At a Glance
- Tasks: Create stunning visual effects and optimise shaders for immersive gaming experiences.
- Company: Join Frontier, a leading independent video game developer in the vibrant tech hub of Cambridge.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working hours, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Other info: Relocation support available and a focus on work/life balance.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team crafting iconic games that captivate players worldwide.
- Qualifications: Experience with HLSL/GLSL shaders and strong maths skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
Frontier is an independent video game developer and publisher, crafting immersive gaming experiences with fun gameplay and unparalleled artistic quality. Renowned for its iconic creative management simulation games, Frontier captivates players worldwide with immersive and authentic game worlds. The modern studio is located in the vibrant technology hub of Cambridge (UK). The talented team at Frontier are dedicated to nurturing our existing portfolio and delivering our exciting future roadmap. This role is offered on a full in-studio basis or a hybrid basis (minimum 3 days per week in the studio). We can provide a comprehensive relocation support package as part of any offer, should you need to relocate.
WHAT’S THE ROLE? We’re looking for a Shader Artist to join our Technical Art team. As a Shader Artist you will be working with artists and render programmers to develop requested features for materials, optimise shaders for both usability and runtime cost, manage project shader libraries and investigate and fix shader-related issues.
WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING
- Work closely with key stakeholders to develop pragmatic and visually stunning effects across specific game areas.
- Contribute and maintain game shader libraries.
- Identify and optimise shader performance issues.
- Optimise texture packing and texture formats based on content usage.
- Ensure content teams have what they need to complete assets, ensuring practical effect workflows and auditing.
- Create shader feature specifications considering key stakeholder requirements.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING
- Experience authoring vertex and pixel shaders in HLSL/GLSL.
- Demonstrated experience of implementing visually impressive features.
- Strong foundation in mathematics, including linear algebra and trigonometry.
- Demonstrated experience in scripting languages like Python and/or Lua.
- Understanding of modern content creation workflows and pipelines.
- Understanding of lighting fundamentals, camera, composition and materials.
- Experience working collaboratively with an ability to communicate information effectively.
- Knowledge of GPU profiling and memory optimisations.
BONUS IF YOU HAVE
- Comfortable programming in C++.
- Knowledge of rendering pipelines, effective shader techniques, physically based shading, visual effects and post-processing.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU You will work with talented and passionate people to support, develop or publish our sophisticated and enduring games, in a creative, collaborative and inclusive environment. We love what we do, and we work hard to provide outstanding experiences for our players. Wellbeing is a big focus at Frontier, and we are continually evolving how we can support our people. We encourage a healthy work/life balance and provide a range of wellbeing activities, initiatives and sessions to support both mental and physical health. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes a success-based annual bonus, share option schemes, life assurance, private family healthcare, flexitime working hours, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, in-house subsidised catering, support with relocation, a Cycle to Work scheme, free bike servicing, and social activities and events. We strive to create an environment where everyone can fully demonstrate their capability and potential. If you therefore need any reasonable adjustments to support you during the recruitment process, please speak to your Talent Acquisition representative.
Shader Artist employer: Frontier Developments
Frontier is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture in the heart of Cambridge's technology hub. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, we provide a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including flexible working hours, private healthcare, and support for relocation. Our commitment to nurturing talent ensures that as a Shader Artist, you will have ample opportunities for professional growth while collaborating with passionate individuals dedicated to creating immersive gaming experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Shader Artist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the gaming industry, especially those at Frontier or similar studios. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for advice or insights into their work.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your shader work and any impressive features you've implemented. Make sure it’s easy to navigate and showcases your best projects—this is your chance to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge. Be ready to discuss shader optimisation, performance issues, and your experience with HLSL/GLSL. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms—communication is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll find all the latest opportunities there, so keep an eye out for roles that match your skills and interests.
We think you need these skills to ace Shader Artist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience with HLSL/GLSL shaders and any visually impressive features you've implemented. We want to see what you can do!
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor it to the Shader Artist role by mentioning specific projects or experiences that relate to shader performance optimisation and content creation workflows. It’ll make you stand out!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain your experience and skills. We appreciate clarity and want to understand your journey without sifting through fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Frontier Developments
✨Know Your Shaders
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of HLSL/GLSL and be ready to discuss your experience with vertex and pixel shaders. Prepare examples of visually impressive features you've implemented, as this will show your practical skills and understanding of shader performance.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working closely with artists and render programmers, think of specific instances where you've successfully collaborated on projects. Be prepared to discuss how you communicated effectively and contributed to a team environment.
✨Understand the Game Development Pipeline
Familiarise yourself with modern content creation workflows and pipelines. Be ready to talk about how you’ve optimised texture packing and formats in past projects, as this will demonstrate your understanding of the technical aspects of game development.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions related to mathematics, GPU profiling, and memory optimisation. Brush up on linear algebra and trigonometry concepts, and be ready to explain how they apply to shader development. This will show that you have a strong foundation in the technical skills required for the role.
