosions, magic, weather, environment effects, UI effects, and character abilities. 
• Develop and evolve the VFX style so that it fits the world and makes the game as attractive and exciting as possible. Collaborate closely with the wider team to ensure clarity, readability, and gameplay feedback through VFX. 

• Work with the Art Director, TA Lead and VFX team to ensure effects match the style, tone, and technical constraints of the project. 

• Implement real time gameplay and cinematic VFX, with an optimized from the start approach.  

• Collaborate with Animators and Technical Artists to ensure smooth blending between animations, VFX timing, and character actions. 

• Collaborate with Environment Artists to maximize mood, appeal and sense of life and movement in all environments in the game. 

• Work with a high regard to implementation and performance costs and an active approach to profiling.  

• Work within and establish a clean VFX pipeline. Along the way, contributing creative ideas to improve the visual effects pipeline and overall presentation. 

• Troubleshoot and fix issues related to VFX behaviour, rendering, lighting, or integration. 

• Maintain clear documentation of VFX workflows, naming conventions, and implementation guidelines. 

• Provide feedback and occasional mentoring to junior VFX artists.

What we’re looking for:

• 2–4+ years of experience as a VFX Artist in the games industry, in an Unreal-Engine real-time environment. 

• Strong artistic fundamentals: colour theory, motion, timing, composition, shape language, and visual storytelling. 

• Ability to take direction, give constructive feedback, and work independently when needed 

• Experience creating shaders and materials for VFX 

• Experience implementing VFX using blueprints 

• A curated reel showcasing: 

• Gameplay effects (e.g., combat, abilities, impacts). 

• Environmental or atmospheric effects (fog, rain, fire, smoke, leaves, dust). 

• Use of shaders / materials created for VFX. 

• Examples of in-engine implementation. 

• Breakdown notes explaining your role, tools used, and any procedural workflows.