Salary
£70k - £144.4k
£60k
£80k
£100k
£120k
£140k
£160k
Principal Graphics Programmer
Graphics Programming focuses on the development, implementation, and maintenance of real-time rendering and visual effects systems that enable high-quality graphics in games. This role is responsible for building and optimising graphical features such as particle systems, shaders, lighting, post-processing, and rendering pipelines, ensuring they perform efficiently across platforms. It supports and extends graphics engines, both proprietary and commercial, by writing production-quality, well-documented code and by contributing to testing and optimisation efforts. Graphics Programmers play a key role in refining tools and workflows for handling large-scale visual data and collaborate closely with teams such as Art, VFX, Design, and Engineering to align visual goals with technical execution.
Develop and optimise lighting solutions (real-time and baked), ensuring top-tier quality and stable performance Research, prototype, and implement physically based shading models (BRDFs) to improve realism and artistic direction. Guide and mentor other graphics programmers, setting technical standards for the rendering team. Collaborate with art directors, graphics programmers, and technical artists to balance performance and visual quality. Writing scalable and reusable code with performance in mind. Maintain, extend, and optimise existing engine or game-side features. Ensuring overall build performance and stability throughout all stages of development. Taking ownership of features & documenting the work accordingly. Optimise rendering performance, ensuring high framerates and efficient GPU/CPU memory usage across multiple hardware platforms and operating systems.
Technical Areas
Real-time rendering systems (particles, shaders, lighting, post-processing, pipelines)
engine support
testing & optimisation
cross-team alignment
Interpersonal Skills
Collaboration
Communication
Cross-functional teamwork
Technical communication
Problem-solving
Organisation
Mentoring
Leadership