Shader Artist

Frontier Developments plc.; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Cycle to Work

Private healthcare

Job summary

Frontier Developments plc in Cambridge is seeking a Shader Artist to join our Technical Art team. You will develop features for materials, optimise shaders for usability and runtime cost, and manage project shader libraries to support our upcoming roadmap.

The role offers in-studio or hybrid work (minimum 3 days in the studio) and relocation support. Frontier provides a competitive salary, wellbeing focus, and a comprehensive benefits package including share schemes and private healthcare.

Qualifications

• Experience authoring vertex and pixel shaders in HLSL/GLSL.
• Strong foundation in mathematics (linear algebra, trigonometry).
• Experience with scripting in Python and/or Lua.
• Understanding of modern content creation workflows and pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Work with stakeholders to develop visually stunning effects across game areas.
• Contribute and maintain shader libraries for the project.
• Identify and optimise shader performance issues.
• Optimise texture packing and formats based on usage.
• Ensure content teams have the assets and workflow they need.
• Create shader feature specifications meeting stakeholder requirements.

Skills

Shader programming

HLSL/GLSL

Math foundations

Python scripting

GPU profiling

Texture optimization

Lighting knowledge

Tools

Python

Lua

GPU profiling tools

Texture packing

Job description

Frontier is an independent video game developer and publisher, crafting immersive gaming experiences with fun gameplay and unparalleled artistic quality. Renowned for its iconic creative management simulation games, Frontier captivates players worldwide with immersive and authentic game worlds. The modern studio is located in the vibrant technology hub of Cambridge (UK). The talented team at Frontier are dedicated to nurturing our existing portfolio and delivering our exciting future roadmap.

This role is offered on a full in-studio basis or a hybrid basis (minimum 3 days per week in the studio). We can provide a comprehensive relocation support package as part of any offer, should you need to relocate.

WHAT’S THE ROLE?

We’re looking for a Shader Artist to join our Technical Art team. As a Shader Artist you will be working with artists and render programmers to develop requested features for materials, optimise shaders for both usability and runtime cost, manage project shader libraries and investigate and fix shader-related issues.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

• Work closely with key stakeholders to develop pragmatic and visually stunning effects across specific game areas.

• Contribute and maintain game shader libraries.

• Identify and optimise shader performance issues.

• Optimise texture packing and texture formats based on content usage.

• Ensure content teams have what they need to complete assets, ensuring practical effect workflows and auditing.

• Create shader feature specifications considering key stakeholder requirements.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

• Experience authoring vertex and pixel shaders in HLSL/GLSL.

• Demonstrated experience of implementing visually impressive features.

• Strong foundation in mathematics, including linear algebra and trigonometry.

• Demonstrated experience in scripting languages like Python and/or Lua.

• Understanding of modern content creation workflows and pipelines.

• Understanding of lighting fundamentals, camera, composition and materials.

• Experience working collaboratively with an ability to communicate information effectively.

• Knowledge of GPU profiling and memory optimisations.

BONUS IF YOU HAVE

• Experience authoring compute shaders.

• Comfortable programming in C++.

• Knowledge of rendering pipelines, effective shader techniques, physically based shading, visual effects and post-processing.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

You will work with talented and passionate people to support, develop or publish our sophisticated and enduring games, in a creative, collaborative and inclusive environment. We love what we do, and we work hard to provide outstanding experiences for our players.

Wellbeing is a big focus at Frontier, and we are continually evolving how we can support our people. We encourage a healthy work/life balance and provide a range of wellbeing activities, initiatives and sessions to support both mental and physical health.

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes a success-based annual bonus, share option schemes, life assurance, private family healthcare, flexitime working hours, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, in-house subsidised catering, support with relocation, a Cycle to Work scheme, free bike servicing, and social activities and events.

We strive to create an environment where everyone can fully demonstrate their capability and potential. If you therefore need any reasonable adjustments to support you during the recruitment process, please speak to your Talent Acquisition representative.

For queries, please email: [e-mail]