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Associate Game Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Summary: Northern Lights Drone Shows is seeking a Drone Show Designer that's excited to bring ... Associate degree or equivalent coursework in computer science, engineering, game design/animation ...

We do not play games of politics, hierarchy or ego. We have a spirited competitive environment ... Associate's or Bachelor's degree in design or art 1-4 years of professional design experience Work ...

Working within game designers to brainstorm new game ideas. * Creatively balancing the games to provide good gameplay experiences, to create profitable and successful slots and to analyze ...

We do not play games of politics, hierarchy or ego. We have a spirited competitive environment ... Associate's or Bachelor's degree in design or art 1-4 years of professional design experience Work ...

Working within game designers to brainstorm new game ideas. * Creatively balancing the games to provide good gameplay experiences, to create profitable and successful slots and to analyze ...

Senior Designer

Aiken, SC · On-site

$86K - $92K/yr

... beyond gaming is a well-funded, experienced small business, with substantial liquid assets and ... A combination of education and ten (10) years of experience (associate degree preferred) in ...

Work in a collaborative small team environment with a group of exceptionally talented artists, animators, software engineers, and game designers to provide the best gaming experience for the slot ...

Work in a collaborative small team environment with a group of exceptionally talented artists, animators, software engineers, and game designers to provide the best gaming experience for the slot ...

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Associate Game Designer information

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$19.5K

$58.6K

$87.5K

How much do associate game designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate game designer in the United States is $58,560.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,500.00 and $68,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the 3 C's of game design?

The 3 C's of game design are Character, Conflict, and Context. These elements help create engaging gameplay by developing relatable characters, meaningful challenges, and a coherent world. As an associate game designer, understanding these principles aids in designing compelling game experiences.

What does a typical day look like for an Associate Game Designer?

A typical day for an Associate Game Designer involves collaborating with senior designers and artists to develop and refine gameplay mechanics, creating and iterating on levels or features, and documenting design specifications. You might attend team meetings, playtest early builds, and gather feedback to improve the player experience. The environment is usually highly collaborative, and you'll often coordinate with programmers, artists, and QA testers to bring game concepts to life. This diverse range of tasks helps you develop a deep understanding of game development while building a strong foundation for future career growth.

What does an Associate Game Designer do?

An Associate Game Designer assists in creating game mechanics, levels, and user experiences under the guidance of senior designers. They collaborate with artists, programmers, and producers to implement and refine gameplay elements. Their responsibilities may include documentation, playtesting, data analysis, and balancing game systems. This role is often an entry-level position, providing hands-on experience in game development processes. Strong communication, creativity, and problem-solving skills are essential for success in this role.

How much does an AAA game designer make?

An AAA game designer typically earns between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the company's size. Senior designers or those with specialized skills may earn higher salaries, especially at major studios working on large-scale projects.

Is game design math heavy?

As an associate game designer, math skills are useful but not typically the primary focus of the role. Basic understanding of math concepts such as probability, statistics, and geometry can help in designing game mechanics and balancing, but most tasks rely on creativity, problem-solving, and software tools like spreadsheets and game engines. Advanced math is more common in specialized roles like gameplay programmers or technical designers.

What does an associate game designer do?

An associate game designer supports the development of video games by assisting with level design, gameplay mechanics, and documentation. They often collaborate with senior designers, use design tools, and contribute to creating engaging player experiences under supervision.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Associate Game Designer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Game Designer, you need a solid grasp of game mechanics, level design, storytelling, and a relevant educational background such as a bachelor’s degree in game design or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard tools like Unity, Unreal Engine, version control systems, and knowledge of scripting languages is highly valuable. Strong communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills set successful candidates apart in collaborative development environments. These combined abilities ensure that you can effectively contribute to the creative vision and technical execution of game projects.

More about Associate Game Designer jobs
What cities are hiring for Associate Game Designer jobs? Cities with the most Associate Game Designer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Game Designer jobs? The most popular types of Game Designer jobs are:
What states have the most Associate Game Designer jobs? States with the most job openings for Associate Game Designer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Associate Game Designer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Game Designer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Associate Game Designer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 8% Full Time, 86% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,560 per year, or $28.2 per hour.

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Create, animate, and modify vector images to build entertaining and engaging drone shows using a computer.

  • Curate music to create an accompanying soundtrack for each show.

  • Communicate professionally with clients to meet their demands and preferences within deadline expectations.


Job description

Summary:

Northern Lights Drone Shows is seeking a Drone Show Designer that’s excited to bring captivating visual spectacles to audiences across the nation. We are a rapidly growing business that offers one of the few drone shows on demand in the United States with clients located across the country. Come be a part of a growing company providing unique experiences with trailblazing innovations in the entertainment industry, that combine creativity and technology to create something extraordinary.

The Drone Show Designer will be responsible for planning, designing, and producing drone shows for specific clients: create moving vector images that will be synched to music to display a breathtaking experience in the sky. IT experience is not mandatory but computer literacy and art/design knowledge is required.

For your application to be considered a portfolio and/or examples of work must be submitted along with your resume.

Duties:

Create, animate, and modify vector images to build entertaining and engaging drone shows using a computer. This position will be taking client information (including logos) and creating a show using the computer software (Verge Aero Design Studio). Training on the software will be provided by us (Northern Lights Drone Shows).

Familiarity with Verge Aero Design studio software is not required (but a plus). Experience with other design software is required.

Curate music to create an accompanying soundtrack for each show.

Interest/Experience with drones is not required, but preferred.

Communicate professionally with clients to meet their demands/preferences within deadline expectations.

Pay Rate:

Pay will be hourly, depending on experience and qualifications.

Full-time hours can be offered. Spring/summer/fall time periods are the busiest with possible flexible hours during the school year.

Software Familiarity:

2D vector creation (Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Inkscape)

3D modelling or drafting (Blender, Autodesk Maya/CAD, etc.)

Audio/video editing (Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, Davinci Resolve, Sony Vegas Pro, Audacity)

Game design and development (Not required, but useful), (Unity, Unreal, Godot)


Qualifications:

Technical Skills: Proficiency with a computer and using design software to create digital media

Ability to create optimized 2D vector images

Knowledge of animation/motion design principles

Ability to cut and edit audio and video together seamlessly

Responsibility: Manage projects with limited supervision and complete assignments by set deadlines.

Communication: Understand clients’ wants, needs, and issues by asking appropriate questions for clarification.

Determination: Possess superior problem-solving capabilities, and a high focus on quality and customer satisfaction. Willingness to push the boundaries of the design software.

Growth: Eager to learn and improve based on feedback and critique.

Preferred Qualifications:

Associate degree or equivalent coursework in computer science, engineering, game design/animation or information science.

Experience in computer design, equivalent combination of education and experience.

Education:

  • Experience in computer design, equivalent combination of education and experience preferred

  • This is an on-site position based in Caledonia, Wisconsin. No remote work possible for this position.