🎮 Motive Studio (Electronic Arts) Hiring - Senior Houdini VFX Artist (Iron Man Project)

At Motive Studio , an Electronic Arts (EA) studio, we believe in the power of immersive storytelling. We are on a mission to build AAA action games that place the player at the center of legendary experiences. From the adrenaline-fueled dogfights of Star Wars™: Squadrons to the atmospheric terror of Dead Space™ ,

our work is defined by a commitment to pushing creative and technical boundaries. Now, we are embarking on our most ambitious journey yet: bringing Marvel’s Iron Man™ to life in a brand-new action-adventure title. We are looking for a Senior Houdini VFX Artist to join our team in Montreal and help us define the visual language of this iconic hero.

About the Role

As a Senior Houdini VFX Artist at Motive Studio, you will sit at the intersection of artistry and technical engineering. You will be a vital member of our Cinematics & VFX team, responsible for designing and delivering real-time effects that aren’t just visually stunning—they are the heartbeat of our gameplay and storytelling. Whether it is the intricate energy signature of an Iron Man repulsor blast or the chaotic physics of a massive environmental destruction sequence, your work will directly elevate the player experience.

Job Summary: Senior Houdini VFX Artist

Details

Motive Studio (Electronic Arts)

Senior Houdini VFX Artist

Marvel’s Iron Man™ Action-Adventure

Montreal, QC (Hybrid)

5+ years in AAA gaming/film

Houdini, Unreal Engine, Maya/Max

Negotiable

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will be given the autonomy to innovate within our VFX pipeline:

• Real-Time FX Design: Design and implement high-quality real-time effects, including complex particles, advanced shaders, dynamic simulations, and custom textures.

• Houdini Pipeline Development: Spearhead the development of Houdini-based pipelines for destruction, fluids, rigid body simulations, and procedural content generation.

• Engine Integration: Build and optimize FX assets within Unreal Engine , ensuring a perfect balance between high-end visual fidelity and rigorous performance requirements.

• Immersive Effects: Create a wide array of in-game particle FX, ranging from weapons and vehicles to environmental shifts and massive-scale destruction.

• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Work shoulder-to-shoulder with Art, Design, and Engineering teams to ensure that the VFX not only look incredible but also serve the specific gameplay and narrative goals of the Iron Man project.

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking a seasoned professional who brings both a sharp artistic eye and deep technical expertise:

• Experience: A minimum of 5+ years of VFX experience in the gaming or film industry, with a proven track record of shipping AAA console titles.
• Technical Mastery: Expert-level proficiency in Houdini (specifically in destruction, simulations, and PCG).
• Software Proficiency: Strong skills in Photoshop, After Effects, Nuke, and 3D packages like Maya or 3ds Max.
• Artistic Foundation: Deep knowledge of environmental FX, lighting, and physics-based dynamics.
• Soft Skills: A great communicator with a proactive approach to problem-solving and a passion for technical excellence.
• Bonus Points: Proficiency in Unreal Engine 5 / Niagara , experience with Substance, and scripting capabilities in Python or HLSL are highly desired.

Portfolio Requirements

Your portfolio is your best introduction. Please include a link to a demo reel that includes clear breakdowns of your personal contributions. Your showcase should demonstrate:

• Natural/Organic FX: Smoke, fire, and fluids.

• Fantasy/Action FX: Explosions, energy beams, and impact effects.

• Dynamics: Rigid and soft-body simulations.

• Technical Depth: Real-time engine implementation, modeling, texturing, and lighting.

Why Join Motive?

When you join Motive Studio, you are joining the broader Electronic Arts family. We offer a world-class environment where your work reaches millions of players. We foster a culture of passion, inclusion, and creative ambition—where we don’t just follow industry standards, we set them.

When building highly complex physics simulations, what strategies do you use to ensure they remain performant enough for real-time play without sacrificing the “hero” quality required for a major AAA action title?