Shader Technical Artist

2k; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 86,000 - 127,000; Full time

Job summary

2k in California is seeking a Shader Technical Artist to develop and maintain a shader pipeline, crafting high-quality shaders for a new generation of player-driven experiences.

You will work with Unreal Engine, create stylized and PBR shaders, optimize performance, and collaborate across disciplines to raise visual fidelity while meeting frame-rate targets.

We value demonstrated shader mastery, 4+ years in Technical Art, and experience with UE5, Substance Designer, Substance Painter, Photoshop.

Qualifications

• 4 years of experience or 2+ shipped titles in a Technical Art role.
• Proficiency in creating stylized and PBR shaders using node-based editors, tiled layered materials, shader networks, procedural texturing, and HLSL.
• Understanding of the technical foundations behind visually stunning textures and shaders in a physically-based rendering pipeline.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate across disciplines, sharing ideas and articulating visions.
• Familiarity with UE5, Substance Designer, Substance Painter, Photoshop, modeling, baking and texturing.

Responsibilities

• Craft and optimize shader/master materials using Unreal Engine's node-based shader graph and HLSL/GLSL/CG shader code.
• Collaborate with development teams to uphold artistic and technical shader standards while balancing performance constraints.
• Assist in developing innovative shader approaches, create shading validation tools, and define shading standards.
• Provide technical support by identifying and resolving content pipeline inefficiencies, performing profiling, and optimizing shaders.

Skills

Unreal Engine shader development

HLSL/GLSL/CG

Procedural texturing

Shader graph / node-based editors

PBR shader creation

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Tools

Unreal Engine 5

Substance Designer

Substance Painter

Photoshop

Job description

WE ARE GAME MAKERS

Who We Are:

We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and inspired by a culture of inclusivity to build amazing games that thrill players everywhere. We pursue growth and innovation in an environment of safety and trust. Our culture is built on the belief that the more varied voices in our collective will strengthen our team and our games. We are looking for our next teammate who will raise our bar and make us better.

What We Need:

We're seeking a Shader Technical Artist to leverage their technical skills and artistic understanding to help develop and maintain a strong shader pipeline that will serve teams across multiple disciplines. Your passion, knowledge, and experience will be integral to the look and style of a new generation of player-driven experiences, stemming from your ability to create high-quality shaders and technology that bring life to the worlds we build.

Who You Are:

• Utilize extensive experience in Unreal Engine to meticulously craft and optimize shader/master materials using Unreal Engine's node-based shader graph and HLSL/GLSL/CG shader code, ensuring they are built cleanly and efficiently for seamless integration and user-friendly utilization by the materials team.
• Collaborate with development teams to establish and uphold artistic and technical shader standards, pushing the boundaries of real-time rendering while adhering to performance constraints.
• Assist in driving the development of innovative approaches to address complex technical and creative challenges, participating in the creation of shaders, shading validation tools, and defining shading standards.
• Provide technical support in identifying and resolving inefficient content pipelines, conducting performance profiling, and optimizing shaders to enhance overall visual fidelity and maintain desired frame rates.

What Will Make You a Great Fit:

• 4 years of experience or 2+ shipped titles in a Technical Art role.
• Proficiency in creating stylized and PBR shaders using node-based shader editors, tiled layered material systems, shader networks, procedural texturing, and HLSL code.
• Understanding of the technical foundations behind visually stunning textures and shaders in a physically-based rendering pipeline.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate across disciplines, sharing ideas and articulating visions.
• Familiarity with all the tools, techniques, and asset creation pipelines: UE5, Substance Designer, Substance Painter, Photoshop, modeling, baking, and texturing.

Bonus Experience:

• Experience in Unreal Engine's node-based shader graph.
• Strong understanding of console, PC, and mobile platforms, and how to scale shaders to optimize for each.

Compensation & Benefits:

The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $85,700 and $126,860 per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations.

Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program.

Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefi ts at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company's discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefi ts; and reimbursements for fi tness-related expenses. Ontario only: The use of Artifi cial Intelligence is not being used to screen candidates. The position is for an existing vacancy.