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What does a graphic engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Michelle Lockwood

Graphic engineers are professionals who are responsible for creating integrated graphics and visual effects systems used in the design and development of software applications. These engineers must collaborate with art directors and graphic designers to produce motion graphics and visuals using computer tools and software. They are required to train new production artists in using Photoshop to perform digital retouching. Graphic engineers must also use software such as OpenGL, Maya, and XNA game studios to render game lights, graphics, and effects.

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Graphic engineer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real graphic engineer resumes:

  • Manage and update all as built cad files.
  • Manage digitizer plans, develop and, coordinate and modifications to the GIS.
  • Support DOD agency needs in accomplishing engineer technical and non-technical goals associate with wireless LAN technology products.
  • Job include various other tasks from debugging software issues to developing various plugins.
  • Render game lights, graphics and effects using OpenGL, Maya and XNA game studios.
  • Streamline and preflightfinal art files for production.
  • Programme emission, outline and vertex base animation shader for rendering water.
  • Provide Linux expertise for issue regression on Nvidia and AMD graphics device drivers.
  • Used SolidWorks, a very useful design tool, numerously throughout the semester.
  • Determine defects troubleshoot malfunctions; take necessary corrective action, and record same following specific departmental procedures.
  • Facilitate evolution/formulation of product architecture.
  • Facilitate evolution/formulation of product architecture.

Graphic engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 41% of Graphic Engineers are proficient in C++, OpenGL, and Unity. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Artistic ability, and Communication skills.

We break down the percentage of Graphic Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • C++, 41%

    Implemented an interface in C++ in order to have the library communicate with the current MFC application that they were using.

  • OpenGL, 16%

    Rendered game lights, graphics and effects using OpenGL, Maya and XNA game studios.

  • Unity, 12%

    Work on Unity plugins for Android devices.

  • Debugging, 7%

    Job included various other tasks from debugging software issues to developing various plugins.

  • Animation, 6%

    Full animation using After Effects and Cinema 4D.

  • Windows, 3%

    Supported a Health Care client by designing and developing additional functionality to their existing applications using Visual Basic under Windows NT.

Common skills that a graphic engineer uses to do their job include "c++," "opengl," and "unity." You can find details on the most important graphic engineer responsibilities below.

Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a graphic engineer to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "graphic designers must be able to perceive their work from their consumers’ point of view to ensure that the designs convey the client’s message." Graphic engineers often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "create html variable data products. "

Artistic ability. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling graphic engineer duties is artistic ability. The role rewards competence in this skill because "graphic designers must be able to create designs that are artistically interesting and appealing to clients and consumers." According to a graphic engineer resume, here's how graphic engineers can utilize artistic ability in their job responsibilities: "key areas of responsibility: developed artistic and creative design concepts that support and grow the wally's brand. "

Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of graphic engineers is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday graphic engineer duties, as "graphic designers must communicate with clients, customers, and other designers to ensure that their designs accurately and effectively convey information." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "produce technical drawings for product manuals, marketing materials and other technical communication documents. "

Computer skills. graphic engineer responsibilities often require "computer skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "most graphic designers use specialized graphic design software to prepare their designs." This resume example shows what graphic engineers do with computer skills on a typical day: "use computer software to generate new images. "

Time-management skills. A commonly-found skill in graphic engineer job descriptions, "time-management skills" is essential to what graphic engineers do. Graphic engineer responsibilities rely on this skill because "graphic designers often work simultaneously on multiple projects, each with a different deadline." You can also see how graphic engineer duties rely on time-management skills in this resume example: "managed team of 4 ui developers and handled task management, task prioritization, setting deadlines and reviewing deliverables. "

Creativity. While "creativity" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to graphic engineer responsibilities. Much of what a graphic engineer does relies on this skill, seeing as "graphic designers must be able to think of new approaches to communicating ideas to consumers." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of graphic engineers: "hired crews and trained for technical/installation team, and set a system for project management, purchase/inventory and job report. "

Most common graphic engineer skills

Compare different graphic engineers

Graphic engineer vs. Design internship

As the name entails, graphic design interns learn about the career in graphic design in a hands-on setting. They have varied tasks and duties, including taking part in every meeting of the design team, conducting client research, assisting with social media and design projects, and working closely with experienced designers. They are often paid little or nothing at all for their service, but the experience that they acquire from their field can be dispensable.

The annual salary of design interns is $64,538 lower than the average salary of graphic engineers.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between graphic engineers and design interns are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like user interface, graphic design, and css.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a graphic engineer are more likely to require skills like "c++," "c #," "opengl," and "unity." On the other hand, a job as a design internship requires skills like "design intern," "sketch," "user experience," and "visualization." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Design interns really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $54,174. Comparatively, graphic engineers tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $149,307.On average, design interns reach similar levels of education than graphic engineers. Design interns are 0.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Graphic engineer vs. Production artist

A production artist is responsible for managing digital content, meeting clients' standard specifications and requests for successful project completion. Production artists must have computer proficiency, especially on utilizing various software tools and applications to create illustrations and layouts. They also work closely with the creative team, cooperating in brainstorming sessions to ensure the consistency for each assigned task. A production artist should be keen on details, adjusting outputs as needed to maintain the highest quality for the actual presentation.

Production artist positions earn lower pay than graphic engineer roles. They earn a $48,459 lower salary than graphic engineers per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Graphic engineers and production artists both require similar skills like "maya," "windows," and "mac" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that graphic engineer responsibilities requires skills like "c++," "c #," "opengl," and "unity." But a production artist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "adobe photoshop," "adobe creative suite," "adobe illustrator," and "adobe indesign."

Production artists earn similar levels of education than graphic engineers in general. They're 4.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for graphic engineers in the next 3-5 years?

Michelle LockwoodMichelle Lockwood LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, Graphic Design Art, Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

A year ago, even six months ago, we would never have expected our lives to have taken the turns they have, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In that same sense, we cannot know what obstacles we will encounter in the next year, six months, or even next week. The aspect of technology that seems most important now is software that can bring the human experience of connection into our individual and separated lives. Technology has enabled those of us in design and applied arts, to continue creating and communicating. As always has been, technology is a tool, but it is not usually the entire idea. Yes, every message is altered and influenced by the medium with which it was created. Still, those beginning in this field need to remember that their uniqueness comes from the union of what is in their mind and their heart, and how they articulate and communicate that union.

Graphic engineer vs. Web designer

A web designer is a creative professional responsible for creating and redesigning the content and layout of websites. Web designers are required to meet clients and users to discuss the needs and goals of their clients. To create graphics, colors, and fonts, web designers usually use HTML coding to alter the website's layout. Web designers must build their portfolio by taking on unique projects for themselves and the people they know.

On average, web designers earn lower salaries than graphic engineers, with a $46,487 difference per year.graphic engineers and web designers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "c #," "windows," and "user interface," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from graphic engineer resumes include skills like "c++," "opengl," "unity," and "debugging," whereas a web designer is more likely to list skills in "wordpress," "html css," "javascript," and "ui. "

Web designers earn the best pay in the internet industry, where they command an average salary of $81,039. Graphic engineers earn the highest pay from the finance industry, with an average salary of $149,307.Most web designers achieve a similar degree level compared to graphic engineers. For example, they're 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Graphic engineer vs. Senior designer

Senior designers are typically in charge of realizing design solutions that adhere to the business goals and marketing strategies of an organization. They should be comfortable managing graphics designers and making decisions. They must have extensive knowledge of styles, layout techniques, and graphic design while also managing projects and people effectively. Senior designers have a variety of duties, which include delegating tasks to junior designers, maintaining high-quality standards, and collaborating to improve digital creativity standards.

Senior designers typically earn lower pay than graphic engineers. On average, senior designers earn a $8,271 lower salary per year.While their salaries may vary, graphic engineers and senior designers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "animation," "user interface," and "unix. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A graphic engineer uses "c++," "c #," "opengl," and "unity." Senior designers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "sketch," "human centered design," "user experience," and "ui. "senior designers enjoy the best pay in the media industry, with an average salary of $105,282. For comparison, graphic engineers earn the highest salary in the finance industry.senior designers reach similar levels of education compared to graphic engineers, in general. The difference is that they're 1.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of graphic engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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