Principal Graphics Engineer - The Initiative

The Initiative is looking for a Principal Graphics Engineer to join our team to work on Perfect Dark. In this role, you will lead our rendering technology group, solving the toughest rendering challenges for the content team and lifting the visual bar and performance across all our target platforms and quality tiers. You'll collaborate with concept and design teams to translate artistic vision into stunning, unique visual experiences that push the limits of today’s hardware, and work with engineers, tech artists, and the content team to deliver high quality graphics, solve problems, and improve consistency and efficiency. You will also be collaborating with our dev partner studios, other Xbox 1^st party studios, Xbox tech groups, and with Epic Games. Your work will help refine the technical rendering vision for the Perfect Dark franchise, directly shaping the visual experience for millions of players worldwide.

At the core of The Initiative, we seek to shape the future of narrative-driven games by leveraging the most innovative tech and talent this industry has to offer. We value original, perseverant thinkers & doers who can come together as a cohesive team, capable of creating genre-defining games. We actively seek and celebrate diverse perspectives and experiences, striving to create a respectful, inclusive environment where you can bring your best self and do your best work.   

On Team Perfect Dark, the multi-studio development team reimagining the science-fiction action-adventure game Perfect Dark, we’re seeking collaborative problem solvers who are eager to surprise and delight players new to the franchise. When you join Team Perfect Dark, you join a group of developers across internal and external studios who have contributed to some of the most celebrated, critically acclaimed properties recognized for their excellence and cutting-edge technology, visuals, gameplay, and narrative.  

The Initiative, headquartered in Santa Monica and fully distributed, is a Microsoft Xbox Game Studio. This is an amazing opportunity to join a studio with a great work-life balance and a talented, inclusive team working on the rebirth of the beloved, critically acclaimed franchise, Perfect Dark.  

Core hours are based on Pacific Time but is fully remote. Position may require occasional travel.

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 6+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C or C++
  • OR equivalent experience.

• 1+ shipped AAA game as Principal or Lead Rendering Engineer. 

• 2+ years of experience with Unreal Engine 4 or 5
• 6+ years of experience with real-time rendering, GPU and CPU profiling and optimizing, using Pix, Unreal Insights, or similar tools.

Preferred Experience 

• 3+ years of experience working with multi-threaded programming in Unreal or other game engines 
• Understanding of 3D mathematics, rendering algorithms, and shader development.
• Understanding in modern 3D graphics APIs, such as DirectX, Vulkan, etc.
• Demonstrated understanding of modern-day GPU hardware and typical performance bottlenecks
• debugging and performance analysis skills.
• Experience writing and optimizing GPU shaders.  
• Experience with console development 

• Experience with multi-platform development 

• Demonstrated leadership skills and experience managing a team of engineers. 

• Problem-solving abilities and attention to detail. 

• Passion for gaming and a commitment to technological advancement. 

• Experience with animation technology. 

Software Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $137,600 - $267,000 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $180,400 - $294,000 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until February 20, 2025

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.  We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.

#GamingJobs

• Lead the development, optimization, and troubleshooting of cutting-edge rendering features within Unreal Engine 5 in collaboration with tech and content teams. Work closely with the art and design department to ensure that all features meet artistic and design needs. This could range from specific story-based special effects or project-wide raytracing, lighting and material option enhancements, to render graph and swap chain adjustments and beyond. 

• Work with directors to set standards and best practices for content teams, and analyze content to spot workflow, performance, and visual improvements. 

• Optimize and ensure the scalability of the rendering features to support multiple platforms and quality settings. 

• Write and maintain robust, high-quality code which meets performance goals given the challenging technical constraints of the target platforms. 

• Review code to uphold high standards of quality and performance, and provide technical leadership to manage and mitigate technical risks effectively. 

• Research and stay updated on the latest advancements in graphics technology, contributing to the team’s R&D efforts and implementing real-time rendering techniques. Lead R&D efforts for future rendering features. 

• Lead the rendering team in the design, implementation, and optimization of new graphics technologies. Educate team members about new features and general rendering technologies, ensuring a clear understanding of these implementations. 

• Communication, teamwork, and organizational skills are essential, as you will be working with a diverse group of professionals across various disciplines. 
• Embody our Culture  &  Values