ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Contract Technical Game Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Amazon

Principal Game Designer, RBKS AI

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

As a Principal Game Designer at RBKS AI (Ring, Blink, Key, Sidewalk), you will own the design ... technical constraints, and keep complex initiatives on track - Proactively identify and resolve ...

Amazon

Principal Game Designer, RBKS AI

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

As a Principal Game Designer at RBKS AI (Ring, Blink, Key, Sidewalk), you will own the design ... technical constraints, and keep complex initiatives on track - Proactively identify and resolve ...

Itcharm

PA · On-site

$70 - $110/hr

Ensure that new mechanics fit into the existing product and technical infrastructure. Requirements * 2-3 years of relevant experience in GameDev. * Background as a Game Designer, Product Manager ...

New

Hasbro

Associate Game Designer - D&D

Renton, WA · On-site

This Associate Game Designer role draws on your D&D knowledge, your curiosity and enthusiastic ... Strong creative writing, storytelling, and technical design skills * Strong familiarity with ...

New

Bitus Labs

Game Math Designer (Mandarin Required)

Irvine, CA · On-site

$166K/yr

You will collaborate with game designers, product managers, and engineers in a fast-paced, on-site ... Fluency in Chinese (Required) and ability to communicate complex math concepts to both technical ...

Hasbro

Associate Game Designer - D&D

Renton, WA · On-site

$33.30 - $50/hr

This Associate Game Designer role draws on your D&D knowledge, your curiosity and enthusiastic ... Solid technical writing and editorial skills, including attention to detail and dedication to ...

Electronic Arts

$80 - $120/hr

Work with other designers on to improve multiple parts of Apex * Playtest frequently and provide ... Solid technical understanding of scripting and 3D action game fundamentals * Strong track record in ...

teamLFG

Senior Gameplay Designer (Combat & AI)

OR · On-site +1

We are seeking a highly technical, creative, and team-oriented Senior Sandbox Designer to contribute to a new multiplayer action game on teamLFG. You will work closely with the entire Design Team ...

2K

Combat Designer (Gameplay)

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$167K/yr

In this role, you'll collaborate with a passionate group of game developers to craft experimental ... S. teams and international partners, as well as to handle specialized technical documentation ...

2K

Combat Designer (Gameplay)

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$167K/yr

In this role, you'll collaborate with a passionate group of game developers to craft experimental ... S. teams and international partners, as well as to handle specialized technical documentation ...

teamLFG

Senior Gameplay Designer (Combat & AI)

$118K - $177K/yr

We are seeking a highly technical, creative, and team-oriented Senior Sandbox Designer to contribute to a new multiplayer action game on teamLFG. You will work closely with the entire Design Team ...

IANS

Contract Technical Sourcer

Boston, MA · On-site

$35 - $45/hr

... platform designed to deliver practitioner-driven intelligence and insights on more than 500 ... To support this initiative, IANS is seeking a Contract Technical Sourcer to identify, engage ...

teamLFG

Staff Gameplay Designer - Social (Contract)

OR · On-site +1

... game feel, and expressive communication? We are seeking a highly technical, creative, and team-oriented contract Staff Gameplay Designer to contribute a new multiplayer action game on teamLFG. You ...

previous page

Showing results 41-60

All Jobsfreelance JobsArts and Entertainment JobsArts JobsArtist 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 Sep 4, 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 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.

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.

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 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.

More about Contract Technical Game Designer jobs

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:

What job categories do people searching Contract Technical Game Designer jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Contract Technical Game Designer jobs are:

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 1% As Needed, 89% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,265 per year, or $38.6 per hour.

Senior Game Designer (Combat)

Naughty Dog

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

Ability to work onsite from our Santa Monica, CA based studio is required. 

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 Part I is now available for the first time on PC.

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 

Apply