{"id":584113,"url":"https://alion.io/job/cloudimperiumgames-lead-graphics-programmer","title":"Lead Graphics Programmer","company":{"id":453848,"name":"Cloud Imperium Games","domain":"cloudimperiumgames.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/cloudimperiumgames-2","size_band":"501-1000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":70,"open_postings":34,"ghost_share":0.412,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":60,"computed_at":"2026-10-23T05:54:15Z"}},"role":"Games","role_family":"Games","seniority":"lead","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Manchester, United Kingdom"],"countries":["GB"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":56000,"max_usd":157000,"period":"year","method":"global_role_cell_scaled_by_country","sample_n":40},"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"C++","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-01-28T00:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-01-28","last_verified_at":"2026-10-22T09:09:54Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":269,"trust":{"level":"ghost","repost_count":0,"flags":["stale","company_stale"],"days_open":269},"description":"We are a crowdfunded company and have a dedicated and enthusiastic community of backers who are helping us create the “Best Damn Space Sim Ever”. We want to build the best we can deliver and we believe wholeheartedly in the value of exceptional diverse talent.\nAs a Lead Graphics Programmer in the Manchester Studio, you would be pushing forwards the rendering technology that powers a huge sandbox universe, spanning every conceivable scale from shading interstellar gas clouds, planets and asteroid belts, down to rendering individual human hairs.\nYou will also advance the core rendering technology that aspires to achieve photo-real visuals, such as physically based light, eye and lens simulations, as well as more low-level engine technologies such as shader building & compilation, content streaming systems, and the multi-threaded and cross-API renderer architecture.\nAll of this will be achieved using the latest PC hardware, technology and APIs to produce a fast and scalable suite of visual technology to power some of the most ambitious games ever developed.\nFounded in 2012, Cloud Imperium Games creates cutting-edge videogames that defy expectations. We’re currently developing Star Citizen, a record-breaking multiplayer online space sim, and Squadron 42, a cinematic single-player adventure set in the same universe.\nWhat does a Lead Graphics Programmer at Cloud Imperium Games do?\nIn short, on a daily basis you will:\nLead the technical direction of graphics and rendering systems within your domain.\nDrive research and implementation of new cutting-edge graphics technology and tools.\nOwn major rendering features and systems from design through to delivery and long-term maintenance.\nAnalyse, refactor and improve upon existing graphics technology.\nManage a team of graphics programmers, including performance reviews, development planning, and day-to-day support.\nCoordinate workload and priorities within the graphics team in collaboration with production and engineering leadership.\nWork closely with art, design, and engineering teams to align visual goals with technical solutions.\nAssist and advise other software developers in use of graphics/rendering features, while debugging and fixing complex problems.\nProfile and optimise the entire rendering pipeline, including lighting and shading components of the game.\nHelp define technical standards, workflows, and performance targets for the rendering team.\nKeep up to date with the latest graphics and rendering techniques and tools, helping us to innovate, plan, and deliver full features.\nWhat do we expect from our Lead Graphics Programmers?\nExpert-level C++ skills in a large shared codebase, including architecture, code reviews, and performance-critical systems.\nStrong experience with shader languages and modern graphics APIs.\nDeep knowledge of 3D rendering, 3D math, and optimisation of the complete rendering pipeline.\nProven experience owning significant graphics or engine-level systems.\nExperience managing engineers, including performance management and career development.\nStrong software debugging skills to effectively track, diagnose and solve complex issues.\nWork well in a cooperative, cross-functional team environment; ability to translate technical jargon to non-technical audiences.\nDiversity Statement\nCIG is a global company, staunchly committed to cultivating a culture and workplace that celebrates all backgrounds, lifestyles, and perspectives. Together, we are creating a space where authentic recognition, appreciation, and understanding of the importance of diversity is fostered by everyone. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we strive to build a team that represents all walks of life, and we want every employee to bring all the things that make them unique to the work environment. The universe is as vast and varied as the people in it, and it’s our differences that make it special.\nFraud Statement\nWe are aware of people receiving job offers that fraudulently allege to be from CIG. These types of fraud can be carried out through false websites, fake email addresses claiming to be from our company, or social media. We do not ask for your personal info like bank account numbers, identification numbers, etc through social media or chat-based apps, nor do we request or send money for the purchase of business equipment.\nIf you suspect fraud, please report it to your local authorities, as well as reaching out to us at info[@]cloudimperiumgames.com with any information you may have.*\nIf you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!","description_format":"text","description_chars":4613,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":null,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":null,"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":[],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["PC Games","Game Development"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-10T01:18:45Z"}],"visa":[{"country":"GB","licensed_sponsor":true,"evidence":"Licensed UK visa sponsor (Senior or Specialist Worker, Skilled Worker)","filings_12m":null,"filings_prev_12m":null,"green_card_filings_12m":null,"median_offered_wage_usd":null,"route":"Global Business Mobility: Senior or Specialist Worker; Skilled Worker","cap_exempt":false,"checked_at":"2026-10-23T06:21:00+00:00","sources":["UK Home Office: register of licensed sponsors (workers)"],"filings_for_role_12m":0}],"liveness":{"score":8,"band":"cold","label":"Long shot","p_open":1,"p_active":0.3,"p_room":0.28,"age_days":268,"expected_fill_days":60,"reasons":["conf:20","urgency","ghost","win:tail","crowd:"],"computed_at":"2026-10-23T05:54:15Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/cloudimperiumgames-lead-graphics-programmer","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/cloudimperiumgames-lead-graphics-programmer.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-24T05:56:01Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":8544,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-25T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":453848},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=453848"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fcloudimperiumgames-lead-graphics-programmer"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fcloudimperiumgames-lead-graphics-programmer"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fcloudimperiumgames-lead-graphics-programmer"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/cloudimperiumgames-lead-graphics-programmer\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fcloudimperiumgames-lead-graphics-programmer"}]}