Software Development Engineer (contract)

Software Development Engineer (Contract)

Please note that this is a contract role providing services to Microsoft through external staffing partners of Allegis Global Solutions. If you are selected for this role, you will be employed by AGS and will not be an employee of Microsoft.

Summary

This position offers an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of graphics performance and systems analysis, focusing on diagnosing and triaging complex performance issues in modern gaming applications. The role centers on collecting and analyzing detailed GPU and CPU traces to identify bottlenecks across different graphics stacks, with particular emphasis on comparing Windows and Linux implementations. Working closely with graphics driver and runtime engineers, you will be responsible for reproducing performance issues, capturing comprehensive profiles using industry-standard tools, and delivering clear, actionable findings that drive performance improvements. This is a hands-on technical role that requires deep understanding of real-time rendering, GPU architecture, and performance analysis methodologies to help optimize the gaming experience for millions of users.

Job Responsibilities
• Reproduce reported DirectX 12 performance issues from data produced by testing lab environments
• Capture GPU and CPU profiles and traces using tools such as PIX timing captures, GPUView/ETW, and vendor profilers to identify bottlenecks including GPU-bound versus CPU-bound issues, synchronization problems, shader occupancy, and pipelining concerns
• Analyze traces and performance counters to isolate likely root causes and propose actionable next steps for resolution
• Create clear performance write-ups with reproduction steps, captures, metrics, and concise summaries of suspected hotspots
• Partner with graphics driver and runtime engineers to validate hypotheses, test fixes, and confirm performance improvements and regressions
• Compare performance differences between Windows and Linux graphics stacks including runtime, drivers, and compilers
• Communicate findings and recommended next steps clearly to technical stakeholders

Requirements
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or relevant field
• 2-4 years of relevant experience in graphics performance analysis or related field
• Understanding of real-time rendering fundamentals and the GPU graphics pipeline including draw calls, state changes, shaders, textures, and buffers
• Understanding of GPU architecture basics including waves/warps, occupancy, caches, and memory bandwidth, along with shader ISA at a high level
• DirectX 12 familiarity with core concepts such as command queues/lists, descriptor heaps, and resource states/barriers
• Basic shader concepts in HLSL and SPIRV
• Hands-on experience with profiling tools including PIX, Radeon GPU Profiler, GPUView, and WPA/WPR, with ability to interpret timing and counter data
• Programming skills in C/C++ with ability to read and reason about performance-sensitive code
• Comfortable working in Windows environments including command line basics and driver/runtime builds
• Strong written communication skills for bug reports and triage summaries
• Comfortable working in Linux including shell, services, and basic scripting
• Scripting for automation using Python, PowerShell, or Bash
• Basic data analysis capabilities with CSV files, spreadsheets, and simple plots
• Exposure to Windows graphics stack and debugging concepts including WDDM, DXGI, ETW providers, and driver symbol debugging

Additional Details
• Location: Remote
• Duration: 6 months
• Pay Range*: $46.50 - $53
• Weekly Schedule: 40 hours
• Job Status: Non-Exempt
• Application Deadline: Apply within 72 hours of the posting date to ensure consideration.

This Role Is Eligible For The Following Benefits
• Medical, dental & vision
• Hospital plans
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Company paid Basic Life and AD&D as well as voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Company paid short and long-term disability
• Health & Dependent Care Spending Accounts (HSA & DCFSA)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave(PTO, Allegis Group Paid Family Leave, Parental Leave

Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms.

AGS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email accommodation@allegisglobalsolutions.com for other accommodation options.

In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, employment is contingent upon verification of identity and authorization to work in the United States. All persons hired will be required to complete Form I-9 and provide acceptable documentation as required by law.

Please note that we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen, assess, or select applicants for this position. These tools may analyze application materials and assist our team in identifying candidates whose qualifications best match the requirements of the role. If you have questions about our use of AI in the hiring process, or would like more information, please contact us.
• We reserve the right to pay above or below the posted wage based on factors unrelated to protected classifications.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.