Principal Low-Level Graphics Programmer

We’re looking for a Principal Low-Level Graphics Programmer to join our award winning team in Middlesbrough (UK), home to the beautiful North Yorkshire coastline and countryside. As a Principal Low-Level Rendering Programmer, you will help architect, implement, and steer the technical vision for our next-generation custom graphics engine. This role is focused on the foundational engine plumbing and Render Hardware Interface (RHI) layer. You will design and evolve a highly optimized, GPU-driven rendering pipeline, while building robust infrastructure for hardware-accelerated ray tracing and cross-platform shader compilation. Beyond high-level architecture, you will be responsible for the core performance, stability, and efficiency of the graphics systems. You will dive deep into GPU bottlenecks to eliminate pipeline stalls using GPU profiling tools. Finally, as a principal leader, you will upskill and mentor the wider rendering team in modern API paradigms and low-level debugging techniques, ensuring our engine maximizes hardware utilization across PC and next-generation consoles. Double Eleven is one of the largest independent video games developers and publishers in the UK. Headquartered in Middlesbrough, we employ over 400 people across our UK and Kuala Lumpur studios. 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. As a global games company, we've collaborated to create new worlds in The Outer Worlds 2, helped deliver unforgettable experiences for players of Red Dead Redemption, enabled millions to battle in Rust Console Edition and created new adventures in Fallout 76. Double Eleven is more than a place to work, we are deeply values-driven in all that we do and we know that we are at our best when our people feel fulfilled. 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. We regularly bring our people together to connect and have fun through our many different events, parties and hobby-based clubs. 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 Help drive engine‑level rendering strategy across multiple platforms. Architect and implement modern rendering back-ends and low-level features. Design and evolve a GPU-driven rendering pipeline. Develop robust low-level GPU memory management systems. Maintain a cross-platform shader compilation pipeline. Architect and optimize hardware-accelerated ray tracing infrastructure. Profile, analyse and fix GPU bottlenecks and minimise GPU pipeline stalls. Mentor and upskill the engineering team in modern API paradigms and low-level hardware debugging techniques. What we’re looking for Technical Expertise Extensive experience developing core rendering engine infrastructure. Expert-level proficiency in modern graphics APIs, particularly DirectX 12. Mastery of C++ and GPU programming, including a deep understanding of bindless architectures, GPU-driven rendering, and asynchronous GPU compute. Comprehensive knowledge of modern GPU microarchitecture across PC and consoles. Deep knowledge of hardware ray tracing architecture and acceleration structures. Experience with GPU memory management in modern APIs. Expert-level command of low-level profiling and debugging suites. Extensive experience working with modern console platforms, and bonus points for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. Strong desire to stay up-to-date with modern GPU technology and techniques. Collaboration & Leadership Comfortable owning complex graphics features from planning through to delivery. Proactive in identifying risks, trade-offs and technical solutions. Experience collaborating with content creators 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 Working life at Double Eleven 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 Team life 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 Ways to reach us 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