Game Tools & Modding Engineer

Weekday 1; United States; Remote; USD 42,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Weekday 1 is seeking a Game Tools & Modding Engineer for a remote contractor role. The candidate will focus on engine-level development, graphics pipelines, and tool creation to optimize real-time rendering workflows across teams.

The position requires strong C++ expertise, experience with DirectX/Vulkan/OpenGL/Metal, and familiarity with Unreal Engine or similar engines. Collaboration with engineers and artists will be essential to deliver robust tooling and performance improvements.

Qualifications

• 3-6 years of experience in game development, graphics programming, or real-time rendering.
• Strong proficiency in C++.
• Hands-on experience with DirectX 11/12, Vulkan, OpenGL, or Metal.
• Understanding of rendering pipelines, shader programming (HLSL/GLSL), and 3D math.
• Experience with Unreal Engine or a similar game engine.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain engine-level systems and game development tools using C++.
• Build and enhance game modding tools, editor extensions, and development pipelines.
• Extend engine capabilities to improve workflows for developers, artists, and designers.
• Develop and optimize rendering pipelines, shaders, and real-time graphics systems.
• Collaborate with engineers, artists, designers, and other stakeholders; write clean C++ code.
• Participate in code reviews and architectural discussions.

Skills

C++

Game Development

Graphics Programming

DirectX/Vulkan/OpenGL/Metal

Rendering Pipeline

Unreal Engine

Shader Programming

Performance Optimization

Debugging

Remote Collaboration

Tools

RenderDoc

PIX

Nsight

Job description

This role is for one of our clients

$20- $60/hourpay

Role Title: Game Tools & Modding Engineer
Role Type: Contractor
Location: Remote

We are looking for a Game Tools & Modding Engineer with strong expertise in graphics programming, rendering systems, and engine-level development to build high-performance, real-time applications. This role focuses on developing graphics systems, rendering pipelines, engine tools, and low-level optimizations using modern graphics APIs such as DirectX (DX11/DX12), Vulkan, OpenGL, or Metal.

If you have a strong background in game development, graphics programming, and engine architecture, and enjoy working close to the engine rather than gameplay logic, this opportunity is for you.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

Engine & Tools Development

• Design, develop, and maintain engine-level systems and game development tools using C++.
• Build and enhance game modding tools, editor extensions, and development pipelines.
• Extend engine capabilities to improve workflows for developers, artists, and designers.

Graphics & Rendering

• Develop and optimize rendering pipelines, shaders, and real-time graphics systems.
• Implement graphics features using DirectX (DX11/DX12), Vulkan, OpenGL, Metal, or equivalent graphics APIs.
• Work with HLSL/GLSL shaders and modern rendering techniques.

Performance Optimization

• Optimize rendering performance across CPU, GPU, memory, and multithreaded workloads.
• Identify and resolve bottlenecks affecting graphics performance and engine efficiency.
• Debug complex rendering, graphics, and cross-platform compatibility issues.

Collaboration & Code Quality

• Collaborate closely with engineers, technical artists, designers, and other stakeholders to deliver high-quality solutions.
• Write clean, maintainable, and well-documented C++ code following engineering best practices.
• Participate in code reviews, architecture discussions, and technical decision-making.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• 3-6 years of experience in game development, graphics programming, or real-time rendering.
• Strong proficiency in C++.
• Hands-on experience with one or more graphics APIs:
• DirectX 11/12
• Vulkan
• OpenGL
• Metal
• Solid understanding of:
• Rendering pipelines
• Shader programming (HLSL/GLSL)
• 3D mathematics
• Real-time graphics concepts
• Experience with Unreal Engine or a similar game engine.
• Knowledge of performance optimization techniques across CPU, GPU, memory, and multithreading.
• Strong debugging, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently in a distributed or remote team environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with engine customization and low-level systems programming.
• Familiarity with graphics profiling and debugging tools such as RenderDoc, PIX, Nsight, or similar.
• Experience developing cross-platform applications or working within performance-constrained environments.
• Exposure to game development tooling, editor extensions, asset pipelines, or automation.
• Background in multiplayer systems or large-scale game architectures.

Must-Have Skills

• C++
• Game Development
• Graphics Programming
• DirectX / Vulkan / OpenGL
• Rendering Pipeline

Good-to-Have Skills

• Unreal Engine
• Shader Programming (HLSL/GLSL)
• Engine Development
• Performance Optimization
• RenderDoc
• PIX
• Nsight
• Game Tools Development
• Modding Tools