ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Associate Gameplay Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Scopely

Engineer

Culver City, CA · On-site +1

For this position, we are open to applications from candidates ranging from Associate to Senior ... We are a global team of game lovers who are developing, publishing and innovating the mobile games ...

Scientific Games

Senior Quality Control Engineer

Alpharetta, GA · On-site

$86.40K - $117.20K/yr

Mentor new Associate SQC Engineers on assigned projects. * Networks with internal and external personnel within the Central Gaming System. * Normally receive little instruction on day-to-day work ...

Scientific Games

Senior Quality Control Engineer

Alpharetta, GA · On-site

$86.40K - $117.20K/yr

Mentor new Associate SQC Engineers on assigned projects. * Networks with internal and external personnel within the Central Gaming System. * Normally receive little instruction on day-to-day work ...

Scientific Games

Network Engineer

Columbus, OH · On-site

$90K/yr

Scientific Games: Scientific Games is the global leader in lottery games, sports betting and ... Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) * Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security ...

Scientific Games

Network Engineer

Columbus, OH

$90K/yr

Scientific Games: Scientific Games is the global leader in lottery games, sports betting and ... Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) * Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security ...

Scopely

Engineer

Culver City, CA · On-site

$107.50K - $212K/yr

For this position, we are open to applications from candidates ranging from Associate to Senior ... We are a global team of game lovers who are developing, publishing and innovating the mobile games ...

TRC Companies, Inc.

Associate Engineer

Scranton, PA · On-site

$67.02K - $73K/yr

Game changer. Pioneer. TRC has consistently set the standard for clients needing more than just ... Overview TRC is seeking an Associate Engineer within our Planning, Permitting, and Licensing ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

People also search for

All JobsAssociate Gameplay Engineer Jobs

Associate Gameplay Engineer information

See salary details

$81K

$145.4K

$205K

How much do associate gameplay engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate gameplay engineer in the United States is $145,359.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $116,000.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Associate Gameplay Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Gameplay Engineer, you need a solid grasp of programming languages such as C++ or C#, a degree in computer science or related field, and a passion for game development. Familiarity with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine and version control systems such as Git is typically required. Strong problem-solving ability, teamwork, and effective communication help you collaborate with designers and other engineers. These skills are crucial for creating engaging gameplay experiences and ensuring smooth integration of features within game projects.

What types of projects and tasks can an Associate Gameplay Engineer expect to work on within a game development team?

As an Associate Gameplay Engineer, you will typically be involved in implementing and refining gameplay features, such as player controls, game mechanics, and interactive elements under the guidance of senior engineers and designers. Your daily responsibilities may include writing code for character actions, prototyping new gameplay systems, and collaborating with artists and designers to ensure features are both functional and engaging. You'll often participate in team meetings to discuss progress, troubleshoot bugs, and iterate on feedback. This role provides an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience with game engines and development tools, laying the foundation for advancement into more senior engineering roles.

What are Associate Gameplay Engineers?

Associate Gameplay Engineers are entry-level software developers who work on implementing and refining the interactive elements of a video game. They collaborate with designers, artists, and senior engineers to create gameplay features, mechanics, and systems that make games engaging and fun. Their responsibilities often include coding, debugging, and optimizing game logic under the guidance of more experienced team members. This role typically requires a solid foundation in programming (often C++ or C#), problem-solving skills, and a passion for gaming.

What is the difference between Associate Gameplay Engineer vs Gameplay Programmer?

AspectAssociate Gameplay EngineerGameplay Programmer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science or related field; some experience or internshipBachelor's or higher in Computer Science; more experience often preferred
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, collaborative teams within game development studiosMid-level to senior teams, often with more complex project responsibilities
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across gaming companies for entry rolesCommonly used for experienced roles but also for mid-level positions
Comparison Search IntentYesYes

The main difference between an Associate Gameplay Engineer and a Gameplay Programmer lies in experience and responsibility level. The Associate role is typically entry-level, focusing on learning and supporting gameplay features, while the Gameplay Programmer often has more experience and handles more complex tasks. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and are used across gaming studios, but the Gameplay Programmer usually takes on more advanced responsibilities.

More about Associate Gameplay Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Associate Gameplay Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Associate Gameplay Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Gameplay Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Gameplay Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Associate Gameplay Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Associate Gameplay Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Associate Gameplay Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Gameplay Engineer jobs are:
Associate Gameplay Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Gameplay Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 64% Full Time, 35% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 20% Physical, and 80% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $145,359 per year, or $69.9 per hour.
Associate Lead Database Engineer

Associate Lead Database Engineer

Rockstar Games

Manhattan, NY • On-site

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

At Rockstar Games, we create world-class entertainment experiences.
Become part of a team working on some of the most rewarding, large-scale creative projects to be found in any entertainment medium - all within an inclusive, highly-motivated environment where you can learn and collaborate with some of the most talented people in the industry.
Rockstar is on the lookout for a passionate Associate Lead Microsoft Database Engineer who will provide technical leadership, guide database best practices, and drive operational excellence across our global SQL Server environment.
This is a full-time, in-office position based out of Rockstar's NYC headquarters in Downtown Manhattan.
WHAT WE DO
  • The Rockstar Games Online Services Database Operations Team is a development group, passionate about growing and maintaining the technology platform that powers Rockstar's online titles and our ability to deliver outstanding player experiences.
  • The Rockstar Database team provides development and operational support for critical platforms and services.
RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Lead and mentor a team of SQL Server Database Engineers, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.
  • Oversee the health, performance, and availability of enterprise-scale SQL Server environments.
  • Architect, implement, and maintain HA/DR solutions using Always On, clustering, and multi-data center best practices.
  • Drive automation of routine operational tasks to improve team efficiency and reduce manual intervention.
  • Review and tune queries, indexes, and server configurations to maximize throughput and minimize latency.
  • Collaborate with developers to review database code, schema designs, and deployment pipelines.
  • Audit server health, error logs, and system performance to proactively address potential issues.
  • Own and maintain detailed documentation for standards, processes, and runbooks.
  • Partner with leadership to plan roadmaps, prioritize initiatives, and align database operations with business needs.
  • Participate in the 24/7 on-call rotation, providing guidance and support for critical incidents.
REQUIREMENTS
  • 10+ years of experience with Microsoft SQL Server administration and development.
  • Proven experience leading or mentoring Database Engineer in enterprise environments.
  • Expert understanding of SQL Server internals, performance tuning, and troubleshooting.
  • Experience with HA/DR design and multi-data center solutions.
  • Experience supporting large-scale, high-concurrency, mission-critical systems.
  • Proficiency with database deployment automation and source control integration.
  • Advanced T-SQL and query optimization expertise.
  • Strong knowledge of indexing strategies, locking, blocking, and concurrency management.
  • Hands-on experience with storage, server, and OS-level performance tuning.
  • Ability to analyze complex performance issues and drive root cause resolution.
  • Skilled at building automation scripts and tools.
  • Familiarity with other database technologies (MySQL, MongoDB, Redis).
  • Excellent documentation, communication, and cross-team collaboration skills.
  • Strategic thinker with a focus on scalability, reliability, and continuous improvement.
  • Highly motivated, self-directed, and capable of making data-driven decisions.
  • Experience with PowerBI, SSRS, SSIS, or ETL workflows.
PLUSES
Please note that these are desirable skills and are not required to apply for the position.
  • Passion for Rockstar Games.
  • Familiarity with .NET/C# or application development.
  • Experience with SQL Sentry, SolarWinds DPA, or other monitoring tools.
  • Experience leading database load testing initiatives.
  • Knowledge of Splunk, Datadog, or similar observability platforms.
  • Experience in CI/CD environments and database-as-code practices.
HOW TO APPLY
Please apply with a resume and cover letter demonstrating how you meet the skills above. If we would like to move forward with your application, a Rockstar recruiter will reach out to you to explain next steps and guide you through the process.
Rockstar is committed to creating a work environment that promotes equal opportunity, dignity and respect. In line with this commitment, Rockstar will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities during the recruitment process in order for such applicants to be considered for the position for which they are applying, as well as to qualified employees to enable them to perform the essential functions of their roles. If you need more information about Rockstar's reasonable accommodation policies or process, or need to request an accommodation, please notify your recruiter during the interview process.
If you've got the right skills for the job, we want to hear from you. We encourage applications from all suitable candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, belief, race, or any other protected category.
#LI-BW1
The pay range for this position in New York State (inclusive of New York City) at the start of employment is expected to be between the range below* per year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations.
Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and the company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
*NY Base Pay Range
$133,900-$187,500 USD

Apply