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Engine Programmer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Hybrid 3 days preferred, flex in San Diego, CA Our client seeks a seasoned Unreal Engine Developer to build developer tooling and panels that run inside Unreal Engine to support animation and live ...

Work closely with engineering, design, data, and marketing to ship quickly, learn quickly, and hold a high bar for craft. What You'll Bring to Engine We're looking for someone ready to shape one of ...

New

Engine Manager

Dearborn, MI · On-site

$17.25 - $23.50/hr

Engineering Excellence & Quality Assurance * Technical Oversight: Ensure all engine designs adhere to internal design rules, satisfy Design Verification (DV) protocols, and meet all global regulatory ...

Collaborate with analytics engineering and data engineering to flag data quality issues, validate pipeline outputs, and ensure the underlying data powering Engine X reporting is reliable. * Develop ...

Engine Manager

Dearborn, MI

$17.25 - $23.50/hr

Knowledge of the Ford core engineering excellence process including FMEA, design rules, requirements, test methods, engineering specifications, and verification. * Experience in engine system FMEA ...

Lead the day-to-day activities of the Engine Engineering team. * Assign, prioritize, and balance engineering workloads. * Monitor progress against engineering schedules and project milestones.

Lead the day-to-day activities of the Engine Engineering team. * Assign, prioritize, and balance engineering workloads. * Monitor progress against engineering schedules and project milestones.

Engine Manager

Dearborn, MI

$17.25 - $23.50/hr

Knowledge of the Ford core engineering excellence process including FMEA, design rules, requirements, test methods, engineering specifications, and verification. * Experience in engine system FMEA ...

SEO Engineer

Brooklyn, NY · On-site

$122K/yr

The SEO Engineer is responsible for site auditing, technical analysis, competitive analysis, content engineering, and generative AI in support of growing Organic Search visibility for clients. Role ...

Be Seen First

Set up and conduct engine and powertrain development tests following engineering procedures and test plans. * Perform engine calibration activities to support development and validation programs.

New

Engine Technician

Miami, FL

$18 - $24.25/hr

Engine Technician If qualified and interested: Reach out to Emma at 843 972 1999 This role focuses ... Use diagnostic tools, technical manuals, and engineering documentation to identify faults ...

Engine Technician

Miami, FL

$18 - $24.25/hr

Engine Technician If qualified and interested: Text Duke at 631/513/1840 This role focuses on ... Use diagnostic tools, technical manuals, and engineering documentation to identify faults ...

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How much do engine programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for engine programmer in the United States is $39.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.72 and $51.44 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is an engine programmer in demand?

Engine programmers are in high demand within the gaming, simulation, and graphics industries due to their specialized skills in developing core systems and optimizing performance. Employers seek candidates with proficiency in programming languages like C++ and experience with game engines such as Unreal or Unity. The role often requires a strong understanding of computer graphics, physics, and real-time rendering.

What do engine programmers do?

Engine programmers develop and maintain the core software that powers video game or simulation engines, including rendering, physics, and audio systems. They write code primarily in languages like C++ and work closely with designers and artists to optimize performance and ensure stability across hardware platforms.

How does an engine programmer typically collaborate with other departments, such as graphics and gameplay teams, during development?

Engine programmers frequently work closely with both graphics and gameplay teams to ensure that the underlying technology supports creative and performance goals. This involves regular meetings to discuss feature requirements, debugging sessions to resolve integration issues, and ongoing feedback loops to optimize engine components for specific project needs. Clear communication and a collaborative mindset are essential, as engine programmers often translate high-level design or visual ideas into efficient, maintainable code. This cross-functional teamwork is key to delivering smooth, visually impressive, and responsive gameplay experiences.

What is the difference between Engine Programmer vs Graphics Programmer?

AspectEngine ProgrammerGraphics Programmer
Primary FocusDeveloping and maintaining game engine systemsCreating and optimizing rendering techniques and visual effects
Required SkillsProgramming, systems architecture, physics, AIGraphics APIs, shader programming, rendering algorithms
Work EnvironmentGame studios, software companiesGame studios, visual effects companies
Common UsageUsed across various game genres for core systemsFocused on visual fidelity and rendering performance

Engine Programmers develop the core systems that power a game, while Graphics Programmers focus on visual rendering and effects. Both roles require strong programming skills and often overlap, but they specialize in different aspects of game development.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an engine programmer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Engine Programmer, you need strong proficiency in C++ programming, computer graphics, algorithms, and mathematics, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Experience with game engines (such as Unreal or Unity), version control systems, and graphics APIs like DirectX or OpenGL is typically required. Problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for tackling complex technical challenges and collaborating with other developers. These skills ensure the development of efficient, high-quality game engines that support innovative gameplay and performance.

What is an engine programmer?

Engine programmers are specialized software developers who design, build, and maintain the core systems that power video games and other interactive applications. They work on the underlying technology, known as the 'game engine,' enabling graphics rendering, physics, audio, and other essential features. Engine programmers often optimize performance, ensure cross-platform compatibility, and collaborate closely with other developers to create smooth and immersive experiences. Their work is crucial for enabling artists and game designers to bring their creative visions to life efficiently.

How much do engine programmers make?

Engine programmers typically earn a median annual salary ranging from $70,000 to $120,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior or specialized engine programmers with advanced skills in C++ and physics engines can earn higher salaries, especially in the gaming and simulation sectors.

Do engine programmers get paid well?

Engine programmers typically earn competitive salaries that reflect their specialized skills in software development, graphics, and real-time systems. Salaries vary based on experience, location, and industry, with many earning above average wages in the tech and gaming sectors.
More about Engine Programmer jobs
What states have the most Engine Programmer jobs? States with the most job openings for Engine Programmer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Engine Programmer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 5% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,234 per year, or $39.5 per hour.

Senior GPU Propagation Engine Engineer

NVIDIA Corporation

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

$184 - $287.50/hr

Other

Posted 2 days ago

New


Nvidia rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

8th of 242 rated software companies


Job description

Senior GPU Propogation Engine Engineer page is loaded## Senior GPU Propogation Engine Engineerlocations: US, CA, Santa Clara: US, CA, Remotetime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Yesterdayjob requisition id: JR2016808We are seeking a self‐motivated senior engineer for the Aerial Omniverse Digital Twin team. This hire will lead the design and implementation of a real‐time, GPU‐accelerated propagation engine that predicts how radio signals travel through realistic 3‐D environments — producing both per‐link channel characterisations and radio maps at the speed required by production RAN stacks! This position offers the opportunity to work on foundational technology for 5G and 6G network simulation, using NVIDIA's world‐class GPU and ray‐tracing platforms.**What you'll be doing:**As a member of NVIDIA's Aerial team, you will architect and implement a GPU ray‐tracing engine that operates at two time scales. At the planning scale, the engine produces volumetric radio maps — coverage, SINR, and best‐server maps at multiple resolutions, composable across cells, frequencies, and beam configurations — that network operators use to design and optimise deployments. At the real‐time scale, the same engine delivers per‐link multipath channel updates at the millisecond cadence that a production RAN stack requires, using adaptive algorithms that exploit temporal coherence to avoid recomputing what hasn't changed. Laying the foundations for real‐time ray tracing on GPU hardware — algorithms, data structures, and multi‐GPU scaling strategies that make sub‐millisecond propagation updates feasible — is the defining technical challenge of this role.**What we need to see:*** PhD in computer graphics, high‐performance computing, computational electromagnetics, or a closely related field (or equivalent experience).* 8+ years of relevant experience.* Hands‐on proficiency with CUDA and at least one GPU ray‐tracing framework (OptiX, Vulkan RT, Embree), with a track record of writing production‐quality GPU code.* Proficiency in GPU‐friendly spatial data structures (BVH, space‐filling curves, hash maps) and the ability to reason about memory hierarchy, occupancy, and compute‐vs‐bandwidth trade‐offs at the kernel level.* Working knowledge of electromagnetic wave propagation phenomena (reflection, transmission, diffraction, scattering) sufficient to implement and validate a propagation engine.* Impactful publications in GPU ray tracing, real‐time rendering, or deterministic propagation modelling.**Ways to stand out from the crowd:*** Experience with real‐time or near‐real‐time ray‐tracing engines shipping in production systems.* Prior work on multi‐GPU partitioning for ray‐tracing or large‐scale simulation workloads.* Familiarity with 3GPP channel models and wireless network planning tools.* Knowledge of geospatial coordinate systems and tiling schemes.Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 184,000 USD - 287,500 USD for Level 4, and 224,000 USD - 356,500 USD for Level 5.You will also be eligible for equity and .Applications for this job will be accepted at least until April 26, 2026.This posting is for an existing vacancy.NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.NVIDIA is committed to fostering a diverse work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law. #J-18808-Ljbffr

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About Nvidia

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It's a unique legacy of innovation that's fueled by great technology--and amazing people. Today, we're tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what's never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world's best talent.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US

Year founded

1993