Senior Graphics Programmer

Ever found yourself staring at a game world, utterly mesmerized by its beauty, yet thinking, 'How can we make this even better, even faster?' If that's you, then get ready to make a huge impact. Studio Wildcard, the innovative team behind the colossal hit ARK: Survival Evolved, is actively seeking a brilliant Senior Graphics Programmer. We need someone truly passionate about squeezing every last drop of performance and visual splendor out of Unreal Engine 5. This isn't just about tweaking settings; it's about fundamentally reshaping how our ambitious environments come to life on screen, making them breathtakingly stunning while keeping frame rates buttery smooth. If you thrive on challenges at the very edge of technological possibility, we want to talk to you.

Overview

Studio Wildcard, founded in 2014, revolutionized the gaming world with ARK: Survival Evolved, an indie smash that shattered records across platforms. We're continuing to push the envelope, and we're searching for a Senior Graphics Programmer to join our exceptionally talented team. This is a fully remote, worldwide opportunity, meaning you can contribute to our next groundbreaking success from anywhere. You will report directly to our Chief Technical Officer, taking on the exciting challenge of optimizing and enhancing the core rendering systems that bring our massive, dynamic worlds to life. Your work will directly influence the visual fidelity and performance of our future titles, pushing Unreal Engine 5 to its absolute limits for an unparalleled player experience.

Key Responsibilities

Dive deep into the Unreal Engine C++ source code to implement complex refactors and essential engine upgrades, ensuring robust support for our massive open-world gameplay visions.
Profile GPU performance with surgical precision, identifying and resolving severe rendering bottlenecks linked to draw calls, level of detail (LOD) transitions, and overdraw.
Conduct thorough investigations into the specific hardware profiles of modern consoles, including PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, optimizing rendering pipelines for peak performance on each platform.
Lead the charge in developing and integrating cutting-edge visual technologies, constantly seeking innovative ways to elevate our game's aesthetic to new heights.
Collaborate closely with artists, designers, and other engineers to understand their needs and translate creative visions into optimized, visually stunning realities.
Contribute significantly to architectural decisions for rendering systems, influencing the long-term technical direction of our projects.

Requirements

Proven experience as a Senior Graphics Programmer, with a strong portfolio showcasing your impact on visually demanding games.
Exceptional proficiency in C++ and a deep, practical understanding of modern rendering pipelines and GPU architecture.
Extensive hands-on experience with Unreal Engine, particularly Unreal Engine 5, including significant work within its C++ source code.
Demonstrated ability to profile and optimize GPU performance effectively across various hardware targets.
Solid grasp of advanced rendering techniques such as deferred rendering, global illumination, and physically based rendering (PBR).
Familiarity with console development, specifically optimizing for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S hardware.
A passionate, obsessive focus on both visual fidelity and uncompromising performance.
Excellent problem-solving skills and a proactive attitude towards tackling complex technical challenges.
Ability to work autonomously in a remote setting and collaborate effectively with a globally distributed team.

What You'll Gain

The incredible opportunity to push the boundaries of game graphics on an award-winning franchise, impacting millions of players worldwide.
Work directly with industry leaders and a highly experienced technical team, reporting to the CTO.
A stimulating environment where innovation is celebrated, and your contributions genuinely matter to the final product.
Experience a fully remote work culture that values flexibility, autonomy, and collaboration across time zones.
Access to cutting-edge tools and the creative freedom to explore novel rendering solutions.
Be part of a company that continues to break records and redefine what's possible in indie game development.