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Card Game Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Mattel

Sr. Manager Product Design - Games

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$134K - $177K/yr

... trading card games. * Guide projects from early concept exploration through prototyping ... Apply game design principles, player psychology, behavioral science, and consumer insights to ...

Mattel

Sr. Manager Product Design - Games

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$134K - $177K/yr

... trading card games. * Guide projects from early concept exploration through prototyping ... Apply game design principles, player psychology, behavioral science, and consumer insights to ...

Mattel

Sr. Manager Product Design - Games

El Segundo, CA

$134K - $177K/yr

... trading card games. * Guide projects from early concept exploration through prototyping ... Apply game design principles, player psychology, behavioral science, and consumer insights to ...

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All JobsCard Game Design JobsCard Game Design Jobs in California

Card Game Design information

See California salary details

$78.5K

$129K

$193.4K

How much do card game design jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for card game design in California is $129,049.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $105,600.00 and $148,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a card game designer do?

A card game designer is responsible for creating the rules, mechanics, and overall experience of a card game. This includes developing the concept, designing the cards, balancing gameplay, and often playtesting to refine the game's flow and fairness. Card game designers may work on traditional games, collectible card games, or digital card games. Their role often involves collaborating with artists, developers, and publishers to bring the game to market.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a card game designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Card Game Designer, you need a strong understanding of game mechanics, probability, and player psychology, often supported by a background in game design, mathematics, or related fields. Familiarity with digital design tools like Adobe Creative Suite, prototyping software, and sometimes experience with playtesting platforms is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help designers iterate ideas and collaborate with artists and developers. These skills ensure the creation of engaging, balanced, and marketable card games that appeal to a wide audience.

What are some common challenges card game designers face when balancing game mechanics for both new and experienced players?

Card game designers often encounter the challenge of creating mechanics that are engaging for experienced players while still being accessible to newcomers. Balancing complexity and simplicity is key—too many intricate rules can overwhelm beginners, while overly simple mechanics may not hold the interest of seasoned players. Playtesting with diverse groups, gathering feedback, and iterating designs frequently are standard industry practices to achieve this balance. Additionally, designers must ensure that the game's elements promote fairness and minimize dominant strategies to keep gameplay dynamic and enjoyable for all.

What is the difference between Card Game Design vs Board Game Design?

AspectCard Game DesignBoard Game Design
Required CredentialsDesign skills, understanding of game mechanics, creativityDesign skills, understanding of mechanics, prototyping experience
Work EnvironmentCollaborative, often in game studios or freelanceSimilar, with focus on physical components and prototyping
Industry UsageUsed in tabletop gaming, card game companies, indie developersUsed in tabletop gaming, board game publishers, hobby industry
Search & Comparison IntentPeople comparing specific design roles in card gamesPeople interested in designing physical tabletop games

Card Game Design and Board Game Design share many skills, including mechanics development and prototyping. However, card game designers focus specifically on creating engaging card-based gameplay, while board game designers work on entire physical game systems. Both roles are vital in the tabletop gaming industry and often overlap in skills and work environment.

What are popular job titles related to Card Game Design jobs in California?

For Card Game Design jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Card Game Design jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Card Game Design jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Card Game Design jobs?

Cities in California with the most Card Game Design job openings:

Card Game Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Card Game Design job openings in California as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $129,049 per year, or $62 per hour.

Director, Game Design - Trading Card Games (TCG)

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Fanatics Inc.
Retail • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Fanatics Inc.external

$173K - $216K/yr

Other

Posted 6 days ago

Fanatics rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 69 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Director, Game Design - Trading Card Games (TCG)

Seattle, WA, United States and 2 more (On-site)

Job Description

About the Team

Fanatics TCG is a new trading card game business, the newest member of the Fanatics Collectibles family. We are here to build the best TCG studio and games in the world.

If you have passion, and skill, and if you believe trading card games represent the very best of what games have to offer, please reach out to us.

Role Summary

The Director of Trading Card Game Design is responsible for setting and owning the creative vision, design strategy, and long-term roadmap for Fanatics Collectibles’ TCG. This role leads the TCG design organization and partners closely with Product, Brand, Licensing, and Production to bring a scalable, distinctive game to market.

Responsibilities

  • Define and own the overall game vision, design philosophy, and player experience
  • Lead and scale the TCG design team across systems, set design, and play design
  • Establish long-term content, mechanic, and balance roadmaps
  • Oversee major design decisions across core rules, expansions, and formats
  • Partner cross-functionally to align game design with brand, business, and operational goals
  • Represent Design at the executive level and with external partners

Qualifications & Experience

  • Minimum 10 years of professional game or TCG design experience
  • Minimum 5 years in people leadership roles
  • Proven experience shipping and supporting a successful trading card or competitive game
  • Experience launching new IP and scaling live game ecosystems

Skills & Abilities

  • Deep expertise in TCG systems, balance, and collectible game economies
  • Strong creative vision paired with analytical decision-making
  • Executive-level communication and leadership skills
  • Ability to lead ambiguity and build teams from early-stage concepts

Location & Compensation

Achieving our goals requires strong collaboration and partnership between our teams and internal stakeholders. To best support this, the person who accepts this role is expected to be onsite in-office five days per week.

The salary range forthis position is $173,000 - $216,000, which represents base pay only and does not include short-term or long-term incentive compensation. When determining base pay, as part of a final compensation package, we consider several factors such as location, experience, qualifications, and training.

About Us

Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges, college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000 employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience and delighting sports fans globally.

About the Team

Fanatics Collectibles is a new model and vision for the hobby, fundamentally changing the experience for current and future collectors, leagues, and players across many U.S. and international professional and college sports. The organization has long-term, exclusive rights to design, manufacture and distribute trading cards for several sports and entertainment properties, including MLB, MLBPA, the Premier League, MLS, UFC, Formula 1 as well as Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars, among others. In January 2022, Fanatics Collectibles announced the acquisition of Topps, establishing the preeminent licensed trading card brand as the cornerstone of Fanatics’ trading cards and collectibles business, and jumpstarted its MLB and MLBPA rights to design, manufacture and distribute trading cards

Job Info
  • Locations 11601 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90025, US (On-site)
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