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Graphics Programmer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Parallelz

Principal Graphics Engineer

San Francisco, CA

$164.90K - $203.80K/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 ...

Parallelz

Principal Graphics Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$164.90K - $203.80K/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 ...

Parallelz

Principal Graphics Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

$164.40K - $203.20K/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 ...

Nvidia

Neural Graphics Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

$164.40K - $203.20K/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 ...

Nvidia Corporation

Neural Graphics Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$164.40K - $203.20K/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 ...

NVIDIA Corporation

Neural Graphics Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

$163.10K - $201.60K/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 ...

Zoo

CAD Graphics Engine Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

$150.90K - $186.40K/yr

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 ...

Tencent

Senior Graphics Engineer

Irvine, CA

$116.20K - $269.10K/yr

What the Role Entails LightSpeed LA is seeking for a talented and enthusiastic Senior Graphics Engineer to join our new studio in sunny Irvine California. The ideal candidate will have a strong ...

LightSpeed Studios

Senior Graphics Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$116.20K - $269.10K/yr

What the Role Entails LightSpeed LA is seeking for a talented and enthusiastic Senior Graphics Engineer to join our new studio in sunny Irvine California. The ideal candidate will have a strong ...

Nvidia

Manager, Graphics Tools Engineering

Santa Clara, CA

$164.40K - $203.20K/yr

Are you passionate about 3D graphics, GPUs, and low-level, close to the hardware programming? Have you ever dreamed of helping bring video games to life? Do you want to work with a fast, agile, and ...

Visual Concepts

Graphics Engineer - NBA 2K

Novato, CA · On-site +1

$120K - $174.30K/yr

Our talented NBA 2K team is looking for a Graphics Engineer with a passion for cutting-edge rendering technology. In this role, you'll work on the design, development, and maintenance of high ...

2K

Graphics Engineer - NBA 2K

Novato, CA · On-site

$120K - $174.30K/yr

Our talented NBA 2K team is looking for a Graphics Engineer with a passion for cutting-edge rendering technology. In this role, you'll work on the design, development, and maintenance of high ...

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Graphics Programmer information

See California salary details

$109.1K

$133.2K

$154.5K

How much do graphics programmer jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for graphics 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.

What Does a Graphics Programmer Do?

A graphics programmer creates software and applications for developing images and animation on a computer. Your duties can focus on programs for computer-aided design and rendering, animation, image manipulation, photo editing, or video game design. You use linear math and algorithms as well as computer programming languages. Your responsibilities involve writing code in languages like C++, Java, and High-Level Shading Language (HLSL). After coding, you test your programs to ensure that each article and image is accurate. If you work on video games, you coordinate with other developers and programmers on a video game design platform like Unreal Engine.

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

To thrive as a Graphics Programmer, you need a solid background in computer science, mathematics, and computer graphics, often supported by a degree in a related field. Expertise in programming languages like C++ and familiarity with graphics APIs such as DirectX, OpenGL, or Vulkan, as well as shader programming, are typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, creativity, and effective teamwork help you design and optimize complex visual systems. These skills and qualities are crucial for developing high-performance, visually appealing graphics that meet the demands of modern applications and games.

How do Graphics Programmers typically collaborate with artists and designers during a game development project?

Graphics Programmers work closely with artists and designers to ensure that visual assets are rendered efficiently and accurately within the game engine. They often participate in regular meetings to discuss technical constraints, optimize asset pipelines, and implement new graphical features based on creative requirements. This collaboration requires strong communication skills, as Graphics Programmers must translate artistic visions into technical solutions, troubleshoot rendering issues, and provide feedback to artists to achieve the desired visual quality while maintaining performance. Effective teamwork between these roles is essential to deliver high-quality visuals that run smoothly on target platforms.

What are graphics programmers?

Graphics programmers are specialized software developers who focus on creating and optimizing visual elements in video games, simulations, and other computer graphics applications. They write code to render 2D and 3D graphics, work with engines like Unity or Unreal, and utilize APIs like DirectX or OpenGL. Their responsibilities often include developing shaders, improving rendering performance, and collaborating with artists and designers to achieve visually compelling results. Graphics programmers need strong mathematical skills, especially in linear algebra and geometry, to solve complex visual problems. They play a crucial role in ensuring that digital graphics run smoothly and look realistic.

What is the difference between Graphics Programmer vs Shader Developer?

AspectGraphics ProgrammerShader Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science, Computer Graphics, or related field; knowledge of graphics APIsSimilar educational background; strong understanding of shading languages
Work EnvironmentDevelops and optimizes rendering engines, works on graphics pipelinesCreates and fine-tunes shaders for visual effects and rendering
Industry UsageUsed across game development, simulation, and visualization industriesPrimarily in game development and real-time rendering projects
Common Search/ComparisonOften compared due to overlapping skills in graphics programmingSpecialized focus on shader code and effects

While both roles require knowledge of graphics APIs and programming skills, Graphics Programmers develop the overall rendering systems and pipelines, whereas Shader Developers focus specifically on writing and optimizing shaders for visual effects. The roles often overlap but differ in scope and specialization within the graphics development process.

More about Graphics Programmer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Graphics Programmer jobs in California? The most popular types of Graphics Programmer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Graphics Programmer jobs in California? For Graphics Programmer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Graphics Programmer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Graphics Programmer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Graphics Programmer jobs? Cities in California with the most Graphics Programmer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Graphics Programmer jobs in CA? For Graphics Programmer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Graphics Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graphics Programmer job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 89% In-person, and 11% Remote 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 Mateo, CA

Other

Posted 23 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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