Graphics Software Engineer

About the role

We are seeking a creative, driven, and motivated software engineer to help invent, build, and sustain engineering rendering software for producing complex scenes, objects, and simulation-derived data. You will join a hardworking, multidisciplinary team that develops high-impact engineering capabilities for programs of national importance.

Responsibilities

• Develop multispectral rendering methodologies for Electro-Optical/Infrared, and related applications grounded by physical phenomenology.
• Contribute to a broad variety of tasks across the codebase, such as user interface, continuous integration, and non-graphics features.
• Optimize at the application and shader level to achieve peak performance in both latency and throughput.
• Diagnose and debug graphics, performance, memory, numerical, and integration issues in Linux and/or Windows development environments.
• Provide technical leadership for graphics techniques, implementation planning, code quality, testing strategy, and long-term maintainability.
• Mentor other developers and help establish effective graphics and scientific software development practices.
• Create high-impact software capabilities for challenging national security problems.
• Communicate technical approaches, trade-offs, progress, and results to project teams, technical leadership, and sponsors.

Qualifications

• Possess or are currently pursuing a PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical field.
• Have 5+ years of experience developing graphics, rendering, simulation, game-engine, or other GPU rendering software.
• Have experience working effectively in large codebases.
• Have direct experience with Vulkan, OpenGL, DirectX, or comparable modern graphics APIs, with demonstrated ability to design, implement, and debug rendering pipelines.
• Be proficient in C++ and comfortable developing performance-sensitive software.
• Be proficient in graphics concepts such as rendering pipelines, shaders, buffers, textures, camera models, coordinate transforms, lighting, materials, or scene management.
• Be comfortable solving problems in 3D geometry using linear algebra.
• Work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative technical team.
• Have demonstrated experience in GPU programming, shader optimization, real-time rendering performance analysis, or graphics pipeline profiling.
• Communicate technical ideas clearly through documentation, presentations, and technical discussions.
• Able to obtain a Secret security clearance.

About Us

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space, and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates. At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu. The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development.