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Contract Game Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Onebrief, Inc

Game Play Engineer, Battle Road

$150K - $185K/yr

As a Gameplay Engineer, you'll join a team of experienced game developers building AtomEngine, our ... Due to federal contract requirements, U.S. Citizenship is mandatory for this position. Notice to ...

Onebrief, Inc

Staff Game Play Engineer, Battle Road

$205K - $255K/yr

About the Role As a Staff Gameplay Engineer, you'll be a senior technical leader on the AtomEngine ... S. Citizenship required due to federal contract requirements Nice to Haves * Experience with ...

teamLFG

OR · On-site

Do you spend your time thinking about how different game mechanics can come together to create ... programmers, audio professionals, quality assurance and producers to achieve a common goal, with ...

Hirekeyz Inc

Senior Developer

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$52.50 - $69.25/hr

Contract/W2 Job Summary - An opening for a highly skilled Sr. Developer with hands-on experience in ... Key Responsibilities: · Developing techniques that allow LLMs to reliably author complex, game ...

teamLFG

Staff Gameplay Designer - Social (Contract)

$76 - $115/hr

Do you spend your time thinking about how different game mechanics can come together to create ... programmers, audio professionals, quality assurance and producers to achieve a common goal, with ...

Netflix

Software Engineer 5 - Android & Backend

$388K - $558K/yr

Define the API and integration contracts that allow game developers to bring their experiences into ... the Playground hub. * Build backend services for game discovery, user state, achievements, and ...

Netflix

Software Engineer 5 - Android & Backend

$388K - $558K/yr

Define the API and integration contracts that allow game developers to bring their experiences into ... the Playground hub. * Build backend services for game discovery, user state, achievements, and ...

Netflix

OR

$388K - $558K/yr

Experience integrating 2D or 3D game assets into mobile experiences Experience building developer ... Define the API and integration contracts that allow game developers to bring their experiences into ...

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All JobsContract Game Developer Jobs

Contract Game Developer information

See salary details

$32.5K

$108.5K

$180K

How much do contract game developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 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 job?

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.

More about Contract Game Developer jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Game Developer jobs? Cities with the most Contract Game Developer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Game Developer jobs? The most popular types of Game Developer jobs are:
What states have the most Contract Game Developer jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Game Developer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Contract Game Developer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Game Developer jobs are:
Contract Game Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Game Developer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 37% Full Time, 37% Part Time, 13% Temporary, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 74% In-person, 13% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,471 per year, or $52.1 per hour.
Software Design Engineer/Game Developer 4

Software Design Engineer/Game Developer 4

By Light Professional IT Services LLC

Orlando, FL • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

Company Overview
By Light Professional IT Services LLC readies warfighters and federal agencies with technology and systems engineered to connect, protect, and prepare individuals and teams for whatever comes next. Headquartered in McLean, VA, By Light supports defense, civilian, and commercial IT customers worldwide.
Cole Engineering Services (CESI), a By Light company, is recognized as a premier provider of modeling and simulation (M&S) training solutions to the Federal Government and industry. Since 2004, CESI has been at the forefront of developing, maintaining, and integrating simulation-based training, serious gaming, technical services, training and other support in live, virtual, constructive, and gaming (LVCG) domains. CESI also designs, builds and runs infrastructure, platforms, applications and processes that enable cyber training for the integrated multi-domain force. Our vision is to become a worldwide full spectrum LVCG and cyber training/analysis developer, integrator and services provider.
Position Overview
Develop new functionality, diagnose and fix software defects for distributed simulations, game-based training systems and applications. Applications are implemented in C++ with Unreal Engine 5 and are deployed to Windows and Linux environments.
Responsibilities
  • Architect and develop UE5-based real-time simulation environments for DoD training and analysis programs.
  • Design and implement custom UE5 engine plugins, modules, and rendering extensions using C++ and OOD principles.
  • Profile, debug, and optimize render performance including GPU/CPU bottleneck resolution and memory management.
  • Support customer-directed research and development activities.
  • Support for integration and test activities.
  • Investigate and fix defects in a UE5 project.
  • On-site development.

Required Experience/Qualifications
  • Object Oriented design background
  • Advanced Knowledge of C++
  • Extensive Unreal Engine development experience
  • Experience with performance profiling, memory optimization, and multi-threaded game/sim engine code
  • Proficient in writing and extending custom UE5 Plugins and subsystems
  • Ability to test, diagnose problems, and implement fixes
  • Experience with GIT source control tools
  • Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline such as electrical engineering, computer science, information technology, systems or software engineering from an accredited college or university. Experience may be considered in lieu of degree
  • 8+ years of professional software engineering experience in real-time 3D, simulation, or games
  • 3+ years of hands-on development with Unreal Engine 4/5 in a professional or DoD program context

Preferred Experience/Qualifications
  • First or third person game development
  • Networking, VMs, Kubernetes, Docker, Python scripting
  • Experience with Image Generators or Terrain Generation tools
  • DoD simulation-based application development
  • Experience integrating with CIGI-compliant host applications
  • Familiarity with GIS concepts, including WGS84, coordinate systems, and industry-standard formats
  • Experience with Cesium for Unreal
  • Familiarity with HLSL for custom rendering pipeline work

Special Requirements/Security Clearance
Please note that pursuant to a government contract, this specific position requires U. S. Citizenship status and a secret security clearance with the ability to pass a CI polygraph if requested by the customer. Security Clearance requirements will be specified in the Government's Task Order.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. The above is intended to describe the general contents of and requirements for the performance of this job.
Benefits Overview
CESI recognizes that our strength is our people. We support every employee as an individual to build strong teams across the enterprise. Our benefit package includes:
  • Medical, Dental & Visio
  • Coverage
  • Wellness Program
  • 401(k) Matching
  • Disability (Short Term & Long Term)
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Life Insurance
  • Education & Training
  • Generous Leave Policy (11 Federal Holidays, PTO, Military Leave, Bereavement and Jury Duty)

Cole Engineering Services, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, political affiliation, age, marital status, disability, genetic information, veteran status, membership in an employee organization, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local laws.

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