Contract Unity Software Developer Jobs in California

Team Name:
Unannounced Project
Job Title:
Principal Graphics Engineer, Unity | Unannounced Project - Irvine, CA
Requisition ID:
R027082
Job Description:
At Blizzard, we craft genre-defining games and legendary worlds for all to share. Through unparalleled creativity and storytelling, we create immersive universes and iconic characters that are beloved across platforms, borders, backgrounds, and generations only made possible by building a work environment that cultivates the artistry of game development and unleashes the aspirations of our people.
We are looking for a Principal Software Engineer to help craft a new, unannounced game at Blizzard. Our team values creativity, collaboration, and a dedication to quality, and we are searching for contributors aligned to our core Blizzard values to join our team of dedicated game makers.
As a key member of the development team, you will be responsible for shaping the rendering architecture and visual pipelines that power high-quality, scalable player experiences across multiple platforms. You are comfortable operating in a dynamic environment, navigating fluid priorities while maintaining strong technical vision and ownership.
This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, with some work on-site and some work from home. The potential home studio for this role is Irvine, CA.
Remote candidates within the United States and Canada will also be considered.
Responsibilities

• Designs and implements rendering systems, shader frameworks, and graphics pipelines in Unity to support high-quality visuals across multiple platforms.
• Partners closely with artists and technical artists to develop scalable art workflows, asset pipelines, and tools that enable efficient content creation.
• Profiles and optimizes CPU, GPU, memory, and asset performance to ensure players can enjoy the game with smooth performance and minimal time to fun.
• Develops and improves asset delivery and patching workflows for the game client, including asset bundling strategies that support efficient and seamless updates.
• Mentors and collaborates with other engineers, helping guide graphics and runtime architecture while setting a strong technical vision for visual systems and pipelines.

Minimum Requirements
Experience

• 13+ years of professional software engineering experience, including significant hands-on experience in real-time graphics or rendering engineering on shipped Unity games across multiple platforms.
• Deep experience building and optimising graphics systems in Unity, including familiarity with the Universal Render Pipeline (URP) and/or Scriptable Render Pipelines (SRP).
• Advanced experience developing and optimising shaders using HLSL and ShaderLab, including GPU techniques such as compute shaders.
• Significant experience in real-time graphics or rendering engineering on shipped Unity games released across multiple platforms.
• Deep experience building and optimizing graphics systems in Unity, including familiarity with Universal Render Pipeline or Scriptable Render Pipelines.
• Advanced experience developing and optimizing shaders using HLSL and ShaderLab, including GPU techniques such as compute shaders.

Skills & Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of modern real-time rendering techniques, including physically based rendering, lighting and shadowing, post-processing, and material systems.
• Expertise in profiling and optimizing CPU, GPU, memory usage, and asset loading during both gameplay and runtime.
• Experience working within graphics performance budgets, texture streaming strategies, and asset memory management across platforms.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively within teams and foster productive partnerships across all disciplines.
• Demonstrated ability to inspire colleagues through an enthusiastic approach to game development and a commitment to continuous improvement of core skills.
• Ability to take initiative and manage responsibilities independently, demonstrating strong ownership and accountability.
• Experienced and knowledgeable player of a wide range of games, using this perspective to inform creative and technical decisions.

Extra Points

• Experience developing shared libraries, rendering tools, or art workflow improvements in Unity.
• Experience working with audio middleware such as Wwise, FMOD, or Fabric within Unity-based games.
• Familiarity with Blizzard games.

Required Application Materials

• Resume.
• Portfolio, GitHub, or examples of relevant technical work (if available).

Your Platform
At Blizzard Entertainment, we pour our hearts and souls into everything we create. Best known for iconic game universes including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®, we've been creating genre-defining experiences for millions of players around the world for more than 30 years. Hard work, iteration, and polish go into the Blizzard "secret recipe," but the most important ingredients come from talented people who share our vision.
Our World
Blizzard Entertainment, Inc., a division of Activision Blizzard and part of Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard has created some of the industry's most critically acclaimed games over the last 30 years and engages tens of millions of players around the world with titles available across console and PC platforms.
Our ability to build immersive and innovative worlds is enhanced by diverse teams working in an inclusive environment. We aspire to create a culture where everyone can thrive while connecting players through epic entertainment. We provide a comprehensive benefits package that supports physical, emotional, and financial well-being.
The videogame industry is fast-paced and continues to evolve. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this role may be adjusted as needed to support our games and our players.
We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about shaping the future of games. Not sure you meet every qualification? Let us decide. Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups are less likely to apply unless they meet every requirement-when in fact, they often do. We are committed to building diverse, inclusive teams and strongly encourage you to apply.
Rewards
We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for 'Every World' - we've got our employees covered! Subject to eligibility requirements, the Company offers comprehensive benefits including:

• Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance;
• 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching;
• Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave;
• Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others;
• If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.

Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company. You can learn more by visiting https://www.benefitsforeveryworld.com/.
In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $146,000.00 - $270,004.00 Annual. These values reflect the expected base pay range of new hires across all U.S. locations. Ultimately, your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. Your Talent Professional can share this role's range details for your local geography during the hiring process. In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed. While we strive to provide competitive offers to successful candidates, new hire compensation is negotiable.