At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the creation of cutting-edge rendering systems for next-gen video games.
- Company: Join Double Eleven, a top independent game developer in the UK.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, competitive salary, and amazing perks like free meals and gym access.
- Other info: Enjoy a vibrant workplace culture with fun events and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the gaming world with innovative technology and creative freedom.
- Qualifications: Expertise in C++, GPU programming, and multi-platform rendering experience required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
We’re looking for a Principal Graphics Programmer to join our award-winning team in Middlesbrough (UK), home to the beautiful North Yorkshire coastline and countryside. As a Principal Graphics Programmer at Double Eleven, you’ll work alongside the Technical Director and other Principals, helping to lead the technical vision, architecture, and execution of cutting-edge rendering systems for our custom graphics engine for next-generation projects.
Double Eleven is one of the largest independent video games developers and publishers in the UK. We are incredibly proud to partner with some of the world’s leading developers and publishers, including Rockstar Games, Obsidian Entertainment, Mojang, Bethesda Game Studios, and Facepunch. We offer flexible working hours to allow you to truly enjoy work/life balance and always strive to deliver a workplace experience like no other.
On this occasion, we’re unable to sponsor a visa for this role. Remote working option is available for the right candidate.
What you’ll be doing:
- Architect and implement advanced rendering systems including real-time global illumination, ray-traced pipelines, GPU-driven rendering, and novel rendering research prototypes.
- Drive engine-level rendering strategy alongside the Technical Director and Principals, setting the technical direction for graphics features across multiple platforms.
- Oversee graphics performance, diagnosing GPU bottlenecks across the rendering pipeline and implementing optimization strategies.
- Mentor and upskill rendering engineers, promoting best practices in shader development, GPU programming, and graphics debugging.
- Collaborate with art, technical art, tools, and engine teams to design asset pipelines, material systems, lighting workflows, and performance budgets aligned with rendering goals.
- Evaluate and integrate emerging technologies (DLSS, XeSS, FSR, frame-generation, shader compilers, GPU profiling tools, Ray Traced GI and shadows).
- Lead cross-team technical reviews, ensuring rendering systems are scalable, future-proof, and maintainable.
- Represent the graphics team in discussions with internal stakeholders, external partners, hardware vendors, and engine technology providers.
What we’re looking for:
- Technical Expertise: Extensive multi-platform rendering experience, with deep understanding of transitioning techniques between console and PC APIs (e.g., PS5/XSX → DX12/Vulkan/Metal). Expert-level competence in C++ and GPU programming, including Shader Model 6, HLSL/GLSL, bindless rendering, and GPU compute pipelines.
- Strong background in diagnosing and resolving CPU/GPU bottlenecks, using PIX, RenderDoc, NVIDIA NSight, AMD Radeon GPU Profiler, GPUView, VTune, etc.
- Ability to design and explain modern rendering techniques - PBR workflows, ray tracing structures (BVH), real-time GI, SSGI/SSAO, TAA/Upsampling to engineers, artists, and non-technical stakeholders.
- Proven integration of modern graphics technologies, such as advanced upscaling (DLSS/FSR/XeSS), denoisers, RTGI, temporal reconstruction, or vendor-specific SDKs.
Collaboration & Leadership:
- Experience collaborating with content creators using common DCCs, ensuring assets meet performance and technical requirements.
- Strong mentorship skills, capable of lifting the capabilities of a rendering team and guiding architectural decisions.
- Clear communication, capable of driving technical decisions and presenting graphics strategies to directors, producers, clients, and external partners.
Qualifications: All relevant qualifications considered.
What to expect:
- Start your day any time between 8:00am and 10:00am.
- 35 working hours per week with a 1 hour lunch break (with the opportunity to flex down to 30 minutes or up to 2 hours).
- Opportunity to apply for hybrid working (up to 2 days working from home per week).
- 28 days annual leave (20 days annual leave + 8 days bank holiday).
- 1 day leave for your birthday and 1 day leave if you’re moving house.
- Up to 10 days discretionary annual leave during our end of year break.
- A brand new, state-of-the-art studio facilities that includes a market hall serving nutritious, subsidised meals, round-the-clock gym access, an auditorium and more.
- Subsidised market hall with food, freshly prepared daily by our in-house hospitality team.
- Free breakfast options, juice, hot drinks and fruit.
- Employee referral bonus (up to £2000!).
- Electric Car Scheme.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Free game codes, game swag and merchandise.
- Family-friendly leave available.
- Christmas Saving Scheme.
- Free parking.
- Best-in-class tools and workflows so you can focus on creativity.
- Recognising your contribution - award schemes.
- Annual Profit Share.
- Length of Service.
- Annual High Performer Award.
- Professional development and wellbeing.
- Vitality Private Healthcare, discounts and rewards for you, your spouse and children (upon the successful completion of your 6 month probationary period).
- Access to mental health and wellbeing support via Plumm (includes 4 free video therapy sessions per month for both the employee and up to 3 family members aged 18+), unlimited text therapy, courses, meditations.
- A personalised development plan with dedicated support tailored to your growth and goals.
- Access to an accredited Academy providing professional qualifications (and access to 500 UK discounts and offers via TOTUM when registered as a student).
- A dedicated Workplace Experience team responsible for work environments, workplace and quality of employee life services to help foster collaboration, creativity and innovation.
- In-studio wellbeing programmes and People team support.
- Free activities via our Bus Tours programme (where on occasion, partners and children are welcome to join you).
- Many team events to celebrate team and game milestones.
- Sponsored team activities including football, basketball, book club, movie club and more.
- Opportunity to contribute to our internal Employee Diversity and Equality Network.
If you have a general query or if you need support with your application and/or an alternative way to apply, please do not hesitate to contact our Talent team at Double Eleven.
Principal Graphics Programmer in Middlesbrough employer: Double Eleven
Double Eleven is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture in the heart of Middlesbrough, where creativity and innovation thrive. With flexible working hours, generous leave policies, and a commitment to employee wellbeing, we ensure our team members feel valued and fulfilled. Our state-of-the-art facilities and focus on professional development provide unique opportunities for growth, making us a fantastic place for passionate individuals to advance their careers in the gaming industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Graphics Programmer in Middlesbrough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, especially those at Double Eleven. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or demo reel showcasing your best graphics programming work. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate what you can bring to the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical knowledge. Be ready to discuss advanced rendering techniques and how you've tackled challenges in past projects. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our awesome team at Double Eleven.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Graphics Programmer in Middlesbrough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Graphics Programmer role. Highlight your experience with multi-platform rendering and any specific technologies mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Projects:Include examples of your previous work that demonstrate your expertise in graphics programming. Whether it's a personal project or something from your past jobs, we love seeing what you've created and how you tackled challenges.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about graphics programming and how you can contribute to our team at Double Eleven. Keep it engaging and relevant to the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Double Eleven
✨Know Your Graphics Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of advanced rendering systems and techniques. Be ready to discuss your experience with real-time global illumination, ray tracing, and GPU programming in detail. This is your chance to showcase your expertise!
✨Show Off Your Collaboration Skills
Double Eleven values teamwork, so be prepared to talk about how you've worked with artists, technical teams, and other stakeholders in the past. Share specific examples of how you’ve collaborated to solve problems or improve processes.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some deep technical questions during your interview. Brush up on diagnosing CPU/GPU bottlenecks and be ready to explain modern rendering techniques clearly. Practising how to communicate complex ideas simply will help you stand out.
✨Demonstrate Your Mentorship Experience
As a Principal Graphics Programmer, you'll be expected to mentor others. Think of examples where you've guided junior engineers or led a team through a challenging project. Highlighting your leadership skills will show that you're ready for this role.
