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Contract Technical Game Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Exploding Kittens

Contract Game Designer

Los Angeles, CA

$167K/yr

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

The Walt Disney Company

Senior Game Designer

Glendale, CA

$105K - $140K/yr

Senior Game Designer Req ID: 10152543 Senior Game Designer, 20th Century Games Come work with 20th ... Technical gameplay design * Encounter design * UI/UX design * Working knowledge of game engines and ...

Booz Allen Hamilton

Game Designer

Washington, DC

$77K - $176K/yr

... technical credibility under scrutiny * Ability to participate in code reviews, brainstorming ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

Disney Experiences

Senior Game Designer

Glendale, CA

$105K - $140K/yr

Senior Game Designer, 20th Century Games Come work with 20th Century Games as a Senior Game ... Technical gameplay design * Encounter design * UI/UX design * Working knowledge of game engines and ...

Booz Allen Hamilton

Game Designer

Washington, DC

$77K - $176K/yr

... technical credibility under scrutiny * Ability to participate in code reviews, brainstorming ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.

Game Designer

Washington, DC · On-site

$77K - $176K/yr

... technical credibility under scrutiny * Ability to participate in code reviews, brainstorming ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

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 ...

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All JobsContract Technical Game Designer Jobs

Contract Technical Game Designer information

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$35.5K

$80.3K

$126K

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

As of Jun 9, 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, and why are they important?

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.
What cities are hiring for Contract Technical Game Designer jobs? Cities with the most Contract Technical Game Designer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Technical Game Designer jobs? The most popular types of Technical Game Designer jobs are:
What states have the most Contract Technical Game Designer jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Technical Game Designer jobs include:
Contract Technical Game Designer jobs near you
Senior Technical Game Designer - Unpublished R&D Product

Senior Technical Game Designer - Unpublished R&D Product

Riot Games

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

All Game Designers at Riot have a base set of skills: you design, tweak, and optimize the player experience. Your analytical skills, player insight, and creativity aid in crafting in- and out-of-game experiences that engage and surprise players.
As a Senior Technical Game Designer specializing in core gameplay on an unpublished R&D product, you excel in designing mechanics and systems for gameplay-centric experiences. You will also help designers and engineers build and expand our engine capabilities creating powerful tools that can empower other designers to make satisfying core gameplay. You will partner closely with designers and engineers to translate ambitious creative visions into actionable, technically sound designs. Through a mix of mentorship and content reviews, you also ensure that local designers are building the game with strong technical rigor. Reporting directly to the Lead Technical Game Designer, your contributions will elevate the capabilities of the entire team on this ambitious project.
Responsibilities:
  • Design and implement content as a vanguard in the most technical areas of player actions, game mechanics, and systems
  • Build out solutions to design problems that require a deep level of technical expertise and consistently advance the team's knowledge of how to work in those spaces in the future.
  • Playtest the game regularly, constructively providing and processing feedback to identify and drive ongoing improvements.
  • Collaborate with engineering to define the technical strategy and execution of gameplay systems and gameplay mechanics.
  • Develop, advocate, and enforce a system of organizational excellence in content creation that allows for the long-term sustainability of software while supporting a rapid prototyping culture.
  • Implement gameplay workflows within Unreal Engine to enable designers to rapidly prototype and iterate.
  • Proactively identify technical risks, develop mitigation strategies, and communicate clearly with team leadership and stakeholders.
  • Ensure high-quality implementation of complex gameplay systems, promoting performance, scalability, and maintainability.
Required Qualifications:
  • 5+ years of experience in professional Technical Game Design or related Tech Design or Engineering roles
  • 2+ years of experience in either gameplay mechanics or gameplay feel in real-time games
  • Proven experience shipping high-quality titles using Unreal Engine, demonstrating expertise in Blueprints, scripting, and technical workflows
  • Experience with C++ or C#
  • Deep understanding of gameplay system architecture, online networking, and gameplay mechanics
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills with experience working cross-functionally between engineering, test, production, art, and design
Desired Qualifications:
  • Experience working on a live product
  • Experience with technical optimization and performance profiling within Unreal Engine.

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise and a collaborative spirit that prioritizes the delight of players. We will look at your past studies and experience, but for this role, we also look for dedicated people with a personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about players' experiences, this is the role for you!
Our Perks:
Riot focuses on work/life balance, shown by our open paid time off policy and other perks such as flexible work schedules. We offer medical, dental, and life insurance, parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and children, and a 401k with company match. Check out our benefits pages for more information.
At Riot Games, we put players first. That mission drives every decision in our quest to create games and experiences that make it better to be a player. Whether you're working directly on a new player-facing experience or you're supporting the company as a whole, everyone at Riot is part of our mission. And just like in our games, we're better when we work together. Our goal is to create collaborative teams where you are empowered to bring your unique perspective everyday. If that sounds like the kind of place you want to work, we're looking forward to your application.
It's our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and members of Riot Games, Inc. Riot Games makes reasonable accommodations for handicapped and disabled Rioters and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, handicap, veteran status, marital status, criminal history, or any other category protected by applicable federal and state law. We consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the Washington Fair Chance Act.
Per the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the following core duties may create a basis for disqualifying candidates with relevant criminal histories:
  • Safeguarding confidential and sensitive Company data
  • Communication with others, including Rioters and third parties such as vendors, and/or players, including minors
  • Accessing Company assets, secure digital systems, and networks
  • Ensuring a safe interactive environment for players and other Rioters

These duties are directly related to essential operations, safety, trust, and compliance obligations within our organization. Please note that job duties may evolve based on business needs and additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to maintain operational efficiency and security.
Riot Games logo

About Riot Games

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Riot Games was founded in 2006 by Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill with the intent to change the way video games are made and supported for players. In 2009, Riot released its debut title League of Legends to worldwide acclaim. The game has since gone on to become the most played PC game in the world and a key driver of the explosive growth of esports. Players are the foundation of our community and it's for them we continue to evolve and improve the League of Legends experience.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2006

Social media

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