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Assistant Indie Game Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Weekday AI

Game Developer - Cocos2d-x

$50 - $120/hr

In this position, you will utilize your expertise to assist in training the next generation of AI ... Develop realistic Cocos2d-x tasks encompassing sprite management, animations, physics, UI, and game ...

DevSelect

Game Solution Engineer

Seattle, WA

... assist with a wide variety of technical challenges. When the game team comes to you with a ... Gather feedback from our game developer partners and help improve our processes and documentation.

DevSelect

Game Solution Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

... assist with a wide variety of technical challenges. When the game team comes to you with a ... Gather feedback from our game developer partners and help improve our processes and documentation.

DevSelect

Unity Game Solutions Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

... assist our game teams with a wide variety of technical challenges. When a game team comes to you ... Gather feedback from our game developer partners and help improve our processes and documentation.

DevSelect

Unity Game Solutions Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

... assist our game teams with a wide variety of technical challenges. When a game team comes to you ... Gather feedback from our game developer partners and help improve our processes and documentation.

INVIZ

Community Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

You've worked at an indie game studio, animation collective, or startup where creators, fans, and ... Manage relationships with our alliance network of creators - from indie animators to UGC developers

INVIZ

Community Manager

Santa Monica, CA

$70K - $80K/yr

You've worked at an indie game studio, animation collective, or startup where creators, fans, and ... UGC developers * Collaborate with the marketing and content teams on YouTube rollouts and go-to ...

Templar Media

Game Producer

Alpharetta, GA · On-site

$121.10K - $123K/yr

About Us As an independent developer and publisher, Templar develops the games that we want, on our ... Mentor junior producers or production assistants when needed * Contribute to post-launch support ...

Triiodide Studios

Gameplay Programmer (Unreal)

Boston, MA · On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

... * Assist in tracking down and patching bugs reported by users or identified through internal testing What You'll Bring * 3+ years of industry experience as a game developer or relevant software ...

Humble Bundle

In this role, you will initiate and close deals with top video game developers and publishers ... indie and AAA sectors. * Strategic Insight: Find new tactics to build the most appealing products ...

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Assistant Indie Game Developer information

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How much do assistant indie game developer jobs pay per hour?

As of May 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for assistant indie game developer in the United States is $24.74, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.99 and $26.92 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Assistant Indie Game Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant Indie Game Developer, you need a solid understanding of game design principles, basic programming skills (often in C# or Unity), and familiarity with digital art or sound design. Experience with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, as well as version control systems such as Git, is typically required. Creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities are crucial soft skills that help you contribute effectively to small, collaborative teams. These competencies enable you to support the development process efficiently, adapt to changing project needs, and help deliver engaging indie games.

How does an Assistant Indie Game Developer typically collaborate with other team members during a game project?

As an Assistant Indie Game Developer, you’ll often work closely with a small, multidisciplinary team, collaborating with artists, designers, programmers, and sometimes sound engineers. Your role may involve supporting the main developers by fixing bugs, implementing gameplay features, or prototyping new mechanics based on team feedback. Communication is highly valued, as frequent check-ins and brainstorming sessions help keep everyone aligned and ensure that creative ideas are integrated smoothly. Due to the collaborative nature of indie projects, you can expect a hands-on, dynamic environment where your contributions directly impact the game's final outcome.

What is an Assistant Indie Game Developer?

An Assistant Indie Game Developer is a professional who supports the creation and development of independent video games. They typically work with small teams or solo developers, contributing to various aspects such as programming, art, design, or testing. Their responsibilities can range from implementing game features and fixing bugs to creating assets and assisting with project management. This role is essential for indie projects, where team members often wear multiple hats and collaborate closely. Assistant Indie Game Developers help bring creative game ideas to life while learning a broad set of industry skills.
What cities are hiring for Assistant Indie Game Developer jobs? Cities with the most Assistant Indie Game Developer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Indie Game Developer jobs? The most popular types of Indie Game Developer jobs are:
What states have the most Assistant Indie Game Developer jobs? States with the most job openings for Assistant Indie Game Developer jobs include:
Assistant Indie Game Developer jobs near you
Principal Game Developer

Principal Game Developer

Exploding Kittens

Los Angeles, CA

$120K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago

Job description

The Principal Game Developer is a senior leader at Exploding Kittens who plays a key role in shaping the games we bring to life. In this role, you'll make final game development decisions, guiding concepts from idea to finished product while ensuring every game meets our high bar for clarity, innovation, delight, and replayability.

You have a deep love for game mechanics, especially mass-market party games, and a strong instinct for what makes a game truly fun. You combine experience, sharp taste, and playtest-driven insights to refine gameplay and elevate every product you touch. You'll also mentor and influence other designers and developers, helping raise the bar across the team.

If you're someone who thinks about games constantly (in a good way), obsesses over what makes people laugh, connect, and come back for more, and loves turning great ideas into unforgettable experiences, you'll fit right in.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

  • Serve as gameplay authority - making final calls on mechanics, balance, and player experience.

  • Refine games to ensure strong audience fit across family, adult, and kids categories.

  • Lead playtesting process and analyze and synthesize playtest footage into clear development direction. 

  • Creatively solve complex gameplay challenges, always keeping the player top of mind.

  • Evaluate inventor submissions and contribute to greenlight and portfolio decisions.

  • Write and/or refine instruction manuals to ensure clarity, accessibility, and brand/tone alignment.

  • Mentor designers and developers, implementing and raising product standards and best practices across the team.

  • Collaborate cross-functionally with the rest of Creative Operations, Production & Sourcing, and key stakeholders to bring outstanding, innovative, and disruptive games to shelf.

WHAT WE NEED:

  • 10+ years of tabletop game design/development experience or equivalent expertise.

  • Proven track record of developing successful and commercially viable mass retail party games.

  • Deep understanding of mass retail party games, game mechanics, player psychology, rules balance, and replayability.

  • Extensive experience running, observing, and analyzing playtests.

  • Strong ability to diagnose gameplay issues and implement effective solutions.

  • Excellent writing and editing skills, especially for rules, instruction manuals, and "how to play" videos.

  • Demonstrated ability to mentor and elevate other designers.

  • Exceptional taste, strong judgment, and a sustained focus on the audience experience.

$120,000 - $140,000 a year
This salary represents a range for the position and will ultimately depend on the individual's qualifications and years of experience, location, and is subject to change.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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