Expert Rendering Programmer - F/M/NB

About

Novaquark is dedicated to bringing people from across the globe together to breathe life into worlds of their own making. Our first game, Dual Universe, grandly showcases the power of next-generation voxels. Players and game makers alike are empowered to let their wildest imaginings soar to create stunning buildings and contraptions, fully-functioning vehicles of every shape and size, and awe-inspiring pieces of art.

We’re just getting started! We are working on several ambitious games that span across multiple genres, that leverage our technology driven mindset. proven engines such as Unreal 5, and industry-standard workflows. With the NQ way we mean that as game makers our collective potential can be brought to new heights leveraging technology. We are looking for talented and passionate people to join our growing team and help us make these forward-thinking games a reality.

With a mix of industry veterans and promising young talents, Novaquark is a place where individual contributions matter above else in an inclusive workplace. We have offices in Paris and Montreal, both in central and easily accessible locations, and the coffee pot is always on. Want to work from home in your favorite fuzzy slippers? No problem: we have a fully flexible work policy. Oh, and did we mention that we like to have fun while we’re at it? We’re making games, after all! Novaquarkians often meet up, in-person and online, to share food, games, and good times. Come as you are! Visit the Novaquark website to learn more. If you like what you see and want to be a part of it, get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.

The NQ Way:

  • We prioritize results rather than seniority.

  • We work from anywhere.

  • We come as we are.

  • We go where no other game has gone: we started with Dual Universe, and we are all game creators, pushing innovation and creativity.

  • We leverage all technologies (Unreal engine, procedural, AI, UGC, data, server, voxel...) because we love, as a team, to do more with the power available at our fingertips.

  • And we believe it is a transmission of the future. Inclusion, innovation, progression. The future will tell us if we are right.

Regarding our company culture and rituals, we host "Weekly Team Games" every Monday. Participation is optional, and it's a great opportunity to play online games with fellow Novaquarkians. We also have a mandatory meeting every three weeks, on Mondays, to discuss the progress of our internal projects.

To keep everyone up-to-date, we regularly dispatch newsletters that cover the latest developments of our project.

In Paris, our office is situated in the 3rd arrondissement, just a stone's throw from the Arts et Métiers metro station, on Beaubourg Street. For those coming to the office, the area offers a diverse array of dining options, catering to all tastes and preferences.

At Novaquark, we are dedicated to fighting discrimination in all its forms and fostering an inclusive environment including those from individuals with disabilities. We welcome applications from all candidates, as we strive to build a team that reflects the rich diversity of our global community.

Job Description

Role Summary

As an Expert Rendering Programmer, you will be the technical authority responsible for the visual performance and stability of our title. We need someone who can dive deep into the hardware, identifying hidden bottlenecks and optimizing the rendering core to fit strict performance budgets without sacrificing visual quality. Your work will involve auditing pipeline efficiency, cleaning up expensive material setups, and ensuring a seamless experience across the entire spectrum of hardware—from high-end PCs to the specific constraints of the Xbox Series S.

You will be joining the 4-person Rendering Team which, together with the Animation Programming and Unreal teams, form the Engine feature team. You will be working alongside our engine/animation and rendering specialists acting as a senior mentor and technical lead on graphics-heavy features.

You will collaborate heavily with the Art Team to optimize assets and the Engine/Platform Team to resolve low-level hardware spikes.

Core Mandate (3 main missions)

  • Pipeline Audit & Optimization: Perform a comprehensive audit of the rendering pipeline, optimizing Unreal Engine core features such as Raytracing and TLAS (Top Level Acceleration Structures) to ensure maximum efficiency.

  • Platform Stability & Memory Management: Directly address Xbox Series S memory constraints and investigate/solve VRAM spikes on PC to maintain a stable footprint across all platforms.

  • Performance Architecture: Identify bottlenecks at the micro-level and implement new systems using compute shaders to offload work and improve frame rates.

Success Criteria (What are we expecting from this person in the next months)

  • Bottleneck Resolution: Successfully identify and fix major rendering bottlenecks within the first few months.

  • Performance Strategy: Provide a clear roadmap and recommendations for improving both rendering fidelity and performance throughput.

  • Budget Oversight: Audit and establish performance budgets for art and tech, ensuring the team stays within limits.

  • Scalability Excellence: Improve and optimize UE scalability settings tailored specifically to each platform and hardware configuration.

Key information

  • Accepting permanent staff and freelance candidates

  • Availability: ASAP (if available later, do not hesitate to apply!)

  • Location: Full remote possible (Europe only)

  • Compensation and Benefits:

    We partner with Deel to facilitate hiring globally, ensuring compliance with local labor laws and providing tailored benefits for each country. This collaboration allows us to offer competitive packages and seamless onboarding for our international team members, enhancing their employment experience no matter where they are located.

  • Few links about us

Preferred Experience

Hard skills

  • Mandatory

    • Advanced GPU Debugging: Extensive experience in GPU crash debugging and post-mortem analysis.
    • Compute & Async Mastery: Deep knowledge of Compute shader optimization and the optimal utilization of Async/Compute queues.
    • Memory & Streaming: Proficiency in memory monitoring, resolving VRAM spikes, and optimizing for streaming pressure.
    • Platform Deep-Dive: In-depth knowledge of platform-specific hardware architectures and low-level rendering APIs.
    • Raytracing Expertise: Comprehensive understanding of Raytracing systems and acceleration structure management.
    • Unreal Engine Experience: At least 2 years of experience working with Unreal Engine as a Senior/Principal Rendering/Graphics Programmer.
  • Nice to have

    • UE Core: Intimate knowledge of Unreal Engine’s internal rendering core systems (C++).

Recruitment Process

1. First conversation (20 min) by video call with Arthur (Recruiter) and Tushar (Lead Tech): To learn more about your experience, your expectations and Tara Gaming/Novaquark

2. Technical screening interview (30min) with Tushar (Lead Tech) & Adrien (Associate Lead Platform & Rendering Programmer): To assess your technical skills before technical interview

3. Technical interview (1h30) with George (Lead Engine Programmer) & Adrien (Associate Lead Platform & Rendering Programmer): Technical test sent 30min before the Technical interview (Q&A document, no coding test) and Technical interview (1h) to meet your future manager and to go deeper in our current context

Throughout the entire recruitment process, Arthur will ensure follow-up and coordination. Do not hesitate to send your portfolio in addition to your CV to showcase your creations!

Additional Information

  • Contract Type: Full-Time
  • Location: Paris
  • Experience: > 7 years
  • Possible full remote
  • Salary: between 65000€ and 90000€ / year