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Hlsl Shaders Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Netflix

Principal Technical Artist, Games R&D - Tech Lab

OR ยท On-site +1

$126K - $151K/yr

... and optimize shaders (HLSL/GLSL/ShaderLab) and engine-side tooling Experience writing or heavily modifying custom render features, post-process effects, or compute shaders Experience working ...

Netflix

Principal Technical Artist, Games R&D - Tech Lab

$130K - $155K/yr

Strong coding/scripting expertise, such as C#, Lua, Python, C++, etc., with the ability to write and optimize shaders (HLSL/GLSL/ShaderLab) and engine-side tooling * Experience writing or heavily ...

Visual Concepts

Graphics Engineer - NBA 2K

... code and shaders. Responsibilities : โ€ข Explore and implement new rendering technologies to ... HLSL or a comparable shading language โ€ข Strong grasp of 3D math concepts and applications โ€ข ...

Stardock Corporation

Senior Game Developer

Plymouth, MI ยท On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Optimization, networking, UI/UX, AI, generative AI, physics, data management, graphics, gameplay, audio, HLSL/GLSL shaders, pipelines, terrain. * Able to learn new technology quickly and execute on a ...

Visual Concepts

Graphics Engineer - NBA 2K

... of high-performance code and shaders to enhance the visual fidelity of their games ... HLSL or a comparable shading language โ€ข Strong grasp of 3D math concepts and applications โ€ข ...

Stardock Corporation

Senior Game Developer

Plymouth, MI

$120K - $160K/yr

Optimization, networking, UI/UX, AI, generative AI, physics, data management, graphics, gameplay, audio, HLSL/GLSL shaders, pipelines, terrain. * Able to learn new technology quickly and execute on a ...

2K

Senior Technical Artist

Frisco, TX

$118K - $142K/yr

Create efficient and user friendly shaders for use in game. * Analyse and communicate the technical ... Working knowledge of HLSL or GLSL. * Working knowledge of Python scripting or another programming ...

Apple

Technical Artist Engineer

Culver City, CA

$139K - $258K/yr

... HLSL, GLSL, shader graphs) Experience with Metal Framework and writing Metal Shaders for visual effects, custom filters, and real-time 3D graphics Proficient in generative and creative coding: Metal ...

2K

Senior Technical Artist

Frisco, TX ยท On-site

$118K - $142K/yr

Create efficient and user friendly shaders for use in game. * Analyse and communicate the technical ... Working knowledge of HLSL or GLSL. * Working knowledge of Python scripting or another programming ...

The Mill

Lead Developer

Manhattan, NY

$64.75 - $84.75/hr

Fluency writing real-time shaders using GLSL/HLSL. * Understanding of the real-time graphics GPU pipeline. * Fluency in C++ and/or C#. * Proficiency with Unreal Engine, Unity or any proprietary game ...

The Mill

Lead Developer

Manhattan, NY ยท On-site

$64.75 - $84.75/hr

Fluency writing real-time shaders using GLSL/HLSL. * Understanding of the real-time graphics GPU pipeline. * Fluency in C++ and/or C#. * Proficiency with Unreal Engine, Unity or any proprietary game ...

Studio Wildcard

Sr. VFX Artist

Bellevue, WA

Deep knowledge of vector math, real time lighting, post FX, shaders, and real time performance ... HLSL or equivalent shader writing language * Houdini Knowledge * Scripting (Python, Vex, Mel, etc ...

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All JobsHlsl Shaders Jobs

Hlsl Shaders information

See salary details

$95.5K

$138.7K

$153.5K

How much do hlsl shaders jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for hlsl shaders in the United States is $138,713.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,000.00 and $152,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Hlsl Shaders vs Shader Developers?

AspectHlsl ShadersShader Developers
CredentialsKnowledge of HLSL, graphics programmingProficiency in shader languages, graphics APIs
Work EnvironmentGraphics programming, game engines, real-time renderingGame development, visual effects, simulation
Industry UsageUsed within game engines like DirectX-based projectsDevelops shaders for games, VR, AR, and visualization

Hlsl Shaders are specialized scripts written in HLSL for graphics rendering, often created by shader developers. Shader developers design and implement shaders across various platforms, including HLSL, GLSL, or Metal. While Hlsl Shaders refer specifically to shaders written in HLSL, shader developers have broader expertise in shader programming languages and applications. Both roles require knowledge of graphics pipelines but differ in scope and focus.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an HLSL Shader Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an HLSL Shader Developer, you need strong programming skills in C++ and HLSL, a solid understanding of graphics pipelines, and typically a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with graphics APIs like DirectX, shader debugging tools, and version control systems is essential. Creativity, problem-solving, and attention to detail are valuable soft skills that help in optimizing visual effects and resolving graphical issues. These skills are crucial for delivering real-time, high-performance graphics and ensuring visually compelling and efficient rendering in games or applications.

What are HLSL shaders?

HLSL shaders are small programs written in the High-Level Shading Language (HLSL), which is used primarily for programming graphics hardware in Microsoft's DirectX API. These shaders control how graphics are rendered on the screen by defining how vertices and pixels are processed. HLSL supports various types of shaders, such as vertex, pixel, and compute shaders, allowing developers to create realistic lighting, shadows, and effects in real-time graphics applications. Mastery of HLSL is essential for game developers and graphics programmers working with DirectX.

What are some common challenges faced by HLSL Shader Developers when optimizing real-time graphics performance?

HLSL Shader Developers often encounter challenges such as balancing visual quality with rendering speed, managing GPU resource constraints, and minimizing bottlenecks in the graphics pipeline. Optimizing shaders requires a deep understanding of both hardware and the game's rendering engine, as even small inefficiencies can impact frame rates. Collaboration with artists and gameplay programmers is common to ensure that the implemented effects align with both creative vision and technical feasibility, making clear communication and iterative refinement essential parts of the role.
Infographic showing various Hlsl Shaders job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $138,713 per year, or $66.7 per hour.

Staff Software Engineer - Video Performance - (Bay area only)

Canva

San Francisco, CA โ€ข On-site

$251K - $329K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Company Description
Job Description
  • Join the team redefining how the world experiences design.

Hello, g'day, mabuhay, kia ora, ไฝ ๅฅฝ, hallo, vรญtejte!
Thanks for stopping by. We know job hunting can be a little time consuming and you're probably keen to find out what's on offer, so we'll get straight to the point.
Where and how you can work
Our flagship office is in Sydney, Australia, but we've made our way from down under, to a hub in San Francisco, which is now home to our US operations. We offer flexibility in how and where you work. We trust our Canvanauts to choose the balance that empowers them and their team to achieve their goals.
What you'd be doing in this role
As Canva scales change continues to be part of our DNA. But we like to think that's all part of the fun. So this will give you the flavour of the type of things you'll be working on when you start, but this will likely evolve.
  • Lead end-to-end performance strategy across the video creation lifecycle - from timeline scrubbing and real-time preview through to export and rendering. You'll identify bottlenecks and drive measurable improvements to the editing experience.
  • Profile and optimize critical paths in our C++ native engine, GLSL/HLSL shaders, and ML-powered effect pipelines to reduce latency and memory footprint.
  • Design and build observability systems including internal profiling tools and automated regression suites that capture key performance metrics (FPS, jank, memory usage, thermal behavior) across Web, iOS, and Android.
  • Define and own performance metrics that directly reflect user-perceived fluidity and creative flow - ensuring performance remains a first-class product feature.
  • Collaborate across teams with Video Engine and AI engineers to evolve system architecture for improved parallelism, cache locality, and asynchronous processing.
  • Leverage hardware acceleration using platform-specific APIs (Metal, Vulkan, WebGPU) to unlock maximum performance across diverse consumer hardware.

You're probably a match if
  • You treat performance as a product feature. You've optimized complex, multi-threaded systems and can reason clearly about trade-offs between latency, memory, and maintainability.
  • You think in systems. You understand how frontend, backend, and native engines interact to create seamless user experiences at scale.
  • Strong proficiency in C++
  • Experience with modern systems languages (e.g., Rust) is a plus
  • Strong understanding of CPU/GPU architectures, memory hierarchies, and SIMD
  • Experience working with graphics APIs such as OpenGL, Metal, or Vulkan
  • You're fluent in profiling and diagnostics. You've used tools such as Perf, Instruments, Chrome DevTools, Systrace, or custom telemetry systems to uncover bottlenecks and guide engineering decisions.
  • You understand multimedia fundamentals. You have experience with video codecs (H.264/5, VP9, AV1), container formats, and frame-accurate seeking and composition.
  • You use data to validate impact. You analyze telemetry at scale to identify regressions and measure improvements.
  • You elevate those around you. You influence peers and partner teams to prioritize performance and long-term quality.

About the team
The Video Group at Canva is redefining how millions of people tell stories. We're a global, interdisciplinary team of rendering engineers, AI researchers, and product builders working toward ambitious goals. In San Francisco, you'll join a high-impact team building the performant foundation that enables our creative ambitions.
We value technical excellence, thoughtful collaboration, and building systems that empower creativity for everyone.
What's in it for you?
Achieving our crazy big goals motivates us to work hard - and we do - but you'll experience lots of moments of magic, connectivity and fun woven throughout life at Canva, too. We also offer a range of benefits to set you up for every success in and outside of work.
Here's a taste of what's on offer:
  • Equity packages - we want our success to be yours too
  • Health benefits plans to support you and your wellbeing
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution
  • Inclusive parental leave policy that supports all parents & carers
  • An annual Vibe & Thrive allowance to support your wellbeing, social connection, office setup & more
  • Flexible leave options that empower you to be a force for good, take time to recharge and supports you personally

Check out lifeatcanva.com for more info.
At Canva we value fairness, and we strive to provide competitive, market-informed compensation whilst ensuring internal equity within the team in each region. We make hiring decisions based on your skills, experience and our overall assessment of what we observed and learnt in the hiring process. The target salary range for this position is $251,000 to $329,000. When calculating offers, we make salary decisions based on market data and candidates' skills and experience.
Other stuff to know
We make hiring decisions based on your experience, skills, merit and business needs, in compliance with applicable local laws.
We celebrate all types of skills and backgrounds at Canva so even if you don't feel like your skills quite match what's listed above - we still want to hear from you!
When you apply, please tell us the pronouns you use and any reasonable adjustments you may need during the interview process. Please note that interviews are conducted virtually.
Check out lifeatcanva.com for more info.

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