Job description

Our client is behind the #1 collectibles app on iOS , sitting right at the intersection of technology, entertainment, and culture. They process billions in volume annually, serve millions of users, and are backed by over $65M from top-tier venture firms. They are seeking a Senior VFX Artist to own and define the digital card pack opening experience for their flagship product. As the first dedicated game artist on the team , you will enjoy full creative autonomy with no creative director standing above you. This is your chance to craft the emotional, high-stakes moments that make rare pulls feel legendary for millions of users worldwide—with a clear trajectory to build and lead the VFX team as the company scales. What You Will Be Doing • Own the Core Experience: Design and animate the entire digital card pack opening flow—crafting the anticipation, escalation, and emotional payoff that makes every pull thrilling. • Establish the Baseline: Help set VFX standards and scalable pipelines that can stretch across 50+ themes and seasonal content drops. • Drive Art Direction: Take true ownership of in-game VFX without "design by committee" friction. • Build the Foundation: Collaborate as a founding game artist to construct the team's VFX pipeline, tools, and best practices. • Grow into Leadership: Transition into a player-coach lead role over time, with the opportunity to hire, mentor, and build out the game art department. What We Are Looking For • Experience: 1–5 years of hands-on experience in real-time VFX for games (mobile gaming experience preferred). • Tooling/Tech Stack: Proficiency with real-time engines and content creation tools such as Cocos Creator, Unity, Spine, After Effects, Rive, Houdini, Blender, or Photoshop . • High Agency: A self-starter who thrives in high-ownership environments, ships fast, and is obsessed with craft. • Location: Based in or willing to relocate to San Francisco, CA for an in-person / hybrid setup. What's in It for You? • Highly competitive base salary ($140K–$220K) + equity in a fast-growing, highly profitable startup. • Direct impact on a product used by millions of users daily. • Incredible mentorship and collaboration with an elite team of ex-quant traders, world-champion gamers, and top-tier engineers. • Relocation assistance available for the right candidate.

Requirements

Must-haves

What You Will Be Doing
Own the Core Experience: Design and animate the entire digital card pack opening flow—crafting the anticipation, escalation, and emotional payoff that makes every pull thrilling.
Establish the Baseline: Help set VFX standards and scalable pipelines that can stretch across 50+ themes and seasonal content drops.
Drive Art Direction: Take true ownership of in-game VFX without "design by committee" friction.
Build the Foundation: Collaborate as a founding game artist to construct the team's VFX pipeline, tools, and best practices.
Grow into Leadership: Transition into a player-coach lead role over time, with the opportunity to hire, mentor, and build out the game art department.
What We Are Looking For
Tooling/Tech Stack: Proficiency with real-time engines and content creation tools such as Cocos Creator, Unity, Spine, After Effects, Rive, Houdini, Blender, or Photoshop .
High Agency: A self-starter who thrives in high-ownership environments, ships fast, and is obsessed with craft.
Location: Based in or willing to relocate to San Francisco, CA for an in-person / hybrid setup.
What's in It for You?
Highly competitive base salary ($140K–$220K) + equity in a fast-growing, highly profitable startup.
Direct impact on a product used by millions of users daily.
Incredible mentorship and collaboration with an elite team of ex-quant traders, world-champion gamers, and top-tier engineers.
Relocation assistance available for the right candidate.

Nice-to-haves

Experience: 1–5 years of hands-on experience in real-time VFX for games (mobile gaming experience preferred).

Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

Platform: manatal
Effort: medium