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Shader Jobs (NOW HIRING)

PPG

Quality Control Color Shader

Cleveland, OH

$57K - $65K/yr

As a Quality Control Color Shader , you will provide a high level of accuracy in color shading for automotive paints. This is an onsite job in Cleveland, OH working on 3rd shift. Main ...

Unitytech

Senior Graphics Engineer

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$158K - $195K/yr

As a Senior Graphics Engineer on the Shader Systems team, you will be an integral part of collaborating with other graphics teams within Unity to improve workflows for artists and shader authors.

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How much do shader jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for shader in the United States is $27.90, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.67 and $33.17 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What can I do with shaders?

A shader job involves creating programs that run on graphics hardware to control visual effects, rendering, and image processing in video games, simulations, or visualizations. Shader developers work with graphics APIs like OpenGL or DirectX and often use languages such as GLSL or HLSL to design realistic lighting, textures, and special effects. This role requires knowledge of computer graphics, mathematics, and programming skills to optimize visual performance and quality.

What are some common challenges shaders face on the job, and how can they overcome them?

Shaders often encounter challenges like working in varying environmental conditions, managing complex finishes, and ensuring consistency across large or intricate surfaces. Adapting to different materials and coatings, following strict safety guidelines, and troubleshooting application issues are all part of daily responsibilities. Overcoming these challenges requires staying updated on best practices, having strong attention to detail, and maintaining open communication with supervisors and other trades. Support from experienced team members and ongoing training can further help Shaders excel and ensure high-quality results.

What is a shader?

A Shader job involves writing and optimizing shader programs that dictate how surfaces and materials appear in video games, films, and simulations. Shader artists and engineers use programming languages like HLSL, GLSL, or Cg to create effects such as lighting, shadows, reflections, and textures. They work closely with designers and technical artists to achieve visually stunning real-time or pre-rendered graphics. This role requires a blend of artistic sensibility and technical proficiency in graphics programming.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a shader?

To thrive as a Shader, you need a solid understanding of materials, color theory, and surface preparation techniques, often gained through vocational training or industry experience. Familiarity with specialized tools such as spray guns, brushes, and automated shading equipment is essential, and certification from industry bodies like NACE or SSPC can be beneficial. Attention to detail, reliability, and effective communication with supervisors and team members are key soft skills for success in this role. These competencies ensure high-quality finishes, safety compliance, and seamless collaboration within manufacturing, construction, or fabrication environments.

More about Shader jobs
What cities are hiring for Shader jobs? Cities with the most Shader job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Shader jobs? The most popular types of Shader jobs are:
What states have the most Shader jobs? States with the most job openings for Shader jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Shader jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Shader jobs are:
Shader jobs near you
Infographic showing various Shader job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 55% Full Time, 27% Part Time, and 18% Contract. Highlights an 82% In-person, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,038 per year, or $27.9 per hour.

Keynote Shader And Effects Engineer

TEKsystems

Cupertino, CA

$143.28/hr

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

Keynote Shader & Effects Engineer

Client: Apple

Duration: 12-Month Contract

Start Date: October 2026

Position Overview

Apple's Keynote team is seeking a highly skilled Shader & Effects Engineer to help design, develop, and optimize the advanced visual effects and animations that power Keynote's custom rendering engine. This role is ideal for an engineer who thrives at the intersection of graphics programming, visual design, and creative technology.

The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in real-time rendering and shader development while demonstrating the artistic sensibility needed to transform creative concepts into visually compelling experiences. This individual will play a key role in creating the high-impact effects, transitions, and animations seen by millions of users across Apple's ecosystem.

Responsibilities
  • Design, prototype, and implement advanced shader-driven visual effects and animations.
  • Develop and maintain high-performance graphics solutions optimized for Apple Silicon devices.
  • Create visually compelling real-time effects while maintaining strict rendering and performance requirements.
  • Collaborate closely with designers and engineers to translate creative vision into polished user experiences.
  • Apply modern graphics techniques to solve complex visual and technical challenges.
  • Optimize GPU performance to achieve smooth, high-fidelity rendering across a variety of hardware platforms.
  • Research and implement state-of-the-art rendering technologies and industry best practices.
  • Own graphics features and effect systems throughout the full development lifecycle, from concept through production.
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent practical experience.
  • Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in graphics, rendering, or shader development.
  • Proven experience developing and optimizing real-time graphics applications.
  • Strong understanding of rendering pipelines, rasterization, compute shaders, render passes, resource binding, and GPU/CPU synchronization.
  • Experience writing production-quality shader code using Metal, GLSL, HLSL, Vulkan, or similar technologies.
  • Demonstrated ability to optimize graphics workloads for performance-sensitive applications.
  • Experience shipping graphics features, visual effects, or rendering systems in production environments.
  • Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively across technical and creative teams.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Deep expertise with Metal Shading Language (MSL) and the Apple graphics ecosystem.
  • Experience working with Core Animation, Core Graphics, or related Apple technologies.
  • Familiarity with modern graphics research, including SIGGRAPH and GDC content.
  • Experience with Motion, Adobe After Effects, or other visual effects and animation tools.
  • Exposure to machine learning, computer vision, or image-processing applications within graphics workflows.
  • generative art, creative coding, procedural graphics, or interactive media.
  • Artistic, design, or motion graphics experience.
Ideal Candidate Profile

This is not a traditional software engineering role. The ideal candidate combines advanced graphics engineering expertise with a strong appreciation for visual design and aesthetics. They understand how to create art through code and have a track record of developing sophisticated visual effects rather than simply implementing graphics features.

Successful candidates often come from backgrounds such as:

  • Graphics Engineering
  • Rendering Engineering
  • GPU Engineering
  • Technical Art
  • Creative Technology
  • Real-Time Visualization
  • Visual Effects Engineering
  • Interactive Media Development
  • AR/VR Graphics

Candidates with experience in creative coding communities, generative art projects, or graphics-focused technical communities are especially encouraged to apply.

Portfolio Submission Required

A portfolio is a critical component of the evaluation process. Candidates should provide examples demonstrating advanced graphics and shader development capabilities, including one or more of the following:

  • ShaderToy projects
  • GitHub repositories
  • Personal portfolio websites
  • Graphics demonstrations
  • Visual effects breakdowns
  • Shipped products featuring custom rendering or shader work
  • Interactive graphics projects
  • Generative art or creative coding examples
Interview Process
  1. Initial phone interview focused on technical experience and portfolio review.
  2. Three 45-minute technical interviews with team members.
  3. Final interview round may be scheduled based on team feedback.
Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Cupertino, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $143.28 - $143.28/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Cupertino,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 14, 2026.

About TEKsystems

We're partners in transformation. We help clients activate ideas and solutions to take advantage of a new world of opportunity. We are a team of 80,000 strong, working with over 6,000 clients, including 80% of the Fortune 500, across North America, Europe and Asia. As an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services, and real-world application, we work with progressive leaders to drive change. That's the power of true partnership. TEKsystems is an Allegis Group company.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

About TEKsystems and TEKsystems Global Services

We’re a leading provider of business and technology services. We accelerate business transformation for our customers. Our expertise in strategy, design, execution and operations unlocks business value through a range of solutions. We’re a team of 80,000 strong, working with over 6,000 customers, including 80% of the Fortune 500 across North America, Europe and Asia, who partner with us for our scale, full-stack capabilities and speed. We’re strategic thinkers, hands-on collaborators, helping customers capitalize on change and master the momentum of technology. We’re building tomorrow by delivering business outcomes and making positive impacts in our global communities. TEKsystems and TEKsystems Global Services are Allegis Group companies. Learn more at TEKsystems.com.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

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