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3D Graphics Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Embedded Software Engineer 2

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$148K - $194K/yr

Overview We are seeking a full-time Embedded Software Engineer - 3D Graphics , for Garmin's Chandler, AZ location. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the advancement of aviation ...

Qualifications * 8+ years of engineering including leadership of 3D/graphics or real-time rendering teams. * Deep React Three Fiber and Three.js production experience; strong WebGL fundamentals.

Qualifications • 8+ years of engineering including leadership of 3D/graphics or real-time rendering teams. • Deep React Three Fiber and Three.js production experience; strong WebGL fundamentals ...

GPU Software Engineer Location: San Jose, CA Duration: 6+ months contract (Long Term) Roles and ... Experience implementing 3D graphics features such as lighting, effects, shaders and other low-level ...

Senior 3D Engineer

Glendale, CA · On-site

$110K - $152K/yr

Qualifications * 5+ years of front-end/graphics engineering with production Three.js or React Three Fiber. * Strong 3D fundamentals: scene graphs, materials, lighting, geometry, GPU performance - and ...

Showing results 41-60

3D Graphics Engineer information

See California salary details

$112K

$166.5K

$180.5K

How much do 3d graphics engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for 3d graphics engineer in California is $166,510.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $145,200.00 and $179,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a 3d graphics engineer do?

A 3D Graphics Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing software that renders three-dimensional visuals in applications such as video games, virtual reality, simulations, and animation. They work with graphics APIs like OpenGL, DirectX, or Vulkan, and often collaborate closely with artists and designers to achieve visually appealing and performant results. Their work involves implementing shaders, managing asset pipelines, troubleshooting graphical issues, and ensuring smooth real-time rendering experiences.

What are some common challenges 3d graphics engineers face when optimizing real-time rendering performance?

3D Graphics Engineers often encounter challenges in balancing visual fidelity with real-time performance, especially when working on projects like games or interactive simulations. Optimizing shaders, managing memory efficiently, and reducing draw calls are frequent tasks that require a deep understanding of both hardware limitations and software algorithms. Collaboration with artists and other engineers is essential to ensure that assets and code are optimized without sacrificing quality. Staying current with evolving graphics APIs and hardware advancements is also crucial for maintaining optimal performance.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a 3d graphics engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a 3D Graphics Engineer, you need a solid background in computer science, mathematics, and 3D graphics programming, often supported by a relevant degree or equivalent experience. Expertise with graphics APIs such as OpenGL, DirectX, or Vulkan, and experience with shader languages and 3D engines, are typically required. Strong problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration skills help you design efficient visual solutions and work with multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualities are crucial for creating high-performance, visually compelling graphics that enhance user experiences in applications and games.

What cities in California are hiring for 3D Graphics Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most 3D Graphics Engineer job openings:

Sr. Software Development Engineer - Indoors GIS AI and Reality

Redlands, CA • On-site

Esri
Scientific Research and Development Services • 1 - 5K employees

$123K - $162K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago


Esri rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Overview

Join our Indoor GIS team as a Senior Software Developer and help shape the future of how people understand, navigate, and interact with the built environment. You will lead the development of advanced Indoor GIS capabilities that combine AI, computer vision, 3D reality capture, and spatial data to automate indoor mapping workflows and create innovative geospatial products from floor plans, 3D scans, and 360 imagery. 

As a senior engineer, you will own complex features end-to-end, drive technical direction, mentor developers, and work across teams to turn emerging AI technologies into production-ready solutions. If you enjoy solving challenging problems and working with technologies like Large Language Models, computer vision, 3D graphics, and geospatial systems, this role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on the future of Indoor GIS. 

Indoor GIS supports mission-critical operations for public safety agencies, helping police, fire, and emergency responders quickly understand complex buildings during emergency incidents. It also enables organizations such as airports, hospitals, campuses, and enterprises to optimize space utilization, manage occupants and visitors, and improve indoor navigation and wayfinding experiences. 

Esri has a Relocation Assistance Program and can provide support with relocating to the Redlands, CA area for this position.

Responsibilities

  • Prototype, architect, and implement production-quality components for AI-assisted indoor mapping, feature extraction, indoor reality visualization, and geospatial data creation workflows
  • Lead technical exploration of Gaussian splats, 3D mesh-derived level generation, visual positioning, semantic search, and reality capture integration patterns for Indoor GIS
  • Partner with product engineers and managers, UX designers, and development teams to define feasible milestones when the boundary between research, product development, and platform integration is still uncertain
  • Design and develop robust C++, C# and Python components that handle spatial data, imagery, video frames, geometry processing, model evaluation, and quality-review workflows
  • Evaluate and integrate LLMs, multimodal models, embedding/vector search, and computer vision models where they can improve automation, validation, and user experience
  • Create technical specifications, test strategies, benchmark plans, and implementation guidance suitable for AI-assisted coding and spec-driven development workflows
  • Mentor engineers, review designs and code, and help establish engineering standards for maintainable AI/ML, computer vision, and 3D software within Indoor GIS products
  • Communicate technical findings and tradeoffs clearly to engineering leadership and stakeholders, including risks, dependencies, data requirements, performance implications, and integration options
  • Champion spec-driven and AI-assisted development practices across the team
  • Lead code reviews and uphold software quality standards
  • Communicate technical findings, tradeoffs, and progress to both engineering and product audiences

Requirements

  • 5+ years of professional software development experience, with a track record of owning and shipping complex software features
  • Proficiency in two or more of: C++, C#/.NET, Python-with depth in at least one
  • Demonstrated experience integrating or building with AI/ML technologies in production or near-production contexts
  • Strong command of software architecture, algorithms, and data structures
  • Experience with image analysis, computer vision, or 3D/graphics programming
  • Ability to work independently across ambiguous problem spaces and make sound technical judgments
  • Strong communication skills. Able to explain technical tradeoffs to both engineers and non-technical stakeholders
  • Experience mentoring or technically guiding other engineers
  • Experience in AI-driven software development, with AI generating code using Microsoft Copilot, Claude Code, or a similar LLM framework
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related STEM field

Recommended Qualifications

  • Experience with ArcGIS, floor-aware maps, indoor positioning, CAD/BIM/Revit, LiDAR, 360 imagery, or reality capture workflows
  • Experience with Gaussian splats, mesh processing, scene layers, WebGL/DirectX/OpenGL, game engines, or 3D visualization pipelines
  • Experience building RAG systems, semantic search, vector databases, MCP/tool integrations, or agentic workflows for developer or analyst productivity
  • Experience shipping AI-assisted workflows that include user review, confidence scoring, bulk validation, human-in-the-loop correction, and repeatable QA metrics
  • Experience with OpenCV, ONNX, CUDA/GPU acceleration, model benchmarking, or productionizing research code
  • Master's degree or higher in Computer Science with specialization in Computer Vision, AI/ML, Graphics, Robotics, or a related STEM field

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About ESRI

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Our passion for improving quality of life through geography is at the heart of everything we do. Esri's geographic information system (GIS) technology inspires and enables governments, universities, and businesses worldwide to save money, lives, and our environment through a deeper understanding of the changing world around them.

Industry

Scientific research and development services

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Redlands, CA, US

Year founded

1969