> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/4387564-phd-intern-software-engineer-graphics-2027](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/4387564-phd-intern-software-engineer-graphics-2027). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # PhD Intern, Software Engineer - Graphics (2027) - **Company:** Figma, Inc. - **Location:** New York, NY, United States - **Experience:** Internship - **Salary:** $153,920 - **Contract:** Internship / Graduate position - **Skills:** Computer Animation, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Artificial Intelligence, Aliasing, C++ (Programming Language), Software Code Optimization, Computer Graphics, Software Debugging, OpenGL Shading Language, Vector Graphics, OpenGL, Performance Tuning, Computational Geometry, Screen Reader, WebGL, GitHub Copilot, Figma, Claude, GPT - **Published:** October 18, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.dice.com/job-detail/45df9fb5-6482-4b51-910c-edfbb1f3d57d ## About the Role * Current enrollment as a 4th or 5th year senior PhD student pursuing a PhD in Computer Graphics, Media Processing, or a related field * Experience working with OpenGL, WebGL, WebGPU, Vulkan or Metal and their respective shader languages (GLSL, WGSL) or other low-level graphics APIs * Proficiency in either C++ or Rust * A track record of rigorous problem-solving through academic or applied research, with experience thinking holistically about use cases and the low-level technology required While it's not required, it's an added plus if you also have: * Demonstrated expertise in computer graphics, supported by publications at conferences such as SIGGRAPH, Eurographics, High Performance Graphics, NVIDIA GTC, or Pacific Graphics * Proficiency in WebAssembly, web graphics, 2D graphics, performance optimization, animation, geometry, or media * Interest in art and design applications * Experience using AI tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude) to write, debug, and optimize code * Related industry experience via a past internship or full-time role * Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated experience collaborating across functions ## Description The R&A team is devoted to hiring individuals with graphics expertise. We are interested in a variety of sub-domains, including 2D GPU-driven rendering, computational geometry & vector graphics, animation frameworks, anti-aliasing algorithms, shader effects, and more recently branching into video/image processing. A PhD Intern specializing in any of these areas would be a phenomenal fit for the team with a lot of exciting projects available. As an intern on our team, you'll take ownership of a high-impact project at the intersection of your technical strengths and our most pressing graphics, rendering, or media challenges. You'll work closely with your intern manager, team leads, and collaborators across 1-2 partner teams to deliver tangible results within your internship. This is an opportunity to do significant, portfolio-worthy work that directly supplies Figma's visual platform. This is a 12 or 16-week internship role that can be held from one of our US hubs (San Francisco or New York) starting in May or June of 2027. What you'll do at Figma: * Learn from industry graphics engineers and participate as an embedded team member of the Rendering & Animation team * Collaborate with engineers, PMs, designers, and researchers to scope and execute your work * Develop, validate, and document solutions from prototypes to production-ready systems * Drive projects that apply research insights to meaningful product challenges * Contribute to exciting domain areas; some examples: crafting and optimizing shaders for sophisticated effects, investigating improvements to anti-aliasing algorithms, improving media processing capabilities, animating spline interpolation, and more!, * Holding interviews in an accessible location * Enabling closed captioning on video conferencing * Ensuring all written communication be compatible with screen readers * Changing the mode or format of interviews To ensure the integrity of our hiring process and facilitate a more personal connection, we require all candidates keep their cameras on during video interviews. Additionally, if hired you will be required to attend in person onboarding.