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Shader Programming Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Navier AI

Full Stack Engineer

San Francisco, CA

Knowledge of WebGL or shader programming (GLSL, WGSL) * Experience integrating ML model inference into production apps * Familiarity with containerization (Docker) and cloud deployment (AWS, GCP, or ...

Parallelz

Principal Graphics Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$164K - $203K/yr

OpenGL ES, WebGL, WebGPU, Vulkan, Metal, or DirectX, including shader programming, GPU memory and pipeline optimization, and frame/latency budgeting. * Track record of owning complex, multi-component ...

Parallelz

Principal Graphics Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$164K - $203K/yr

OpenGL ES, WebGL, WebGPU, Vulkan, Metal, or DirectX, including shader programming, GPU memory and pipeline optimization, and frame/latency budgeting. * Track record of owning complex, multi-component ...

Bellota Labs

Senior Technical Artist

Redwood City, CA · On-site +1

$200K - $250K/yr

Bridge Art and Engineering: Collaborate with game designers, artists, and engineers to translate ... Shader and VFX Work: Create and optimize shaders, particle systems, and post-processing effects to ...

Bellota Labs

Senior Technical Artist

Redwood City, CA

$170K - $225K/yr

Bridge Art and Engineering: Collaborate with game designers, artists, and engineers to translate ... Shader and VFX Work: Create and optimize shaders, particle systems, and post-processing effects to ...

Nvidia

Director, Neural Graphics Chips

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

Shape graphics API direction and NVIDIA's shader language strategy (including Slang) to expose neural graphics primitives to developers. * Build, mentor, and strengthen the team - hiring senior ...

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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, and why are they important?

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 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 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 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:
Shader Programming jobs near you
Infographic showing various Shader Programming job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 99% Full Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution.

Full Stack Engineer

Navier AI

San Francisco, CA

Other

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

About Navier AI

Navier AI is building the first autonomous engineering agents. AI systems that can design, simulate, and optimize complex products to achieve breakthrough levels of performance. Our mission is to enable engineers to move beyond today's slow, manual design cycles by providing agents that reason about physics, explore design trade-offs, and generate high-performance solutions across aerospace, automotive, and advanced manufacturing.

We're backed by top-tier investors and work directly with industry leaders to deploy AI-native tools that go far beyond today's design automation.

Role Overview

We're hiring a Full Stack Engineer to build the interactive interfaces and backend services that power our autonomous engineering agents. You'll be responsible for creating seamless user experiences that let engineers visualize complex geometry, interact with AI agents, and manage design workflows-all while collaborating closely with ML, backend, and simulation teams.

Responsibilities
  • Build interactive web applications using TypeScript, React, and Three.js to visualize CAD models, simulation results, and agent outputs
  • Develop backend services in Python to power workflows, handle model inference requests, and manage user data
  • Design intuitive UIs and workflows that make AI-powered engineering agents accessible and useful to domain experts
  • Implement real-time rendering and 3D visualization pipelines for CAD, meshes, and simulation outputs
  • Collaborate with ML and backend engineers to connect front-end tools with AI models and simulation infrastructure
  • Ensure application performance and scalability through robust state management, API design, and efficient data handling
  • Participate in architecture discussions and help define best practices for frontend + backend integration
  • Own features end-to-end, from design to deployment, in a fast-paced startup environment
 QualificationsRequired
  • Strong proficiency in TypeScript and React
  • Experience building 3D interactive experiences with Three.js or similar frameworks
  • Solid backend development experience in Python (FastAPI, Flask, or Django preferred)
  • Familiarity with API design, authentication, and data handling best practices
  • Ability to work across the stack and own features from frontend to backend
  • Comfort working with scientific/engineering data formats (e.g., meshes, STL, point clouds)
  • Strong product intuition and ability to collaborate closely with designers and engineers
Bonus
  • Experience with CAD visualization, computational geometry, or simulation tools
  • Knowledge of WebGL or shader programming (GLSL, WGSL)
  • Experience integrating ML model inference into production apps
  • Familiarity with containerization (Docker) and cloud deployment (AWS, GCP, or Azure)
  • Prior work in engineering-focused or scientific software companies
Why This Role Matters

The interfaces you build will be the primary way engineers interact with Navier's autonomous agents. You'll shape how complex geometry, simulation results, and AI-driven design decisions are visualized and explored. Your work will directly impact the usability, adoption, and trustworthiness of a category-defining product.

What We Offer
  • Competitive compensation, including salary and equity
  • Direct exposure to high-impact technical problems in aerospace, automotive, and advanced manufacturing
  • Opportunity to help define a new category of engineering software

Apply