Company Description
We're constantly working with some of the world's largest Publishers and most popular AAA games. Here in Australia we have studios located in Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne and employ about two hundred of Australia's leading game professionals. Our studio brands operating under the Keywords Studios group are Tantalus Media (Vic, SA, Qld), and Liquid Development (Vic, SA, Qld).
This position is to be hired into the Liquid Development studio brand:
https://www.liquiddevelopment.com/
https://www.artstation.com/liquiddevelopment
Liquid Development was founded in 2000 and is the largest outsourcing art studio in North America. Liquid Development is producing work at the forefront of modern game production, and the demand for our services continues to grow. Our team has contributed to AAA titles within the Halo, Mass Effect, Borderlands, and Call of Duty franchises.
Liquid Development expanded into Australia in 2026, and now consists of 30+ talented creatives across Australia. We offer a fun and cooperative work atmosphere, where collaboration is encouraged among a diversely skilled team, to remain on the cutting edge of content creation. Liquid Development collaborates closely with Tantalus Media - together we create full scope projects for some of the biggest game publishers in the world.
These positions are preferably based in either Adelaide, Brisbane, or Melbourne. Other Australian cities will be considered as remote based.
Job Description
Ownership & Rendering
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Drive the creation and optimisation of complex real-time VFX and shader networks to achieve the game's visual goals.
Design, implement, and optimise complex real-time shader networks and materials to support both VFX and general rendering needs (e.g., custom rendering passes, post-effects).
Research and integrate innovative rendering techniques, specialised VFX tools and procedural methods to push the visual quality bar.
Pipeline Engineering & Optimisation
Develop and maintain robust tools, scripts, and processes that facilitate content creation, focussing on automation and improving team productivity and user experience.
Establish and govern content creation standards and technical specifications for all art assets, personally overseeing optimisation, integration and validation prior to certification.
Lead the advancement and maintenance of the art production pipeline, ensuring smooth data flow and technical stability between DCC packages and the game engine.
Cross Discipline Collaboration
Act as the primary technical liaison between the Art, Design, and Engineering teams, translating artistic requirements into technical specifications and engineering limitations into actionable art goals.
Serve as the go-to for the Art and Animation teams, providing prompt technical support, troubleshooting complex bugs, and resolving pipeline blockages.
Share learnings, technical insights, and new workflows across the studio, actively mentoring mid-level and junior artists on best practices in real-time VFX and optimisation.
Documentation & Research
Create and maintain clear, up-to-date technical documentation on all tools, workflows, best practices and established art specifications.
Proactively identify technical debt and potential future production risks, proposing, testing and documenting long-term technical solutions.
Maintain an active awareness of emerging technologies, engine updates, and industry trends to ensure the studio's technical art practices remain competitive and efficient.
Qualifications
Approximately 5+ years of professional experience in the games industry.
Strong foundational knowledge of the art pipeline, an artistic eye and practical experience in art and animation content creation.
Demonstrated skills and interest across multiple technical domains: Shader development, VFX / Particles, Pipeline and tool development, and Real-time physics simulations.
Proven proficiency in scripting and coding in one or more core languages
Current, hands-on development experience with modern commercial game engines,
Strong foundational knowledge in at least one industry DCC package (Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, Adobe Suite) and advanced skills in at least one relevant development package (Houdini, EmberGen, After Effects, or Substance suite).
Strong attention to detail, excellent time management, problem-solving, and highly effective communication skills.
Desirable Skills and Experience
Previous production experience working on the demands and complexities of AAA game development.
Familiarity with console development, including platforms like Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox.
Specialised experience creating motion graphics, interface animations and in-engine visual effects (VFX) specifically designed for user interface elements.
skill set in traditional art, drawing, or painting, providing a solid foundation in composition, colour theory, and aesthetic sensibility.
Additional Information
If you'd like to know more about Keywords Studios we recommend visiting our corporate site HERE
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY
Keywords Studios is strongly committed to protecting your personal information. By sending your CV/Resume, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and consent to your data being managed and retained in accordance with our data privacy and retention policy https://www.keywordsstudios.com/en/applicant-privacy-notice/.
Role Information: EN
Studio: Keywords Studios
Location: Asia Pacific, Australia
Area of Work: Art Services
Service: Create
Employment Type: Full Time, Permanent
Working Pattern: Hybrid
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY
Keywords Studios is strongly committed to protecting your personal information. By sending your CV/Resume, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and consent to your data being managed and retained in accordance with our data privacy and retention policy https://www.keywordsstudios.com/en/applicant-privacy-notice/.
