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Graphics Programmer Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Studio Wildcard

Senior Graphics Programmer

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$200K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Graphics Programmer with an obsessive focus on performance and visual fidelity to push Unreal Engine 5 to its absolute limits. Reporting directly to the Chief Technical ...

Nvidia

Principal Graphics Developer Tools Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$159K - $196K/yr

The Graphics Developer Tools team is seeking an exceptional technical leader to help shape the future of graphics development. This role spans multiple areas of NVIDIA's graphics software ecosystem ...

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All JobsGraphics Programmer JobsGraphics Programmer Jobs in Seattle, WA

Graphics Programmer information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$125.8K

$153.6K

$178.1K

How much do graphics programmer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for graphics programmer in Seattle, WA is $153,631.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $142,200.00 and $165,000.00 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 are the most commonly searched types of Graphics Programmer jobs in Seattle, WA? The most popular types of Graphics Programmer jobs in Seattle, WA are:
What are popular job titles related to Graphics Programmer jobs in Seattle, WA? For Graphics Programmer jobs in Seattle, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Graphics Programmer jobs in Seattle, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Graphics Programmer jobs in Seattle, WA are:
What cities near Seattle, WA are hiring for Graphics Programmer jobs? Cities near Seattle, WA with the most Graphics Programmer job openings:
Graphics Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graphics Programmer job openings in Seattle, WA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $153,631 per year, or $73.9 per hour.
Senior Graphics Programmer

Senior Graphics Programmer

Studio Wildcard

Bellevue, WA • On-site

$200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

Studio Wildcard, creators of the smash indie hit ARK: Survival Evolved, was founded in 2014. ARK has become one of the most successful cross-platform indie titles ever and continues to break industry records. We are looking for a Senior Graphics Programmer with an obsessive focus on performance and visual fidelity to push Unreal Engine 5 to its absolute limits.
Reporting directly to the Chief Technical Officer, you will be responsible for wrestling with core rendering systems, GPU performance, and cutting-edge visual tech. This role sits at the bleeding edge of game development, wrestling with core rendering systems, massive hardware budgets, and cutting-edge tech to ensure our wildest, most ambitious environments look stunning while maintaining a respectable frame rate.
Responsibilities can include:
  • Dive into the Unreal Engine C++ source code to implement complex refactors and engine upgrades that support massive open-world gameplay.
  • Profile GPU performance and resolve severe rendering bottlenecks related to draw calls, level of detail (LOD) transitions, and overdraw
  • Dive deep into the specific hardware profiles of modern consoles (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S), pushing the limits of their architecture while strictly adhering to their unique VRAM constraints, memory bandwidths, and certification standards
  • Enhance and optimize Unreal Engine 5's rendering ecosystem, working intimately with features like Lumen, Nanite, and hardware ray tracing.
  • Collaborate directly with the Technical Art and VFX teams to build and optimize custom rendering systems for dynamic in-world elements. You will provide deep technical support for materials and shader pipelines to bring complex environmental reactions to life, such as dense interactive foliage and physical weather systems.
  • Partner with the Creature Art and Tech Animation teams to pioneer new rendering techniques, including advanced fur, skin shaders, and deformation. You will support their creative vision while aggressively optimizing draw calls and rendering costs for scenes densely packed with massive numbers of creatures.
  • Define scalability scenarios across different GPU tiers to manage VRAM budgets and hit strict performance targets.
  • Integrate, tweak, and optimize modern upscaling and frame generation technologies (such as DLSS, FSR, PSSR, and TSR).
  • Co-define engine-level technical artist tooling and create documentation or best practices to raise the rendering capability floor for artists across the studio.
  • Vigorously investigate, debug, and solve complex low-level graphics crashes and rendering anomalies across PC and modern console platforms.
  • Perform periodic memory tracking, deep performance analysis, load time analysis, and critical race condition/deadlock fixes.
  • Develop internal tools and extend engine features to improve iteration times and support the development pipelines for massive survival ecosystems.
  • Manage and optimize large-scale asset pipelines, packaging, and streaming architectures to handle the massive data footprint of a dense open-world survival game.

Requirements:
  • 5+ years of professional C/C++ experience focusing entirely on real-time rendering and low-level GPU systems.
  • Deep expertise in shaping rendering architecture using modern graphics APIs, specifically DirectX 12 (DX12).
  • Hands-on experience profiling, debugging, and identifying frame time optimizations using tools like PIX.
  • Strong proficiency in authoring HLSL shaders, compute shaders, and PBR materials.
  • Deep, hands-on experience modifying and extending the Unreal Engine 4/5 source code.
  • Deep experience working with version control platforms, specifically Perforce.
  • Ability to work core hours of 10:00 AM PST to 4:00 PM PST.
  • Willingness to be on-call for live issue firefighting and to crunch around critical shipping periods to support major content launches.

Pluses:
  • Shipped titles credited as a Senior Graphics Programmer, Senior Rendering Engineer, Principal Graphics Engineer or similar technical role
  • Familiarity with the ARK franchise (Survival Evolved / Survival Ascended).

Required Application Materials:
  • Resume
  • Cover Letter including:
    • Why you are interested in this role
    • Why are you interested in working for Studio Wildcard
    • What other games are you currently playing

About The Studio
Studio Wildcard was founded in 2014 by industry veterans Jeremy Stieglitz and Jesse Rapczak, with the mission of bringing AAA quality to ambitious indie productions designed for core gamers. With countless years of combined industry experience across multiple independent and studio-backed titles, Wildcard's core team continues to grow, with offices in Redmond, WA and Gainesville, FL including distributed team members across multiple continents.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Wildcard is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws, regulations or ordinances. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to disability during the application or the recruiting process, please let us know.
Pay Transparency Information
The expected annual base pay range(s) for this position vary based on a variety of factors, which include: (but aren't limited to) skills, competencies, qualifications, knowledge, and experience. Each pay range is only relevant to those residing in WA state and can vary based on geographical location.
Wildcard Benefits
We pay 100% of all premiums for the employee and discounted rates for dependent premiums. Our coverage includes Medical (3 different plans to choose from), Dental, Vision, Short Term and Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, 401(k) option, 100% covered Parental Leave, PTO, Paid Holidays, Unlimited Sick Time, and FSA/ HSA options

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