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Contract Technical Game Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

thatgamecompany

Technical Game Designer

Los Angeles, CA · Remote

$80K - $140K/yr

Technical Game Designer Remote - US and Canada only We are a small studio dedicated to crafting unique and high-quality interactive experiences, and we are looking for a talented designer-programmer ...

Thatgamecompany

Technical Game Designer

$80K - $140K/yr

Technical Game Designer Remote - US and Canada only We are a small studio dedicated to crafting unique and high-quality interactive experiences, and we are looking for a talented designer-programmer ...

Progressive Gaming

Game Designer

Reno, NV

$154K/yr

IGT is looking for a Game Designer who can inspire teams to create Class 3, land-based slot games ... Develop the technical and creative design vision for slot machines, defining things such as the ...

Progressive Gaming

Game Designer

Las Vegas, NV

$149K/yr

IGT is looking for a Game Designer who can inspire teams to create Class 3, land-based slot games ... Develop the technical and creative design vision for slot machines, defining things such as the ...

IGT

Game Designer

Las Vegas, NV

$149K/yr

IGT is looking for a Game Designer who can inspire teams to create Class 3, land-based slot games ... Develop the technical and creative design vision for slot machines, defining things such as the ...

IGT

Game Designer

Reno, NV · On-site

$154K/yr

IGT is looking for a Game Designer who can inspire teams to create Class 3, land-based slot games ... Develop the technical and creative design vision for slot machines, defining things such as the ...

Exploding Kittens

Contract Game Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$30 - $38/hr

This is a contract position for the role of Game Designer, anticipated to run for approximately three months with the possibility of extension based on business needs. The Game Designer plays a key ...

MobilityWare

Game Designer

Lehi, UT · On-site

$145K/yr

The Game Designer will create Game Design Documents, generate content in Unity, and enhance ... technical flows, and research materials to support early concepting. • Familiarity with using ...

ARRISE

Game Designer

$154K/yr

From concept to execution, we combine creativity with technical excellence to shape the future of ... Collaborate with other game designers to provide gameplay feedback and recommendations for ...

ARRISE

Game Designer

$158K/yr

From concept to execution, we combine creativity with technical excellence to shape the future of ... Collaborate with other game designers to provide gameplay feedback and recommendations for ...

MobilityWare

Game Designer

Lehi, UT

$145K/yr

MobilityWare is NOW looking for a Game Designer to join our team and work on our vast portfolio of ... Experience creating wireframes, mock-ups, technical flows, and research materials to support early ...

MobilityWare

Game Designer

Lehi, UT · On-site

$145K/yr

MobilityWare is NOW looking for a Game Designer to join our team and work on our vast portfolio of ... Experience creating wireframes, mock-ups, technical flows, and research materials to support early ...

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All JobsContract Technical Game Designer Jobs

Contract Technical Game Designer information

See salary details

$35.5K

$80.3K

$126K

How much do contract technical game designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract technical game designer in the United States is $80,265.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,000.00 and $92,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Contract Technical Game Designer vs Contract Gameplay Programmer?

AspectContract Technical Game DesignerContract Gameplay Programmer
Required SkillsGame design, scripting, technical prototypingProgramming, coding, software development
Work EnvironmentDesign teams, collaborative, creativeDevelopment teams, technical, coding-focused
Industry UsageGame studios, freelance projects, contract rolesGame studios, freelance, contract roles

Contract Technical Game Designers and Contract Gameplay Programmers often collaborate but focus on different aspects. Designers shape gameplay mechanics and user experience, while programmers implement these features through coding. Both roles require technical skills, but designers emphasize creativity and design tools, whereas programmers focus on software development. Understanding these differences helps employers and candidates align expectations for contract roles in game development.

What is a contract technical game designer?

A Contract Technical Game Designer is a professional who works on a temporary basis to design and implement gameplay systems, mechanics, and features using technical skills such as scripting or programming. They collaborate closely with artists, programmers, and other designers to ensure the game functions as intended and is fun to play. Their tasks often include prototyping, balancing gameplay, creating tools, and troubleshooting technical issues. As contract workers, they are typically hired for specific projects or periods rather than as permanent staff.

How does a contract technical game designer typically collaborate with other departments during a project?

As a Contract Technical Game Designer, you will often collaborate closely with artists, programmers, and producers to ensure that gameplay systems function as intended and integrate smoothly with other game elements. Communication is key, as you’ll need to translate design concepts into technical specifications and often help troubleshoot issues that arise during development. You may also participate in regular sprint meetings, provide feedback on prototypes, and work with QA teams to address bugs related to your systems. This cross-disciplinary teamwork helps ensure a cohesive and engaging player experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract technical game designer?

To thrive as a Contract Technical Game Designer, you need a strong grasp of game design principles, scripting languages (such as C# or Blueprint), and experience with game engines like Unity or Unreal, often supported by a relevant degree or portfolio. Proficiency with version control systems, visual scripting tools, and sometimes certifications in game development platforms is beneficial. Creative problem-solving, adaptability, and effective communication help you collaborate across teams and rapidly iterate on game features. These skills ensure you can efficiently implement engaging gameplay mechanics and meet project goals within tight deadlines.
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Contract Technical Game Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Technical Game Designer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Contract. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,265 per year, or $38.6 per hour.

Technical Game Designer

thatgamecompany

Los Angeles, CA • Remote

$80K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

Technical Game Designer

Remote – US and Canada only

We are a small studio dedicated to crafting unique and high-quality interactive experiences, and we are looking for a talented designer-programmer hybrid who will collaborate with both the engineering and design teams. The goal in this role is to drive the creation and improvement of core gameplay and technical systems and tools highly tuned for the level of rich feedback and player immersion that helped define our games.

An example week for this person might be: Attend a design meeting and discover the need for a new camera feature to support a new content release. Program the camera feature and jump into the level editor to test and refine its implementation. Then, improve the level editor’s toolset to enable the rest of the design team to make full use of your new feature in future levels. Of course, the role isn’t limited to just camera features. Any interactive system applies — procedural animation, cloth simulation, player controls, AI creatures, NPC interactions — use your imagination!

What you'll do here:

  • Crafting technical systems that enable gameplay (either alone or with a small team)

  • Create fluid user interactions with rich feedback and polished game feel

  • Enjoys enabling team members by improving the creative pipeline

  • Is comfortable with cross-disciplinary work and collaboration

Must haves:

  • Proficient in C++ (preferred), C, C# for quickly prototyping 3D gameplay

  • Visual scripting

  • Multiplayer game development

  • Online operation of a live game

  • Maya or 3D game engines

  • Portfolio of your work

  • Ok to take a test as part of our process

Nice to haves:

  • Seek adventure and uncertainty in exploring experimental and risky game concepts

  • Believe in the practice of rapid prototyping and relentless iteration

  • Have a desire to create meaningful, enriching experiences that touch and inspire players 


Perks:

  • Paid Time Off, Holidays and Two Weeks Winter Break 

  • Employees and their dependents get medical, dental, and vision coverage, regardless of their level, tenure, or position within the company. Moreover, these benefits start on the first day of the job—there’s no waiting period before they kick in. 

  • Pet Insurance for those who need it too.

  • Compassionate leave for employees who needs to take care of their family members

  • Pre-tax wellness stipend

  • Pre-tax work from home stipend

  • Access our savings plan (401K program) with company match 

  • Mental health resources including Headspace membership and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 

  • Discount portal for everyday goods and services

  • Employee inclusive and diversity initiatives such as Grow Together

  • Support for personal professional development

We look forward to meeting you!

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

The salary range for this position is $80,000 USD to $140,000 USD annually, with the
opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus. This salary range is an estimate, and
the actual salary may vary based on the Company’s compensation practices.
Employees in this position are eligible to participate in the Company’s standard
employee benefit programs, which currently include the following: medical, dental, vision,
401k, and paid time off.

Our base pay is benchmarked against regional market and industry data and is adjusted to reflect the cost of living in your specific geographic area.

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