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3D Game Engine Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

View Engine Developer..

Auburn Hills, MI · On-site

$17.75 - $24.25/hr

The View Engine Development Engineer is responsible for designing and implementing advanced view ... Expertise in 2D and 3D transformations and image processing. * Proficiency in camera math models (e ...

Art Director

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

Evening Star is looking for an Art Director to help us create our new 3D game! As a member of our ... Engineering to establish asset pipelines and process with Evening Star's proprietary engine, the ...

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3d Game Engine Developer information

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$32.5K

$108.5K

$180K

How much do 3d game engine developer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for 3d game engine developer in the United States is $108,471.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,500.00 and $124,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a 3d game engine developer do?

A 3D Game Engine Developer is responsible for creating and maintaining the core software that powers 3D video games. They work on developing rendering engines, physics simulations, audio systems, and tools that allow game designers and artists to build immersive game worlds. These developers often use programming languages like C++ or C#, and they optimize the engine for performance, compatibility, and scalability across different platforms. Their work enables game studios to create visually stunning and interactive experiences efficiently.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a 3d game engine developer?

To thrive as a 3D Game Engine Developer, you need strong programming skills in languages like C++ or C#, a solid understanding of computer graphics, mathematics, and experience with game development frameworks. Familiarity with engines such as Unreal Engine or Unity, version control systems, and possibly certifications in game development are also valuable. Creative problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication are important soft skills in this field. These skills ensure the creation of robust, efficient, and innovative game engines that support complex interactive experiences and facilitate collaboration within development teams.

What are some common challenges 3d game engine developers face when working on cross-platform compatibility?

3D Game Engine Developers often encounter challenges when ensuring their engines perform consistently across various platforms, such as PC, consoles, and mobile devices. Differences in hardware capabilities, graphics APIs, and input methods can lead to bugs, performance bottlenecks, and visual inconsistencies. Developers need to write modular, adaptable code and frequently test on multiple devices to maintain quality. Effective collaboration with QA teams and platform specialists is essential to address these issues early and efficiently.

What is the difference between 3D Game Engine Developer vs 3D Graphics Programmer?

Aspect3D Game Engine Developer3D Graphics Programmer
Primary FocusDeveloping and optimizing game engines and toolsCreating and implementing graphics rendering techniques
Work EnvironmentGame studios, engine development companiesGraphics technology firms, game studios, research labs
Required SkillsProgramming, engine architecture, physics, optimizationGraphics algorithms, shader programming, rendering techniques

While both roles involve advanced programming skills, 3D Game Engine Developers focus on building and maintaining the core engine used in games, whereas 3D Graphics Programmers specialize in rendering techniques and visual effects. Both roles often collaborate but serve different aspects of game development and graphics technology.

What are popular job titles related to 3D Game Engine Developer jobs?

For 3D Game Engine Developer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various 3D Game Engine Developer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,471 per year, or $52.1 per hour.

Principal Game Engine Engineer, Platform

Redmond, WA • On-site

$150 - $200/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 21 days ago


Job description

Worldscape is seeking an experienced Principal Game Engine Engineer to join our fast‑moving, innovative Platform team. The Principal Game Engine Engineer will participate in the design, implementation, and optimization of the real‑time physics systems that underpin the simulation in our applications. You will architect scalable physics solutions, integrate tightly with the data fabric, animation, and rendering pipelines, and drive innovation in physics‑led simulation techniques to deliver responsive interactions across vehicles, environments, and all other simulation assets. As a Principal Engineer you will set technical directions, mentor engineers, and partner with Platform and Product Management to turn creative vision into performant, shippable features and customer applications.

This is an onsite role located in Redmond, WA.

Key Attributes
  • Innovation Mindset: Passion for pushing the boundaries of real‑time physics in interactive simulation.
  • Leadership & Mentorship: Ability to guide developers, set technical direction for an area, and enforce best practices.
  • Problem‑Solving: Creative and analytical approach to complex simulation challenges.
  • Communication: Clear articulation of technical concepts to non‑technical stakeholders.
Responsibilities
  • Own the physics architecture: Define data models, simulation loops, solver strategies, and integration points across engine and simulation systems.
  • Deliver core physics features: Collision detection (broad‑phase/narrow‑phase), entity controllers, vehicle dynamics with an emphasis on orbital mechanics, particles/fluid mechanics (with an emphasis on atmospheric dynamics).
  • Integrate with simulation logic (gameplay) & animation: Build physics‑driven interactions, authoring tools, and runtime hooks (e.g., inverse kinematics, state machines, event systems).
  • Performance ownership: Profile, optimize, and budget frame time and memory across platforms; lead multi‑threading/Job System/SIMD efforts; evaluate GPU compute opportunities.
  • Stability & robustness: Establish test suites, golden scenarios, and verification and validation practices; reduce edge‑case instability (stacking, tunneling, jitter, constraint drift).
  • Tooling & workflow: Build/debug tools, visualizers, probes, and authoring pipelines that accelerate designer iteration and QA efficiency.
  • Cross‑functional leadership: Partner with back‑end, AI, data pipeline, and platform teams; communicate constraints/trade‑offs; align milestones with production.
  • Mentorship & standards: Guide engineers via reviews, design docs, and coding standards; cultivate a high bar for craft, documentation, and reproducibility.
  • Quality & live support: Own crash triage and regression control for physics; support content changes post‑launch without destabilizing the simulation.
Professional Qualifications
  • Education: BS/MS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Physics, Mathematics (or equivalent practical experience).
  • Experience: 10+ years in real‑time/game physics engineering; 2+ shipped titles with substantial physics ownership (AA/AAA preferred).
  • Programming: Expert C++ (modern standards), data‑oriented design, memory management, profiling/debugging (VTune, PIX, Nsight, RenderDoc, etc.).
  • Rigid‑body dynamics, collision detection (GJK, SAT, continuous collision detection/TOI), integration schemes (semi‑implicit Euler, RK, constraint solvers).
  • Numerical stability, error control, and performance trade‑offs under real‑time constraints.
  • Engine integration: Experience integrating physics with animation (animation blending, IK), gameplay systems, and rendering pipelines.
  • Performance: Multi‑threading/job systems, SIMD/vectorization, cache‑friendly data structures, frame/memory budgeting across platforms.
  • Collaboration: Proven ability to lead cross‑disciplinary efforts and communicate complex technical topics clearly.
Preferred Qualifications
  • 15+ years’ experience in Modern Game Engines & Middleware: Unreal Engine (Chaos), Unity (DOTS/Physics), Havok, Bullet, PhysX; custom engine experience strongly preferred.
  • 10+ years’ experience in Advanced Simulation: Fracture systems, granular materials, vehicle tire models, buoyancy/aero effects; GPU compute (CUDA, compute shaders).
  • Experience with existing physics models and systems integration.
  • Networking: Deterministic simulation strategies, rollback/prediction, server authority models, cross‑platform latency mitigation.
  • Console/Platform: Shipping experience on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC; familiarity with platform TRCs/TCRs and performance certification.
  • Tooling & Scripting: Python/C#/Lua for tools and editor extensions; in‑engine visualization/debugging overlays.
  • Optimization Expertise: Broad‑phase structures (sweep‑and‑prune, BVH), island building, sleeping strategies, CCD tunneling avoidance; job scheduling and affinity tuning.
  • Content Pipelines: Collaboration with design/tech art to create authoring guidelines for physics assets; LOD strategies for physics complexity.
Compensation

$160,000 - $200,000 a year

Final compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, and qualifications. In addition to base salary, this role may be eligible for performance‑based bonuses and equity awards.

Benefits
  • Competitive salary and meaningful equity
  • Attractive benefits package
  • Flexible time off policy
  • Medical, Dental and Vision insurance
  • HSA health insurance options
  • 401k plan
  • Basic and Voluntary Life Insurance
  • Fast‑paced environment with flexibility and ownership

Worldscape is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, race, religion, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

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