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Contract Game Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Spin Master

Game Developer

New York, NY · On-site

$38 - $40/hr

As the Game Developer for Hellbreak TCG, you will analyze card designs and manage our external ... This is an on going contract opportunity. 4 days in office How will you create impact? * Review ...

DevSelect

Game Solution Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

Seattle, WA Openings: 1 Type: Long-Term Contract Provide Solutions for a Hit Game Team The Clients team needs a highly capable Full Stack Game Solution Engineer to act as a technical partner to a 3rd ...

DevSelect

Unity Game Solutions Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

Seattle, WA Openings: 1 Type: Long-Term Contract We Provide Solutions for Game Teams The Clients team needs a highly capable Unity Game Solution Engineer to act as a technical partner to our 3rd ...

Progressive Gaming

Game Mathematician I

Chicago, IL

$70K - $80K/yr

Chicago, IL Employment type: Full-time position through employment contract. Requirement ... Solid experience with MS Excel and basic programming knowledge (C++, C#, or similar language ...

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Contract Game Developer information

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$32.5K

$108.5K

$180K

How much do contract game developer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract game 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 is a contract game developer?

A Contract Game Developer is a freelance or temporary professional hired to develop video games for a specific project or duration. They typically work on programming, game mechanics, optimization, or other development tasks. Unlike full-time employees, contract developers work on short-term agreements and may collaborate with multiple studios or clients. This role offers flexibility but may require finding new contracts regularly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the contract game developer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Game Developer, you need a solid background in programming languages such as C++, C#, or JavaScript, and experience in game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine. Familiarity with source control systems (e.g., Git), debugging tools, and relevant certifications or portfolios showcasing shipped games are highly valued. Strong time management, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help developers excel, especially when working remotely or with diverse teams. These competencies enable contract game developers to deliver high-quality projects on tight deadlines, adapt to different workflows, and collaborate efficiently with clients and teammates.

What types of projects or tasks can a contract game developer expect to work on?

As a Contract Game Developer, you may be involved in a wide range of tasks depending on the studio's needs, such as designing new game features, fixing bugs, optimizing performance, or creating game prototypes. Projects can vary from short-term assignments like implementing specific mechanics to long-term contributions on larger game releases. You'll likely collaborate closely with artists, designers, and other developers, often joining existing teams to bring specialized expertise or cover resource gaps. This role offers exposure to different genres and technologies, which can greatly broaden your experience and skill set as you work with multiple clients.

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Contract Game Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Game Developer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Full Time, 33% Part Time, and 34% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $108,471 per year, or $52.1 per hour.

Game Developer

Spin Master

New York, NY • On-site

$38 - $40/hr

Full-time

Vision, Life

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description

Please Note: If you are a current Spin Master employee with access to Workday, apply to this job via the Workday application.
Are you a kid at heart looking to build a career with a leading global children's toy, entertainment and digital gaming company?
At Spin Master, our unwavering commitment to open mindedness, integrity and innovation is a great part of what has made us an industry leader. How do we stay ahead of the pack? By hiring the best and brightest minds-and that's why we want you!
Job Description:
What will you work on?
As the Game Developer for Hellbreak TCG, you will analyze card designs and manage our external playtest networks to ensure the game remains balanced, engaging, and mechanically sound. You will translate qualitative playtest data into actionable design refinements and ensure our dark horror themes are elegantly integrated into airtight physical rules.
This is an on going contract opportunity. 4 days in office
How will you create impact?
  • Review card files and mechanical submissions with game designers to provide analytical feedback on card effects, mechanical complexity, and overall set architecture.
  • Source, vet, and manage a dedicated network of external playtesters and community alpha/beta groups.
  • Gather, synthesize, and interpret qualitative feedback and quantitative match data from playtests to address dominant strategies and power creep.
  • Collaborate with designers to translate narrative horror elements into elegant analog rules that evoke psychological tension and thematic gameplay.
  • Act as the primary technical liaison for external co-development partners, ensuring all deliverables meet design, balancing, and documentation standards.

What are your skills and experience?
  • Proven track record in tabletop game development, set design, or technical editing within trading card games or systems-heavy board games.
  • Profound structural understanding of physical trading card game systems and the competitive landscape.
  • Strong ability to model game economies, track card asset lists, and analyze set distribution.
  • Exceptional technical writing skills with a focus on logic, syntax, and clarity for crafting airtight physical rules and card text.
  • Specialized knowledge of the aesthetics and history of the horror genre.

#LI-Hybrid #LI-HM1
The anticipated pay range for candidates who will work in New York is $38 to $40 Per Hour. The offered pay to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to years of experience within the job, years of experience within the required industry, education, etc. Spin Master Inc. is a multi-state employer, and this salary range may not reflect positions that work only in other states.
This job posting is tied to an open vacancy.
What you can expect from us:
Our mission is to Make Life More Fun with a vision to push the boundaries of innovation, creativity, and fun.
  • Growth and Career Opportunities
  • Flexible Work Hours
  • Innovation, Collaboration and Fun
  • Comprehensive Benefits
  • Other fun Perks!

What's it like to work here?
Spin Master is a fast-paced, hands-on organization that provides many great opportunities for impactful decision-making; though our challenging start-up atmosphere isn't for everyone, we have a proven record of opportunities for future advancement and internal transfers for our passionate and results driven team.
Everyone is welcome in our sandbox and we are committed to an accessible and inclusive hiring process that provides reasonable accommodation to all applicants.
Spin Master strives to create an accessible and inclusive application and selection process and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to job applicants who may require provisions to participate in the recruitment, selection and/or assessment processes. Should you require an accommodation, please contact our Talent Acquisition team, by email at TAinquiries@spinmaster.com or by phone at 416 364-6002 and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @SpinMaster to stay up to date on Spin Master career opportunities.
We do appreciate all interest; however only those selected for interview will be contacted.

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