Engine & SDK Tech Lead San Jose Regular

Join us as we work together to inspire creativity and enrich life around the globe.

The PICO Developer Technology team is at the forefront of XR innovation, building next-generation developer-facing technologies that push the boundaries of what is possible in spatial computing. We work on all aspects of the software stack — from low-level runtime systems and game engine integrations to developer SDKs that empower creators to build the most immersive XR & Spatial applications. If you are passionate about shaping the future of interactive 3D graphics and want to work on cutting-edge technology that reaches millions, this is your playground.

We are seeking a visionary technical leader with deep expertise in game engines, real-time 3D graphics, and SDK architecture to drive innovation in XR. This is not a maintenance role — you will explore, research, and build the next generation of graphics and developer technologies that define the future of spatial computing. You will work at the intersection of game engine architecture, advanced rendering, and XR runtime systems, pushing the limits of what is possible on mobile XR hardware.

• Lead the technical vision and architecture for next-generation game engine, graphics, and SDK features in XR
• Drive cutting-edge graphics research and innovation — advanced rendering techniques, performance optimizations, and novel XR-specific rendering pipelines
• Architect and evolve developer SDKs that enable external creators to build best-in-class XR experiences
• Collaborate with OS, Engine, Product, and Hardware teams to deliver seamless end-to-end XR experiences, with obsessive focus on performance, latency, and visual quality
• Explore and prototype emerging technologies — ray tracing, foveated rendering, neural graphics, eye/face tracking integration, and beyond
• Mentor and grow a team of strong graphics and engine engineers, setting technical direction and raising the bar

• Hands-on experience in game engine development, 3D graphics, or rendering systems, with a proven track record of shipping high-performance graphics features
• Deep expertise in modern rendering pipelines, shader programming (HLSL/GLSL/SPIR-V), and graphics APIs (Vulkan, Direct3D, Metal, or OpenGL ES)
• Advanced proficiency in C/C++ and low-level systems programming, with a strong sense of performance and memory
• Strong foundational knowledge of game engine architecture — rendering, physics, input, animation, and asset pipelines
• Solid understanding of modern mobile or console graphics pipelines and hardware constraints

• Experience designing and building developer-facing SDKs, APIs, or frameworks
• Prior experience in AR/VR/MR development, XR runtime infrastructure, or spatial computing
• Expertise in advanced rendering techniques: 3
  
  DGS, neural rendering, real-time ray tracing
• Background in game engine development (Unreal, Unity, or custom engines), especially in graphics or low-latency input pipelines
• Experience with compute shaders, GPU-driven rendering, or heterogeneous computing
• Familiarity with native Android development, including Android Services, IPC, and NDK
• Open-source contributions or published work in graphics, engines, or related fields

Founded in 2012, Byte Dance's mission is to inspire creativity and enrich life. With a suite of more than a dozen products, including Tik Tok, Lemon8, Cap Cut and Pico as well as platforms specific to the China market, including Toutiao, Douyin, and Xigua, Byte Dance has made it easier and more fun for people to connect with, consume, and create content.

Inspiring creativity is at the core of Byte Dance's mission. Our innovative products are built to help people authentically express themselves, discover and connect – and our global, diverse teams make that possible. Together, we create value for our communities, inspire creativity and enrich life - a mission we work towards every day.

As Byte Dancers, we strive to do great things with great people. We lead with curiosity, humility, and a desire to make impact in a rapidly growing tech company. By constantly…