Principal Technical Director - Neural Rendering

Electronic Arts (EA); Redwood City (CA); Hybrid; USD 227,000 - 345,000; Full time

Job summary

Electronic Arts is seeking a Principal Technical Director with deep rendering experience to lead a team of rendering engineers and researchers. You will shape end-to-end rendering impact on visuals, production, and game quality, and align with ML-based rendering research for future interactive experiences.

This hybrid role reports to the VP, Head of Research & Development and involves coordinating with architecture and engine teams to push cutting-edge rendering in AAA titles.

Qualifications

• 20+ years of PC or console game programming experience with shipped AAA games or engine work.
• Expertise in C++.
• Experience leading a rendering team.
• Advanced knowledge of real-time rendering.
• Some knowledge of ML techniques for graphics, such as neural rendering.
• Experience with agentic programming.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of 8-10 rendering engineers and researchers.
• Define the future direction of rendering with the Head of R&D, Head of Architecture, Engine Director, and Principal Engineers.
• Bring new ideas, discuss, and implement rendering solutions to complex challenges.
• Guide applied research of novel rendering for use cases in games and pipelines.
• Drive delivery of novel rendering technology in partnership with the Head of Development.

Skills

C++

Leadership

Real-time rendering

Machine learning for graphics

Neural rendering

Agentic programming

Tools

Unity

Unreal Engine

Frostbite

Godot

Job description

Description & Requirements
Electronic Arts creates next-level entertainment experiences that inspire players and fans around the world. Here, everyone is part of the story. Part of a community that connects across the globe. A place where creativity thrives, new perspectives are invited, and ideas matter. A team where everyone makes play happen.

Description & Requirements
Electronic Arts creates next-level entertainment experiences that inspire players and fans around the world. Here, everyone is part of the story. Part of a community that connects across the globe. A place where creativity thrives, new perspectives are invited, and ideas matter. A team where everyone makes play happen.
At EA, we believe games are powerful because they bring together multiple ways people engage: play, watch, create, and connect. And increasingly, the biggest entertainment platforms aren't just places to consume content — they're places where communities build.
Creator-made content is already a proven part of EA's history — from community creation tools in Battlefield to The Gallery in The Sims 4. We believe new creative technologies and tools will expand how players engage with and contribute to our experiences, supported by thoughtful product design, safety systems, and global reach. Our focus is on enabling more players to participate in creative expression by making creation easier, safer, and more rewarding.
We are looking for a Principal Technical Director with deep and broad rendering experience to lead a group of rendering engineers and researchers within our Research & Engineering team. You understand rendering end-to-end: its impact on production, on visuals, and on the quality of a game. You also know the research landscape, including neural rendering, and have a clear view of how graphics must evolve to shape the future of game worlds and experiences. You will help define what the intersection of rendering and machine learning means for the future of interactive entertainment and the creative process.
This is a hybrid role, onsite three days a week, in Montreal, Vancouver, or Redwood City.
You will report to the Vice President, Head of Research & Development.
Responsibilities

• You will lead a team of 8-10 rendering engineers and researchers.
• You will work with the Head of R&D, Head of Architecture, Engine Director, and Principal Engineers to define the future direction of rendering.
• You will bring new ideas, discuss, and implement solutions to some of the most complex rendering challenges
• You will guide applied research of novel rendering for use cases in games and game development pipelines.
• You will drive the delivery of novel rendering technology in partnership with the Head of Development.
  

Qualifications

• 20+ years of PC or console game programming experience, with shipped AAA games or having worked with a game engine such as Unity, Unreal, Frostbite, Godot, or similar technologies
• Expertise in C++
• Experience with leadership, preferably leading a rendering team
• Advanced knowledge of real-time rendering
• Some knowledge of machine learning techniques and their applications to graphics, such as neural rendering
• Experience with agentic programming
  

Pay Transparency - North America
Compensation And Benefits
The ranges listed below are what EA in good faith expects to pay applicants for this role in these locations at the time of this posting. If you reside in a different location, a recruiter will advise on the applicable range and benefits. Pay offered will be determined based on a number of relevant business and candidate factors (e.g. education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, or business needs).
PAY RANGES

• British Columbia (depending on location e.g. Vancouver vs. Victoria) *$204,600 - $287,500 CAD
• California (depending on location e.g. Los Angeles vs. San Francisco) *$227,300 - $344,700 USD

Pay is just one part of the overall compensation at EA.
In the US, we offer a package of benefits including paid time off (3 weeks per year to start), 80 hours per year of sick time, 16 paid company holidays per year, 10 weeks paid time off to bond with baby, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and other incentive programs.
For Canada, we offer a package of benefits including vacation (3 weeks per year to start), 10 days per year of sick time, paid top-up to EI/QPIP benefits up to 100% of base salary when you welcome a new child (12 weeks for maternity, and 4 weeks for parental/adoption leave), extended health/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plan to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and other incentive programs.
About Electronic Arts
We’re proud to have an extensive portfolio of games and experiences, locations around the world, and opportunities across EA. We value adaptability, resilience, creativity, and curiosity. From leadership that brings out your potential, to creating space for learning and experimenting, we empower you to do great work and pursue opportunities for growth.
We adopt a holistic approach to our benefits programs, emphasizing physical, emotional, financial, career, and community wellness to support a balanced life. Our packages are tailored to meet local needs and may include healthcare coverage, mental well-being support, retirement savings, paid time off, family leaves, complimentary games, and more. We nurture environments where our teams can always bring their best to what they do.
Electronic Arts is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, religion, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, family status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will also consider employment qualified applicants with criminal records in accordance with applicable law. EA also makes workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law.