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Graphics Programmer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

DePaul

Adjunct Faculty in Graphic Design

Chicago, IL · On-site

Our curriculum integrates a wide range of media and technologies from publication design to web, branding and interaction design; illustration to motion graphics; typography to programming.

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All JobsGraphics Programmer JobsGraphics Programmer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Graphics Programmer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$113.9K

$139.2K

$161.3K

How much do graphics programmer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for graphics programmer in Chicago, IL is $139,179.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $128,900.00 and $149,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 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 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.

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.
More about Graphics Programmer jobs
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Graphics Programmer jobs near you
Front End Web Developer

Front End Web Developer

Cimcor, Inc.

Merrillville, IN

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

Cimcor is an industry leader in developing innovative security, integrity and compliance software solutions. The firm is on the front lines of global corporate, government and military initiatives to protect critical IT infrastructure and has consistently brought IT integrity innovations to market. Cimcor's flagship software product, CimTrak, helps organizations monitor and protect a wide range of physical, network and virtual IT assets in real-time.  The CimTrak Integrity Suite protects your critical files, registry, configuration settings, users, policies, network devices and more from changes, whether malicious or accidental, that can take down your IT infrastructure, threaten critical/sensitive data, or cause non-compliance with regulations such as PCI, HIPAA, CMMC and many more. CimTrak eliminates the overwhelming change noise to pinpoint unwanted, unauthorized and unexpected activity in real-time to create and establish a trusted and resilient infrastructure. CimTrak enables change reconciliation by providing a side-by-side comparison highlighting real-time changes or change over time. If those changes are unwanted, CimTrak can roll-back and restore files and directories back to their approved state manually or automatically. Furthermore, CimTrak has the functionality that can prevent changes entirely for those files and directories that should never change.


We're looking for a Web Stack developer who will take a key role on our team. Our Web Stack developer must have knowledge in all stages of software development. You'll be working alongside other engineers and developers, collaborating on the various layers of the infrastructure for our software product.

Responsibilities

  • Design overall architecture of the web application.
  • Maintain quality and ensure responsiveness of applications.
  • Collaborate with the rest of the engineering team to design and launch new features.
  • Maintain code integrity and organization.
  • Develop new screens, reports, dashboards, and other UI-related functionality.
  • Experience working with graphic designers and converting designs to visual elements.
  • Understanding and implementation of security and data protection, and secure coding techniques.
  • Optimize applications for maximum speed
  • Get feedback from, and build solutions for, users and customers
  • Write functional requirement documents and guides
  • Create quality mockups and prototypes
  • Help back-end developers with coding and troubleshooting
  • Ensure high-quality graphic standards and brand consistency
  • Stay up-to-date on emerging technologies

Skills

  • Proven work experience as a Front-end developer
  • Highly experienced in software development using HTML5, Javascript, CSS, Bootstrap
  • In-depth understanding of the entire web development process (design, development and deployment)
  • Understanding of layout aesthetics
  • Proficient experience using Javascript, JavaScript libraries, and frameworks such as AngularJS 1.8 and/or Angular 13.
  • Additional knowledge of React and Next.js is a plus
  • Highly Proficient in SQL and the development and optimization of advanced queries.
  • Development experience for both mobile and desktop. Experience with the use of REST APIs.
  • Knowledge of code versioning tools such GIT.
  • An ability to perform well in a fast-paced environment
  • Excellent analytical and multitasking skills
  • BS/MS degree in Computer Science, Software Development, Engineering or a related subject


This is an on-site web stack development position.  You will be working in the office at Cimcor HQ in Merrillville, IN



Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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