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Tools Programmer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Pipe17

Junior Tools Engineer

Seattle, WA

Junior Tools Engineer Location: On Site Seattle Department: Engineering About Pipe17 Pipe17 connects commerce businesses' selling channels, fulfillment providers, and back-office systems into one ...

Fisher Investments

DevOps and Tools Engineer

Tampa, FL · Hybrid

We are looking for a DevOps Tools Engineer to support our Corporate Systems team. If you are looking for an opportunity to make a difference as we develop scalable and strategic solutions to support ...

Pipe17

Junior Tools Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

Junior Tools Engineer Location: On Site • Seattle Department: Engineering About Pipe17 Pipe17 connects commerce businesses' selling channels, fulfillment providers, and back-office systems into one ...

Fisher Investments

DevOps and Tools Engineer

Plano, TX · Hybrid

We are looking for a DevOps Tools Engineer to support our Corporate Systems team. If you are looking for an opportunity to make a difference as we develop scalable and strategic solutions to support ...

PSG Global Solutions

Java Tools Engineer

Burbank, CA

$55.25 - $76/hr

The Sr. Tools Engineer works as part of this Platform team and is responsible for designing and developing the components and platform solutions that help enable our internal and cloud application ...

OpenAI

Hardware Tools Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

The Hardware Tools Engineer role involves developing and evolving the tooling ecosystem that hardware engineers rely on, with responsibilities spanning software engineering, compiler concepts, and ...

General Motors

Performance Tools Developer

Concord, NC · On-site

$130K/yr

Develop and build analysis tools in motorsports; and Programing in python and MATLAB. #LI-DNI About GM Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the ...

Fisher Investments

DevOps and Tools Engineer

Camas, WA · Hybrid

We are looking for a DevOps Tools Engineer to support our Corporate Systems team. If you are looking for an opportunity to make a difference as we develop scalable and strategic solutions to support ...

OpenAI

Hardware Tools Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$225K - $445K/yr

Work closely with designers and verification engineers to turn real pain points into durable tools. * Dive into RTL when needed: read and reason about Verilog/SystemVerilog to debug issues, validate ...

Medtronic

Senior Software Engineer - Tools

Moundsview, MN

$129K - $171K/yr

The Sr. Software Tools Engineer will be an integral memberinthe Cardiac Ablation Software Team, working oncutting-edgetechnology in the electrophysiology field. This role offers a rare chance to be ...

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How much do tools programmer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for tools programmer in the United States is $125,000.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $116,000.00 and $143,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Tools Programmer?

As a Tools Programmer, you will spend your days designing, implementing, and maintaining software tools that support artists, designers, and other developers in their workflow. This often involves collaborating closely with team members to gather requirements, troubleshoot issues, and ensure tools are intuitive and reliable. You might also work on optimizing existing tools or integrating new technology into the development pipeline. Regular communication with end users of your tools is common to ensure they meet production needs. This role requires balancing independent programming tasks with frequent team interactions to deliver effective solutions.

What does a Tools Programmer do?

A Tools Programmer develops and maintains software tools that help game developers work more efficiently. These tools can include level editors, asset pipelines, debugging utilities, and performance analysis tools. Their goal is to streamline development processes and improve productivity for artists, designers, and other programmers. They typically work closely with multiple departments to understand their needs and create custom solutions. Strong programming skills, particularly in languages like C++, Python, or C#, are essential for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Tools Programmer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Tools Programmer, you need strong proficiency in software development (typically C++ or Python), understanding of computer science fundamentals, and often a degree in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with source control systems (like Git), industry-standard development environments, and experience with game engines or DCC tools is highly valued. Strong problem-solving abilities, excellent communication, and a collaborative mindset are essential soft skills for working with multidisciplinary teams. These skills are crucial for building efficient, user-friendly tools that streamline development workflows and enhance productivity across projects.

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Tools Programmer jobs near you
Senior Game Systems Programmer

Senior Game Systems Programmer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Laurel, MD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory rating

9.9

Company rating: 9.9 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

1st of 58 rated research

Job description

Description
Are you a senior or staff-level systems programmer, engine programmer, or low-level C++ engineer who has built core technology for complex real-time software?
Do you enjoy shaping runtime architecture, improving performance, mentoring engineers, and turning difficult technical problems into reliable systems?
If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.
We are seeking a senior game systems programmer to help us advance interactive 3D training and simulation capabilities for vital national security challenges. You'll join a multidisciplinary team moving ambitious ideas from early designs to robust game-engine-based capabilities. This is an opportunity to bring game-industry systems programming, engine architecture, and system performance into an environment focused on public service and long-term mission impact.
As a Senior Game Systems Programmer...
  • Your primary responsibility will be to architect, develop, test, and improve real-time software systems that support simulation, interactive 3D visualization, scenario execution, and training.
  • You will provide technical leadership for performance-sensitive C++ software involving engine systems, physics models, runtime architecture, distributed simulation, data flow, networking, interaction, or visualization.
  • You will define and evolve foundational systems such as state management, resource loading, streaming, serialization, platform abstraction, scenario control, synchronization, messaging, simulation execution, or data pipelines.
  • You will integrate game engines, custom software frameworks, physics models, simulation components, rendering systems, data sources, hardware interfaces, and external tools into reliable interactive capabilities.
  • You will profile, debug, and improve complex software systems across CPU, GPU, memory, networking, storage, latency, throughput, load time, and real-time frame-budget constraints.
  • You will mentor engineers, guide architecture and code reviews, communicate technical tradeoffs, and help the team build software that is performant, maintainable, testable, and usable.

Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
  • Have a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, game development, physics, mathematics, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
  • Have 8+ years of professional software development experience in game-engine systems, real-time simulation, visualization, interactive tools, engine development, graphics, distributed systems, robotics, extended reality, or related performance-sensitive software.
  • Have significant experience developing clear and maintainable, high-performance C++ software for real-time, interactive, simulation, engine, or other performance-sensitive applications.
  • Have experience designing software architectures for complex technical systems such as game engines, simulation systems, distributed applications, visualization platforms, interactive tools, robotics systems, or other real-time software platforms.
  • Have deep experience in one or more systems programming areas such as memory management, multithreading, job systems, streaming, serialization, networking, platform abstraction, resource management, rendering integration, physics integration, tools, build systems, data pipelines, or large-scale C++ architecture.
  • Have experience leading technical efforts, mentoring engineers, reviewing designs, communicating technical tradeoffs, and helping teams converge on practical, maintainable solutions.
  • Are willing and able to travel occasionally for meetings, demonstrations, integration events, or partner engagements.
  • Are able to obtai Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
  • Have senior or staff-level experience as a systems programmer, engine programmer, platform programmer, rendering programmer, tools programmer, physics programmer, networking programmer, or core technology programmer in the game industry.
  • Have experience with Unity, Unreal Engine, or proprietary, in-house, open-source, or custom real-time 3D engine technology.
  • Have experience with physics modeling, distributed simulation, multiplayer networking, state synchronization, deterministic simulation, scenario systems, terrain systems, geospatial visualization, or simulation-based training systems.
  • Have experience modernizing, refactoring, stabilizing, or extending large C++ systems while supporting active users, prototypes, interactive systems, or mission operations.
  • Have experience building tools, asset pipelines, debugging utilities, automated tests, build systems, or workflows used by engineers, analysts, designers, artists, or other technical users.
  • Hold an active Secret.

About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$105,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$290,000 Annually

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