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Visual Development Artist Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Ember Lab

Lead VFX Artist

Orange, CA · On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

As Lead VFX Artist, you will guide and elevate our visual effects, owning both technical and ... Lead visual effects creation - Guide the development and implementation of visually stunning and ...

Ember Lab

Lead VFX Artist

Orange, CA · On-site

As Lead VFX Artist, you will guide and elevate our visual effects, owning both technical and ... Lead visual effects creation Guide the development and implementation of visually stunning and ...

NYFA

Cinematic AI Specialist

Burbank, CA · On-site

$55 - $75/hr

Professional experience in filmmaking, media arts, design, creative technology, or related ... visual development, production integration, and creative direction. They will also gain a ...

cosm

Visual Effects Supervisor

Los Angeles, CA

$140K/yr

... of artists' work, and has overall responsibility for internal sign-off on "final" shots. In ... Work out necessary element, technical and R&D requirements * Attend shoots to ensure that VFX needs ...

cosm

Visual Effects Supervisor

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$140K/yr

... of artists' work, and has overall responsibility for internal sign-off on "final" shots. In ... Work out necessary element, technical and R&D requirements * Attend shoots to ensure that VFX needs ...

Brave Christian Schools

Visual Art Teacher

Dublin, CA · On-site

$50K - $63K/yr

Visual Arts Program Development * Help develop and strengthen visual arts opportunities for middle and high school students. * Plan and coordinate student art shows, exhibitions, displays ...

cosm

Visual Effects Supervisor

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$140K/yr

... of artists' work, and has overall responsibility for internal sign-off on "final" shots. In ... Work out necessary element, technical and R&D requirements * Attend shoots to ensure that VFX needs ...

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All JobsVisual Development Artist JobsVisual Development Artist Jobs in California

Visual Development Artist information

See California salary details

$36K

$106.4K

$150.5K

How much do visual development artist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for visual development artist in California is $106,416.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,300.00 and $150,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a visual development artist do?

As a Visual Development Artist, your day often begins by reviewing project briefs and collaborating with the art director or other team members to align on creative direction. You’ll spend a significant portion of your time sketching, painting, and revising environment designs, characters, or color scripts, either digitally or traditionally. Regular feedback sessions with the team are common, providing opportunities to iterate and improve your work. Throughout the day, you may also research visual references and ensure your designs are consistent with the project’s overall style and story. This mix of creative independent work and collaborative interaction is key to shaping the visual identity of the project.

What is a visual development artist?

A Visual Development Artist creates the overall look and feel of a project by designing characters, environments, props, and color schemes. They work closely with directors and art teams in animation, film, and gaming to establish a cohesive visual style. Their work helps guide the production team in bringing the story to life. This role requires strong artistic skills, creativity, and knowledge of digital painting and design tools.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a visual development artist?

To thrive as a Visual Development Artist, you need strong skills in drawing, color theory, composition, and storytelling, often backed by a degree in art or a related field. Proficiency with digital painting tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter, and knowledge of 3D software like Blender or Maya is typically required. Creativity, adaptability, and effective communication are crucial soft skills, helping you translate concepts into compelling visuals and collaborate with other team members. These abilities enable you to contribute high-quality visual assets that guide the look and feel of animation, film, or game projects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Visual Development Artist jobs in California? The most popular types of Visual Development Artist jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Visual Development Artist jobs in California? For Visual Development Artist jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Visual Development Artist jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Visual Development Artist jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Visual Development Artist jobs? Cities in California with the most Visual Development Artist job openings:
Visual Development Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Visual Development Artist job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 48% Full Time, and 52% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $106,416 per year, or $51.2 per hour.

Lead VFX Artist

Ember Lab

Orange, CA • On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

At Ember Lab, our goal is to create powerful, transformative experiences that impact people for a lifetime. Having released our debut game, Kena: Bridge of Spirits, in 2021 this journey is just beginning. We're looking for collaborative team members who share our passion for storytelling and are eager to help us shape the future of Ember Lab.


Job Summary:

As Lead VFX Artist, you will guide and elevate our visual effects, owning both technical and creative direction while mentoring other team members and contributing directly to production. You'll collaborate closely with art, design, and technical teams to bring our world to life through compelling and thrilling visuals that support immersive storytelling.

You will play a pivotal role in shaping the game's visual identity while ensuring that our visual effects support both gameplay and narrative goals. This is a leadership position for someone who can directly contribute while simultaneously guiding others on VFX tasks.


Key Responsibilities:

  • Mentor and grow the team - Manage, support, and inspire a team of VFX artists. Provide thoughtful feedback and help artists grow through regular critique and coaching.
  • Lead visual effects creation - Guide the development and implementation of visually stunning and optimized visual effects for characters, environments, and gameplay.
  • Own the visual and technical bar - Drive the artistic vision for the VFX team from concept to final implementation, including particles, shaders, textures, and simulations.
  • Partner with production - Collaborate closely with producers to estimate departmental needs, break down project tasks, and ensure scope and schedules align with team capacity.
  • Collaborate across disciplines - Work closely with animation, programming, tech art and design teams to integrate VFX seamlessly into the game with an eye to optimize performance and implement shader and material solutions.
  • Maintain and improve pipelines - Uphold technical standards and help refine tools and workflows for efficient asset production and integration.
  • Ensure performance targets - Validate that all assets meet engine and platform constraints, with a focus on quality, optimization, and consistency

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Art, Animation, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
  • Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in creating visual effects for video games, with a strong portfolio demonstrating your skills.
  • Proficiency at creating real-time VFX for Unreal Engine.
  • Experience with VFX optimization and performance profiling.
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
  • Strong communication and collaboration abilities, with the ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
  • Experience creating stylized FX textures from scratch.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience working on AAA game titles.
  • Familiarity with game development pipelines and processes.
  • Experience creating both stylized and realistic VFX.
  • Up-to-date knowledge of the VFX tools inside Unreal Engine 5, including Niagara Fluids and Chaos Destruction.
  • Knowledge of other VFX creation tools such as Houdini, Maya, and Photoshop.

Location

  • Onsite or Hybrid Preferred, Remote upon consideration


To apply:

  • Please include a portfolio.


Compensation: The anticipated base salary range for this position is $130,000-$170,000 USD annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills, experience, qualifications, and location. In addition to base salary, eligible employees may be considered for discretionary bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package.

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