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Graphic Programmer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Neural Graphics Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$164K - $203K/yr

They are seeking a Neural Graphics Engineer to implement and optimize neural graphics techniques, prototype new approaches, and contribute to their graphics software stack. Responsibilities : • ...

Principal Graphics Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

$164K - $203K/yr

About the Role We are seeking a passionate and resilient Principal Graphics Engineer to own a foundational piece of our infrastructure: the rendering and runtime layer that lets unmodified mobile ...

About the Role We are seeking a passionate and resilient Principal Graphics Engineer to own a foundational piece of our infrastructure: the rendering and runtime layer that lets unmodified mobile ...

Principal Graphics Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$164K - $203K/yr

About the Role We are seeking a passionate and resilient Principal Graphics Engineer to own a foundational piece of our infrastructure: the rendering and runtime layer that lets unmodified mobile ...

Neural Graphics Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$163K - $201K/yr

At NVIDIA, our Neural Graphics team builds technologies at the intersection of AI and real-time rendering. We reach millions of developers and creators through products like Alpasim, open platforms ...

Neural Graphics Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$164K - $203K/yr

At NVIDIA, our Neural Graphics team builds technologies at the intersection of AI and real-time rendering. We reach millions of developers and creators through products like Alpasim, open platforms ...

Neural Graphics Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$164K - $203K/yr

At NVIDIA, our Neural Graphics team builds technologies at the intersection of AI and real-time rendering. We reach millions of developers and creators through products like Alpasim, open platforms ...

Proposal Graphic Artist

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$135K - $161K/yr

Proposal Graphic Artist Company: The Boeing Company Boeing Defense Space & Security (BDS) Business ... engineering and programmatic content * Designs templates that can be easily adapted for various ...

Proposal Graphic Artist

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$135K - $161K/yr

Proposal Graphic Artist Company: The Boeing Company Boeing Defense Space & Security (BDS) Business ... engineering and programmatic content * Designs templates that can be easily adapted for various ...

About The Role We're looking for a Graphics Engine Software Engineer to join our growing team to help us build out the core functionality of our next-generation CAD Graphics Engine! In this role, you ...

Graphic Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$35 - $36/hr

This role focuses on delivering high-quality visual assets across print and digital channels while collaborating with UX, product, and engineering teams. Responsibilities * Design layouts, graphics ...

Sr/Staff Graphics Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$150K - $275K/yr

We are looking for a Senior/Staff Graphics Software Engineer to join the Platform Software team and own the graphics stack powering our robot's displays. You will build the rendering engine and UI ...

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Graphic Programmer information

See California salary details

$109.1K

$133.2K

$154.5K

How much do graphic programmer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for graphic programmer in California is $133,232.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $123,400.00 and $143,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Graphic Programmer typically collaborate with artists and designers during a game's development cycle?

Graphic Programmers work closely with artists and designers to ensure that visual concepts are both achievable and optimized for performance. They often translate creative ideas into technical solutions, developing shaders, rendering techniques, and visual effects that align with the team's artistic vision. Regular meetings and iterative feedback sessions help bridge the gap between technical feasibility and creative intent, making strong communication skills essential for success in this role.

What is the difference between Graphic Programmer vs Shader Developer?

AspectGraphic ProgrammerShader Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science, Graphics, or related field; knowledge of graphics APIsSimilar educational background; specialized knowledge of shader languages
Work EnvironmentGame studios, visual effects companies, simulation firmsGame studios, graphics software companies, real-time rendering projects
Employer & Industry UsageUsed broadly across industries involving graphics programmingPrimarily in graphics and game development sectors
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in graphics developmentFocusing on shader-specific tasks within graphics programming

Both Graphic Programmers and Shader Developers work in graphics-intensive environments, often requiring similar educational backgrounds and skills. While Graphic Programmers handle overall graphics systems and engine integration, Shader Developers focus specifically on creating and optimizing shaders for rendering effects. The roles are closely related, with Shader Developers often being a specialized subset within the broader scope of Graphic Programming.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Graphic Programmer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Graphic Programmer, you need a strong background in computer science, mathematics, and graphics programming, often supported by a relevant degree or equivalent experience. Proficiency with programming languages like C++, graphics APIs such as DirectX or OpenGL, and familiarity with shader languages and game engines is typically required. Creativity, problem-solving, and effective collaboration with artists and developers are essential soft skills that set top performers apart. These skills and qualities are crucial for creating visually compelling, high-performance graphics that enhance user experiences in interactive applications.

What are graphic programmers?

Graphic programmers are specialized software developers who focus on creating and optimizing visual elements in computer programs, particularly in video games, simulations, and multimedia applications. They work on rendering engines, shaders, lighting, and other graphical effects to achieve high-quality visuals and efficient performance. Their expertise lies in graphics APIs, mathematics, and hardware acceleration to ensure smooth and realistic graphics. Graphic programmers often collaborate closely with artists and designers to bring visual concepts to life. This role requires strong programming skills, usually in languages like C++ and knowledge of graphics libraries such as DirectX or OpenGL.
What are popular job titles related to Graphic Programmer jobs in California? For Graphic Programmer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Graphic Programmer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Graphic Programmer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Graphic Programmer jobs? Cities in California with the most Graphic Programmer job openings:
Infographic showing various Graphic Programmer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $133,232 per year, or $64.1 per hour.
Senior Graphics Programmer, Mobile (iOS/Android)

Senior Graphics Programmer, Mobile (iOS/Android)

PlayStation Global

San Diego, CA

Other

Posted 19 days ago


Job description

Senior Graphics Programmer, Mobile (iOS/Android)

PlayStation Studios / San Diego Studio

Why PlayStation? Why San Diego Studio?

Come join San Diego Studio in bringing MLB The Show to mobile platforms. Our focus is on delivering innovative, high-quality gaming experiences, and we are seeking a Senior Mobile Graphics Programmer to help advance the visual and technical quality of our mobile title on iOS and Android.

In this role, you will be responsible for developing and optimizing real-time graphics systems specifically for mobile devices, ensuring strong performance, scalability, and visual fidelity across a wide range of hardware configurations and device capabilities.

You will focus on writing and optimizing our mobile rendering engine, debugging graphics and performance issues, implementing new visual features, and ensuring the game takes full advantage of platform-specific capabilities across Apple and Android ecosystems.

The ideal candidate possesses strong problem-solving abilities, sharp attention to detail, and thrives both independently and in collaborative, cross-functional teams. They are passionate about GPU architecture and real-time rendering innovation, skilled in profiling and optimizing complex graphics systems, and experienced in shipping high-quality graphics features on constrained mobile hardware.

Responsibilities:
  • Develop, optimize, and maintain real-time rendering systems and graphics features specifically for mobile platforms (iOS and Android)

  • Identify and resolve performance bottlenecks related to rendering, memory usage, thermal constraints, battery usage, and device-specific hardware limitations

  • Ensure compatibility, stability, and performance across a broad range of mobile devices, from high-end flagship phones/tablets to lower-spec hardware

  • Implement scalable graphics systems that support varying performance tiers, screen resolutions, refresh rates, and GPU capabilities

  • Work with platform-specific graphics APIs and technologies such as Metal and Vulkan

  • Optimize shaders, rendering pipelines, texture usage, and asset memory footprint for mobile GPU architectures

  • Implement requested graphics features and enhancements in collaboration with the broader engineering, art, and rendering teams

  • Debug graphics issues across different chipsets and vendors

  • Stay current with emerging rendering techniques, mobile GPU technologies, and platform advancements to drive visual improvements and technical innovation

Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related technical field

  • 5+ years of experience programming in C++ with a focus on performance-critical applications

  • Strong experience with graphics programming on mobile platforms, including low-level graphics APIs such as Metal or Vulkan

  • Proficiency in GPU shader programming and optimization for mobile platforms

  • Strong foundational math skills, especially linear algebra, geometry, and trigonometry

  • Hands-on experience with graphics profiling and debugging tools for mobile development

  • Proven ability to debug and optimize rendering performance across a wide range of mobile hardware and operating system versions

  • Strong understanding of the constraints and tradeoffs involved in mobile rendering, including memory bandwidth, battery usage, thermal throttling, frame pacing, and device fragmentation

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience shipping one or more mobile games or interactive applications on iOS and/or Android

  • Familiarity with platform-specific development environments and tools such as Xcode, Microsoft Visual Studio, GPU frame debuggers, and mobile performance analyzers

  • Experience optimizing rendering systems for a variety of mobile GPU architectures

  • Understanding of scalable rendering techniques for mobile, including dynamic resolution, LOD systems, texture streaming, and efficient post-processing

  • Familiarity with scripting languages such as Python is a plus

  • Experience working on cross-platform rendering systems is highly desirable

  • Passion for sports games and delivering visually compelling real-time experiences on mobile devices

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