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Shader Programming Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Software Engineer, Graphics

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$130K - $195K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Shader & API Depth : Strong understanding of shader languages (HLSL/GLSL/Metal) and graphics APIs ... Systems-First Engineer: You prioritize building stable, scalable, maintainable systems over chasing ...

GPU Compiler Developer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$175K - $220K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

You will play a key role in developing the GPU execution environment and transforming shader IR ... Deep understanding of parallel programming languages for GPUs * Deep understanding of compiler ...

GPU Compiler Lead

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$175K - $250K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... shader IR code into highly optimized machine code * Lead the development of the GPU execution environment * Lead an internal team of compiler engineers and coordinate with partners and external ...

Excellent C/C++ programming skills. Experience in hardware performance modeling, analysis, and ... Areas could include core/shader micro-architecture, texture pipeline, caching, or memory subsystem ...

Excellent C/C++ programming skills. Experience in hardware performance modeling, analysis, and ... Areas could include core/shader micro-architecture, texture pipeline, caching, or memory subsystem ...

Showing results 21-40

Shader Programming information

What is shader programming?

Shader programming involves writing specialized code that runs on a computer's graphics processing unit (GPU) to control how images, lighting, and colors are rendered in computer graphics. Shaders are essential for creating realistic visual effects in video games, movies, and virtual reality. Programmers use languages like GLSL, HLSL, or Cg to write vertex, fragment, or compute shaders, which manipulate geometry, textures, and lighting in real time. This field requires strong mathematical and programming skills, especially in linear algebra and computer graphics concepts.

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

To thrive as a Shader Programmer, you need strong proficiency in computer graphics principles, mathematics (especially linear algebra), and experience with shading languages like GLSL or HLSL, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with graphics APIs (such as OpenGL or DirectX), real-time rendering engines, and version control systems is typically required. Creative problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective collaboration with artists and developers are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies are vital to create visually stunning and efficient visual effects that enhance real-time applications and games.

What are some common challenges shader programmers face when optimizing graphics performance?

Shader programmers often encounter challenges related to balancing visual quality with real-time performance. Optimizing shaders requires a strong understanding of hardware limitations, such as processing power and memory bandwidth, as well as efficient use of GPU resources. Debugging and profiling shader code can be complex, especially when dealing with platform-specific differences. Collaboration with artists and other developers is essential to ensure that the visuals meet creative goals without exceeding performance budgets.

What is the difference between Shader Programming vs Graphics Programmer?

AspectShader ProgrammingGraphics Programmer
Required credentialsKnowledge of GLSL/HLSL, graphics APIsKnowledge of graphics APIs, C++, shader languages
Work environmentFocus on writing shaders for rendering pipelinesDeveloping graphics engines, rendering techniques
Industry usageUsed in game development, real-time renderingUsed in game studios, visual effects, simulation
Common search intentUnderstanding shader coding differencesUnderstanding graphics pipeline development

Shader Programming primarily involves writing small programs that run on the GPU to control rendering effects, while Graphics Programming encompasses broader development of rendering engines and graphics systems. Both roles require knowledge of graphics APIs and shader languages, but Shader Programmers focus more on creating visual effects at the shader level, whereas Graphics Programmers develop the overall graphics architecture.

What are popular job titles related to Shader Programming jobs in California?

For Shader Programming jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Shader Programming jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Shader Programming jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Shader Programming jobs?

Cities in California with the most Shader Programming job openings:

Infographic showing various Shader Programming job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% Internship, 69% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 6% Temporary, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 83% In-person, and 17% Remote job distribution.

Senior Graphics Programmer, Mobile (iOS/Android)

PlayStation Global

San Diego, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 9 days ago


Job description

Why Sony Interactive Entertainment?
Sony Interactive Entertainment isn't just the Best Place to Play - it's also the Best Place to Work. Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is the company behind the PlayStation brand. As a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, we're part of a proud legacy of innovation and excellence. SIE is a dynamic technology company, delivering cutting-edge hardware and network services to more than 100 million people and an entertainment leader, home to some of the most beloved and recognizable intellectual properties (IP) in the world. Our role at SIE is to create and nurture the experiences under the PlayStation brand, a name synonymous with entertainment excellence and creativity.
Senior Graphics Programmer, Mobile (iOS/Android)
PlayStation Studios / San Diego Studio
Why PlayStation? Why San Diego Studio?
Come join San Diego Studio in bringing MLB The Show to mobile platforms. Our focus is on delivering innovative, high-quality gaming experiences, and we are seeking a Senior Mobile Graphics Programmer to help advance the visual and technical quality of our mobile title on iOS and Android.
In this role, you will be responsible for developing and optimizing real-time graphics systems specifically for mobile devices, ensuring strong performance, scalability, and visual fidelity across a wide range of hardware configurations and device capabilities.
You will focus on writing and optimizing our mobile rendering engine, debugging graphics and performance issues, implementing new visual features, and ensuring the game takes full advantage of platform-specific capabilities across Apple and Android ecosystems.
The ideal candidate possesses strong problem-solving abilities, sharp attention to detail, and thrives both independently and in collaborative, cross-functional teams. They are passionate about GPU architecture and real-time rendering innovation, skilled in profiling and optimizing complex graphics systems, and experienced in shipping high-quality graphics features on constrained mobile hardware.
Responsibilities:
  • Develop, optimize, and maintain real-time rendering systems and graphics features specifically for mobile platforms (iOS and Android)
  • Identify and resolve performance bottlenecks related to rendering, memory usage, thermal constraints, battery usage, and device-specific hardware limitations
  • Ensure compatibility, stability, and performance across a broad range of mobile devices, from high-end flagship phones/tablets to lower-spec hardware
  • Implement scalable graphics systems that support varying performance tiers, screen resolutions, refresh rates, and GPU capabilities
  • Work with platform-specific graphics APIs and technologies such as Metal and Vulkan
  • Optimize shaders, rendering pipelines, texture usage, and asset memory footprint for mobile GPU architectures
  • Implement requested graphics features and enhancements in collaboration with the broader engineering, art, and rendering teams
  • Debug graphics issues across different chipsets and vendors
  • Stay current with emerging rendering techniques, mobile GPU technologies, and platform advancements to drive visual improvements and technical innovation

Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related technical field
  • 5+ years of experience programming in C++ with a focus on performance-critical applications
  • Strong experience with graphics programming on mobile platforms, including low-level graphics APIs such as Metal or Vulkan
  • Proficiency in GPU shader programming and optimization for mobile platforms
  • Strong foundational math skills, especially linear algebra, geometry, and trigonometry
  • Hands-on experience with graphics profiling and debugging tools for mobile development
  • Proven ability to debug and optimize rendering performance across a wide range of mobile hardware and operating system versions
  • Strong understanding of the constraints and tradeoffs involved in mobile rendering, including memory bandwidth, battery usage, thermal throttling, frame pacing, and device fragmentation

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience shipping one or more mobile games or interactive applications on iOS and/or Android
  • Familiarity with platform-specific development environments and tools such as Xcode, Microsoft Visual Studio, GPU frame debuggers, and mobile performance analyzers
  • Experience optimizing rendering systems for a variety of mobile GPU architectures
  • Understanding of scalable rendering techniques for mobile, including dynamic resolution, LOD systems, texture streaming, and efficient post-processing
  • Familiarity with scripting languages such as Python is a plus
  • Experience working on cross-platform rendering systems is highly desirable
  • Passion for sports games and delivering visually compelling real-time experiences on mobile devices

At SIE, we consider several factors when setting each role's base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location.
Please note that the base pay range may vary in line with our hybrid working policy and individual base pay will be determined based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.
In addition, this role is eligible for SIE's top-tier benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), paid time off, wellness program and coveted employee discounts for Sony products. This role also may be eligible for a bonus package. Click here to learn more.
This is a flexible role that can be remote, with varying pay ranges based on geographic location. For example, if you are based out of Seattle, the estimated base pay range for this role is listed below.
$172,000-$258,100 USD
Please note, Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles) and will need to process personal information to support these checks.
Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice for more information about what personal information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and your data protection rights.
Equal Opportunity Statement:
Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.
We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.
Sony Interactive Entertainment is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.