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Contract Gameplay Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Spin Master International

Game Developer

New York, NY · Hybrid

$38 - $40/hr

This is an on going contract opportunity. 4 days in office How will you create impact? * Review ... thematic gameplay. * Act as the primary technical liaison for external co-development partners ...

Category Labs

Smart Contract Engineer

New York, NY · On-site +1

$180K - $250K/yr

The Role Category Labs is looking for a Smart Contract Engineer to join the core engineering team ... game-changer for mass user adoption in crypto. * The right team: You'll be part of a small ...

Code Plus Inc

3D Game Developer - XR/VR

Petersburg, VA · On-site

As required by Army contract Citizenship Requirement: U.S. Citizenship In this role, you will ... Develop scripts and application logic in Unity (C#) to support gameplay systems, simulation logic ...

Code Plus Inc

3D Game Developer - XR/VR

Petersburg, VA · On-site

As required by Army contract Citizenship Requirement: U.S. Citizenship In this role, you will ... Develop scripts and application logic in Unity (C#) to support gameplay systems, simulation logic ...

Side

Lead Generalist Programmer

... range of game development engagements. This role is for a senior engineer who is equally ... contract role to start with the intent to convert to perm.

Cymertek

Software Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

... Game Development, Information Systems, Applied Computing, Computational Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Network Engineering, etc. ALTERNATE EXPERIENCE General comment on degrees: Most contracts ...

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All JobsContract Gameplay Engineer Jobs

Contract Gameplay Engineer information

See salary details

$81K

$145.4K

$205K

How much do contract gameplay engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract 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 Contract Gameplay Engineers?

Contract Gameplay Engineers are software developers hired on a temporary or project basis to design, implement, and refine interactive features in video games. They work closely with game designers, artists, and other developers to build gameplay systems such as player controls, game mechanics, and in-game events. Contract roles are often project-specific, allowing companies to bring in specialized talent for the duration of a particular game’s development cycle. These engineers typically write code, debug gameplay issues, and help ensure a smooth and engaging player experience.

How much do AAA game devs make?

AAA game developers, including roles like gameplay engineers, typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. Senior engineers or those with specialized skills can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $150,000. Compensation may also include bonuses, benefits, and stock options in larger studios.

What engineer makes 500,000 a year?

A contract gameplay engineer or senior software engineer in the gaming industry can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, specialized skills, and bonuses. Such high salaries are typically found in large companies or with those holding leadership roles, advanced technical expertise, or working on high-profile projects.

How much does a gameplay engineer make?

A gameplay engineer typically earns between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of projects. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced engineers with specialized skills in game development tools can earn higher salaries. Compensation often includes benefits such as bonuses and stock options in larger companies.

What is the difference between Contract Gameplay Engineer vs Contract Software Engineer?

AspectContract Gameplay EngineerContract Software Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science, experience in game developmentBachelor's in Computer Science or related field, general programming skills
Work EnvironmentGame studios, entertainment companies, remote optionsTech companies, software firms, various industries
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily in gaming and entertainmentAcross multiple industries including tech, finance, healthcare
Search & Comparison IntentFocus on game development rolesBroader software development roles

Contract Gameplay Engineers specialize in developing interactive gaming features, working closely with game designers and artists. In contrast, Contract Software Engineers have a broader scope, working on various software applications across industries. While both roles require strong programming skills and similar credentials, their work environments and industry focus differ significantly.

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

To thrive as a Contract Gameplay Engineer, you need strong proficiency in programming languages like C++ or C#, experience with game engines such as Unity or Unreal, and a solid understanding of game design principles. Familiarity with version control systems (e.g., Git), debugging tools, and sometimes certifications in software development are typically required. Creative problem-solving, effective communication, and the ability to collaborate remotely with diverse teams are crucial soft skills. These competencies ensure efficient development, integration of engaging gameplay features, and seamless teamwork within dynamic, project-based environments.

What are some common challenges faced by Contract Gameplay Engineers, and how can they be managed effectively?

Contract Gameplay Engineers often face challenges such as quickly adapting to new codebases, integrating with established development pipelines, and aligning with the creative vision of ongoing projects. To manage these effectively, clear communication with team leads, thorough documentation review, and proactive collaboration with designers and other engineers are essential. Building strong relationships early on helps streamline feedback loops and ensures your contributions align well with project goals, leading to successful contract outcomes.

Will game dev be replaced by AI?

Contract Gameplay Engineers and other game development roles involve creative problem-solving, design, and technical skills that are difficult for AI to fully replicate. While AI tools can assist with tasks like testing, asset generation, and code optimization, human expertise remains essential for designing engaging gameplay and making creative decisions. Therefore, AI is more likely to augment rather than replace game development jobs in the near future.
More about Contract Gameplay Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Gameplay Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Contract 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 Contract Gameplay Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Gameplay Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Contract Gameplay Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Gameplay Engineer jobs are:
Contract Gameplay Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Gameplay Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 9% Internship, 46% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 9% Temporary, and 27% Contract. Highlights an 82% In-person, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,359 per year, or $69.9 per hour.

Game Developer

Spin Master International

New York, NY • Hybrid

$38 - $40/hr

Full-time

Vision, Life

Posted 8 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.

Apply