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Shader Programming Jobs in Novato, CA (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 ...

Navier AI

Full Stack Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

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

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

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

San Francisco, CA

$164K - $203K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

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

San Francisco, CA · Remote

$143K - $177K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

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 ...

Unitytech

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 ...

Neuralink

UI Design Engineer

South San Francisco, CA

$125K - $167K/yr

We're looking for an experienced UI Design Engineer to conceptualize, prototype, and ship novel ... shader or a custom property animator, while maintaining an extremely high bar for fluidity and ...

Figma

Software Engineer - Graphics & Media

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$164K - $203K/yr

The Pixel Engine team is looking for engineers with domain expertise in Media processing and ... animation primitives, shader-based effects, and video and image import/export support. This ...

Neuralink

UI Design Engineer

South San Francisco, CA · On-site

$135K - $281K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

We're looking for an experienced UI Design Engineer to conceptualize, prototype, and ship novel ... shader or a custom property animator, while maintaining an extremely high bar for fluidity and ...

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All JobsShader Programming JobsShader Programming Jobs in Novato, CA

Shader Programming information

See Novato, CA salary details

$16.4K

$54K

$77.5K

How much do shader programming jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for shader programming in Novato, CA is $53,997.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,700.00 and $62,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 Novato, CA?

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

What job categories do people searching Shader Programming jobs in Novato, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Shader Programming jobs in Novato, CA are:

What cities near Novato, CA are hiring for Shader Programming jobs?

Cities near Novato, CA with the most Shader Programming job openings:

Shader Programming jobs near you
Infographic showing various Shader Programming job openings in Novato, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% Internship, 68% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 5% Temporary, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 79% In-person, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,997 per year, or $26 per hour.

Senior Computer Vision Engineer

Niantic Spatial, Inc.

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$123K - $169K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
Niantic Spatial is focused on building the future of geospatial AI, utilizing a proprietary database and advanced mapping technology. The Senior Computer Vision Engineer will be responsible for developing and maintaining computer vision systems, optimizing algorithms, and collaborating with various teams to enhance user experiences in spatial AI.
Responsibilities:
• System Architecture: Design, develop, and maintain production-grade computer vision systems that power Niantic Spatial’s VPS (Visual Positioning System) and 3D mapping pipelines.
• Algorithmic Innovation: Refine and scale algorithms for our VPS system including, SfM (Structure from Motion), efficient feature and descriptor extraction to have the best possible accuracy and recall..Moving algorithms from research concepts to hardened production code that can scale for our map of the world.
• Performance Engineering: Optimize complex ML and CV code for maximum efficiency in cloud and mobile environments, ensuring low latency and high-performance execution on GPU/CPU.
• Benchmarking & Evaluation: Create and own the tools and frameworks used to evaluate the quality of our spatial grounding and 3D maps against ground-truth data.
• Technical Leadership: Lead technical design reviews, mentor junior engineers, and serve as a team anchor for resolving complex technical disagreements within the mapping stack.
• Cross-Functional Delivery: Collaborate with Product, Research, and Operations teams to ensure that state-of-the-art computer vision solutions translate into delightful user experiences.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Education: BS, MS, or PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, Computer Vision, or a related technical field (or equivalent professional experience).
• Years of Experience: 5+ years of experience developing and shipping algorithms for image processing, computer vision, or 3D reconstruction.
• Coding Proficiency: Expert-level proficiency in python and/or C++.
• Domain Expertise: Proven track record in designing solutions for Structure from Motion (SfM), VPS or 3D mapping.
• Frameworks & Tools: Deep experience with Deep Learning frameworks (PyTorch or JAX) and version control (Git).
• Required in-office days: 3 days per week
Preferred:
• Experience in planning and leading technical projects from inception to production.
• Significant contributions to open-source CV libraries (OpenCV, COLMAP, etc.).
• Experience with CUDA or shader programming for performance optimization.
Company:
First, our founders brought digital mapping to the world. Next, we invented global-scale AR. Founded in 2024, the company is headquartered in San Francisco, USA, with a team of 51-200 employees. The company is currently Growth Stage.

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