ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Contract Technical Game Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

That's No Moon Entertainment

OR

$120K - $145K/yr

Collaborate with animation, art, tech designers and engineering to develop levels, gameplay systems ... Drive iteration between disciplines, balancing creative vision, technical feasibility, and player ...

Dorman Products

Contract Technical Trainer

Colmar, PA

$32.25 - $42.75/hr

Job Summary Dorman Products invites applications for the position of Contract Technical Trainer ... Proven capability in designing and structuring training programs that meet diverse learner needs ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

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 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 Game Designer (Combat)

Senior Game Designer (Combat)

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE)

Santa Monica, CA

$145K - $181K/yr

Other

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

This is a hybrid/ onsite position.

For nearly 40 years, Naughty Dog has been crafting best-selling, critically acclaimed games that constantly push the boundaries of narrative, gameplay, and technology. Naughty Dog recently released The Last of Us Part II Remastered as well as a current generation remake of The Last of Us Part I for the PS5. We're also proud to say that The Last of Us Parts I and II are now available for the first time on PC. Currently, we're busy at the kennel working onIntergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, and we'd love to find talented individuals to join us.

Naughty Dog games have long been lauded for their evocative, character-driven stories and attention to detail. We are committed to innovation within our games and as such have curated some of the top creative and technically innovative minds in the industry. We welcome diverse candidates and believe that a broad range of cultural and life experiences contribute to the overall well-being and success of the studio and the titles we craft together.

What you will do:

  • Pitch, design, implement, and own enemy NPC archetypes
  • Work with AI programmers to develop foundational NPC technology and implementing and tuning enemy AI behaviors
  • Work with animators to develop enemy locomotion and traversal, melee moves, ambient behaviors, and other custom abilities. Make every enemy archetype feel unique and memorable
  • Collaborate with the Design team to conceptualize, prototype, implement, tune, and balance gameplay mechanics and systems
  • Communicate with animation, programming, and art departments to effectively produce the assets and code support required for the enemies you're owning
  • Write and maintain documentation that establishes the core vision of the enemy archetypes
  • Drive communication and collaboration for enemies you design and the levels they are in, ensuring communication across disciplines and meeting deadlines
  • Effective and respectful communicator and collaborator, both with other designers and members of other departments
  • Facilitate playtesting and feedback sessions to iterate on combat systems and fine-tune them based on player experiences
  • Mentor junior designers and contribute to the overall growth of the design team

What skills you will use:

  • 5+ years of industry experience in combat design and/or technical design for games, specifically focused on developing action-adventure or shooter games
  • At least one shipped title as a combat designer or similar role. Experience with behavior trees or similar NPC AI concepts preferred
  • Strong coding ability: Computer Science degree preferred though not required
  • Proficient in using game engines and tools (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) for combat implementation and design scripting (C#, Lua, Visual Scripting)
  • Welcomes feedback on their work and embraces the "let's try it" mentality
  • Proficient and effective communication skills, including diagramming and sketching
  • Fluent in modern character action-adventure and shooter combat games. Maintains knowledge of the broader gaming landscape trends
  • Knowledge of narrative structure and how it intersects with gameplay and combat
  • A keen eye for detail in character action games, able to tune gameplay systems to make them feel smooth and impactful
  • Strong leadership and mentoring skills
The estimated USA base pay range for this zone (Los Angeles area) is listed below. This role may be eligible for additional compensation packages that includes annual bonus and other incentive plans.
$145,100-$181,400 USD

Please note, Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles) and will need to process personal information to support these checks.

Please refer to ourCandidate Privacy Noticefor more information about what personal information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and your data protection rights.

Apply