People Can Fly (PCF) is seeking a visionary and technically masterful Lead VFX Artist to join our Montreal team. This is a high-impact leadership role focused on one of the most iconic franchises in gaming history: Gears of War . As a Lead, you will not only push the boundaries of real-time effects in Unreal Engine 5 but also shape the culture and growth of a world-class VFX department. Whether you are operating from our Montreal creative hub or contributing through our flexible remote-work program, you will be instrumental in defining the visceral, high-fidelity visual language that defines a AAA action experience. Job Overview : Lead VFX Artist Category Details Company Name People Can Fly (PCF) Position Title Lead VFX Artist / Artiste VFX Principal(e) Project focus Gears of War: E-Day (Collaboration with Microsoft) Job Type Full-time Location Montreal, QC (Remote / Hybrid / On-site) Estimated Salary Range $120,000 – $175,000 CAD (Commensurate with experience) Department Art Minimum Experience 7+ Years in Game Dev (5+ Years in Unreal Engine) Core Technology Unreal Engine 5 (Niagara), Houdini, EmberGen About People Can Fly Founded in 2002, People Can Fly has established itself as a global leader in AAA shooter development. Our legacy includes genre-defining titles like Painkiller, Bulletstorm, Gears of War: Judgment, and the expansive sci-fi RPG-shooter Outriders. We are renowned for our deep technical expertise with Unreal Engine, often pushing the engine to its absolute limits through our proprietary "PCF Framework." Today, our international team spans Poland, the UK, Ireland, the US, and Canada. We are currently embarked on our most ambitious chapter yet, working on Gears of War: E-Day in partnership with Microsoft, Project Echo for KRAFTON, and our original internal IP, Lost Rift . Joining PCF Montreal means joining a legacy of visceral combat and technical excellence. Your Mission: Defining the Visual Spectacle As the Lead VFX Artist, you are the architect of the "wow" moments. You bridge the gap between static concept art and a living, breathing, explosive world. You will oversee a team of artists tasked with creating everything from the subtle atmospheric dust of a crumbling ruin to the bone-crunching impact of a Lancer chainsaw. 1. Visionary Leadership & Team Growth Atmosphere & Culture: You are responsible for fostering an engaging, creative, and psychologically safe atmosphere. Your goal is to inspire your team to produce their best work while ensuring their personal professional growth. Recruitment & Onboarding: In collaboration with HR, you will lead the charge in identifying new talent, conducting interviews, and ensuring a seamless onboarding process for new "Flyers." Performance Management: You will conduct regular performance and compensation reviews, providing clear, actionable feedback to help your artists level up. 2. Artistic Excellence & Quality Control High-Fidelity Creation: You will produce and oversee the production of high-quality VFX that align perfectly with the gritty, cinematic universe of Gears of War. Concept Translation: You will take 2D concept art and design documents and translate them into functional, optimized, and breathtaking real-time prototypes. World Building: Beyond explosions, you will facilitate the creation of ambient environment effects—weather systems, fire, smoke, and atmospheric haze that tell a story and make the world feel inhabited. 3. Technical Innovation & Pipeline Optimization R&D Leadership: Partner with the Technical Art department to explore state-of-the-art techniques. You will drive initiatives to improve workflows and implement new tools (HLSL, Niagara, Baked Physics). Performance Analysis: AAA development requires a balance of beauty and performance. You will analyze scenes to identify bottlenecks and ensure all effects are optimized for next-gen hardware. Tool Development: Work alongside engineers to expand the VFX toolset, ensuring the team has the most efficient ways to build complex pixel and vertex shaders. 4. Strategic Collaboration Cross-Discipline Alignment: You will work with Lighting to ensure VFX reinforce the color palette and depth; with Designers to script narrative moments; and with Production to ensure tasks are scheduled realistically. Work-Life Balance: As a Lead, you are the guardian of your team’s time. You will work with Production to set clear expectations and scopes, ensuring deadlines are met without compromising the health of the team. Requirements & Qualifications We are looking for a veteran artist who possesses the "Gears" DNA—a love for gritty realism, cinematic flair, and technical perfection. Industry Veteran: 7+ years in console or PC game development, including at least 5 years of specialized experience in Unreal Engine. Leadership Track Record: Prior experience in a Lead or Principal capacity is essential. You must know how to guide a team through the pressures of a AAA production cycle. Portfolio Excellence: A world-class portfolio showcasing real-time VFX that demonstrate a mastery of timing, weight, color, and composition. Technical Mastery: Deep knowledge of UE5 tools (Niagara, Material Editor). Proficiency in modeling/sculpting software (Maya, Max, ZBrush). Strong understanding of animation principles and the physics of real-world objects. Ability to create complex pixel and vertex shaders . Fluency in scripting and the mathematical foundations of visual effects. Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication in English is required for collaboration with our international studios. The Nice-to-Haves: Experience with Houdini , JangaFX EmberGen , or writing custom HLSL shaders will set you apart. At PCF, we offer a people-first environment that combines the stability of a massive AAA studio with the creative soul of an independent developer. RRSP Matching: We offer a 4% match that is 100% vested on Day 1. Professional Development: We provide ample opportunities for personal growth and the chance to work in a truly global environment. 100% Paid Benefits: PCF covers 100% of the insurance premiums for you and your family. Mental Health: Access to free virtual health and mental well-being sessions for members and dependents. Paid Time Off: 20 days of vacation, 5 sick days, and a fully paid week off during the Winter Holidays. Flexibility: We trust our Leads to manage their time. Whether you choose remote, hybrid, or on-site work, we provide the infrastructure to make you successful. Joining People Can Fly means joining a group of people who are genuinely passionate about what they do. We don’t just "make games"; we create experiences that resonate with millions of players worldwide. In our Montreal studio, located in the vibrant heart of the city at 405 Av. Ogilvy, you will find a collaborative, ego-free environment where the best idea always wins. We are one of the few studios in the world with the expertise to handle the Gears of War mantle. As the Lead VFX Artist, you will be the one who ensures that every spark, every drop of rain, and every explosion feels "Gears." Application Process If you have a critical eye for motion, a deep understanding of art fundamentals (shape, form, texture, and color), and the leadership skills to guide a talented team, we want to see your work. Ready to fly? Apply today and help us build the next generation of action games. People Can Fly is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Proficiency in English is required for this role due to the international nature of our collaboration. People Can Fly hiring Lead VFX Artist, Canada #J-18808-Ljbffr