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Graphics Programmer Jobs in Pasadena, CA (NOW HIRING)

Zoo

CAD Graphics Engine Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

$150K - $186K/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 ...

Zoo

CAD Graphics Engine Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

$145K - $195K/yr

In this role, you'll work as part of a small team of Graphics Engineers to design, prototype and implement features of our engine in order to enable users with faster and more reliable geometry and ...

NxT Level

Senior Tools Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$112K - $154K/yr

They currently need a programmer passionate about terrain and graphical tools. What are the responsibilities? * Develop and maintain tools for terrain and graphics within our game engine. Ensure that ...

NxT Level

Senior Tools Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

$112K - $154K/yr

They currently need a programmer passionate about terrain and graphical tools. What are the responsibilities? * Develop and maintain tools for terrain and graphics within our game engine. Ensure that ...

SummitHR

Graphics Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Working closely with Project Managers, Office Engineers, Field Engineers, Construction Managers ... Graphics Designs, Art, or related field preferred.

SummitHR

Graphics Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Working closely with Project Managers, Office Engineers, Field Engineers, Construction Managers ... Graphics Designs, Art, or related field preferred.

SummitHR

Senior Graphics Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Working closely with Project Managers, Office Engineers, Field Engineers, Construction Managers ... graphic display, descriptive charts, brochures or maps for commercial or public use. • Experience ...

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All JobsGraphics Programmer JobsGraphics Programmer Jobs in Pasadena, CA

Graphics Programmer information

See Pasadena, CA salary details

$120.5K

$147.3K

$170.7K

How much do graphics programmer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for graphics programmer in Pasadena, CA is $147,258.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $136,400.00 and $158,200.00 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
What job categories do people searching Graphics Programmer jobs in Pasadena, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Graphics Programmer jobs in Pasadena, CA are:
What cities near Pasadena, CA are hiring for Graphics Programmer jobs? Cities near Pasadena, CA with the most Graphics Programmer job openings:
Graphics Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graphics Programmer job openings in Pasadena, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $147,258 per year, or $70.8 per hour.

CAD Graphics Engine Software Engineer

Zoo

Los Angeles, CA

$150K - $186K/yr

Other

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

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'll work as part of a small team of Graphics Engineers to design, prototype and implement features of our engine in order to enable users with faster and more reliable geometry and modeling capability of their hardware designs. Our CAD Engine is GPU optimized and creates boundary representations versus meshes, so the ideal candidate will have familiarity with CAD software, specially B-Rep/NURBS modeling. This is a great opportunity to apply your expertise in 3D graphics to help us disrupt the hardware design industry, working alongside a hands-on, collaborative startup team!

What You'll Do
  • Develop and maintain CAD modeling algorithms (editing brep data structures, developing topological algorithms, etc)
  • Develop and maintain rendering code within the graphics core of the CAD engine
  • Implement and continuously improve various low-level and complex architectural systems that interface with Graphics APIs, modeling, rendering, and proceduralization pipelines
  • Analyze code for performance and optimization opportunities as it relates to load times, memory usage and platform-specific performance issues
  • Become an expert on our product strategy and customer use cases in order to provide the best solutions to our growing customer base
  • Document functionality and implementation details for production and other Engineers
What You'll Need
  • B.S. in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
  • Proficiency with C++14/17
  • Substantial experience with 3D graphics, rendering, and modeling algorithms
  • Substantial experience with 3D Graphics APIs such as Vulkan or OpenGL
  • Experience with GPU computing APIs such as CUDA
  • Strong familiarity of the inner workings of CAD 3D editors such as Blender, Maya, Solidworks, AutoCAD, or equivalent.
  • Familiarity with Git
  • Experience working with both low-level and visualization-focused aspects of a graphics pipeline

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