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Entry Level Game Designer Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Entry Level Game Designer information

See Reston, VA salary details

$48.9K

$162.3K

How much do entry level game designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level game designer in Reston, VA is $155,135.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $161,300.00 and $161,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Can I get into entry level game design with no experience?

Entry level game design positions often do not require extensive professional experience and may accept candidates with relevant skills such as basic knowledge of game engines like Unity or Unreal, and a portfolio of personal projects or coursework. Building a strong foundation in game development, programming, and design principles can improve chances of entry, even without prior work experience.

What is the difference between Entry Level Game Designer vs Junior Game Developer?

AspectEntry Level Game DesignerJunior Game Developer
Required CredentialsDegree in game design, computer science, or related field; portfolioDegree in computer science, software engineering, or related; coding skills
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, game companies, remoteDevelopment teams, coding environments, collaborative
Industry UsageDesign-focused roles, concept creationProgramming, coding, implementing game features
Common Search IntentEntry level design roles, game design careersStarting coding roles, game development jobs

While both roles are entry-level positions in the game industry, an Entry Level Game Designer primarily focuses on creating game concepts, storylines, and gameplay mechanics. In contrast, a Junior Game Developer emphasizes coding, implementing features, and technical development. Both roles often require related degrees and are part of collaborative game development teams, but they serve different functions within the game creation process.

What does an entry level game designer do?

A game designer is involved in creating the concept, story, and characters of a video game. While lead game designers are experienced professionals with previous experience, entry-level game designer jobs include positions such as level designer, video game artist, or programmer. The duties of an artist involve designing the game's visual elements, while level designers produce the story elements and gameplay mechanics. Programmers use existing game engines or frameworks to translate the artistic vision of their team into a playable game, and programming specialists may even create new game engines from scratch.

What types of projects and tasks can an entry level game designer expect to work on during their first year?

As an Entry Level Game Designer, you’ll typically start by assisting senior designers with tasks such as brainstorming game concepts, designing levels, playtesting, and balancing gameplay mechanics. You may also be responsible for documenting design ideas, creating simple prototypes, and providing feedback on game features. Collaboration is key—you’ll work closely with artists, programmers, and producers to bring ideas to life, learn about the development pipeline, and gradually take on more responsibilities as you build experience. This hands-on involvement helps you develop a broad understanding of both creative and technical aspects of game development.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level game designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Game Designer, you need a solid understanding of game mechanics, creativity, problem-solving abilities, and a relevant degree or coursework in game design or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as Unity or Unreal Engine, basic scripting, and prototyping software is often required. Strong communication, teamwork, and an eagerness to learn make candidates stand out in collaborative development environments. These skills and qualities are crucial for contributing to engaging games and integrating effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
What are the most commonly searched types of Game Designer jobs in Reston, VA? The most popular types of Game Designer jobs in Reston, VA are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Game Designer jobs in Reston, VA? For Entry Level Game Designer jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Entry Level Game Designer jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Entry Level Game Designer job openings:

Media Associate, Paid Media Planning

Blue State

Washington, DC

$66K/yr

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago


Job description

We have multiple media roles open – please apply to the one you feel is the best fit for your experience and our team will assess the right level for each candidate throughout the hiring process.
What to know

Develop and execute game-changing media strategies that tie engagement to the bottom line. As Media Strategist, you'll develop and implement digital and traditional advertising strategies across clients ranging from leading nonprofits to political and advocacy groups to major brands (and everything in between).

This is an entry-level role for someone who is passionate about campaigns and causes, and equally strategic, creative, and analytical. You have the strong research, communication, and critical thinking skills necessary to help come up with innovative paid media solutions to complex challenges. And you are enthusiastic about innovation and testing to stay on the cutting edge of a rapidly changing field.

You will use your depth of paid media experience to inform your work but also tap into your digital curiosity and passion for innovation to bring new ideas and thinking to the team.

The company

Blue State is a purpose-driven agency. We partner with leading causes, brands, and campaigns and create real change. From AARP and Doctors Without Borders to Amnesty International and Oxfam, we transform how brands and causes raise money, influence policy, build platforms, and grow communities of supporters. Led by the most creative and analytical minds from the political, nonprofit, and brand worlds, Blue State is an independent agency in the US and London.

The team

As part of the Paid Media team, you'll work closely with a cross-disciplinary group of Blue State employees who are passionate, geeky, and care about their clients and causes. Blue State fosters an environment where everyone has an opportunity to shape new approaches, grow and learn from their colleagues, and take advantage of a personal development fund to stretch their skills even further. You'll have the opportunity to work with some of the most inspiring charities, ambitious brands, and passionate advocacy and social change campaigns.

A day in the life
  • Support the development of media plans and recommendations for a range of assigned clients by helping to translate their strategic visions into media plans that accomplish a wide range of client objectives including direct response (lead gen and fundraising), awareness, persuasion, and advocacy.
  • Oversee day-to-day execution of media campaigns including managing budgets, pacing, and reconciliation; working with team members and external vendors to optimize campaigns; generating client-facing insights and recommendations.
  • Participate in client-facing interactions to deliver media strategies and performance reports
  • Work collaboratively with other internal or external teams, including other media planners and buyers, strategists, account directors, designers, and analysts, to produce campaigns, creative ideas, audience and target recommendations, and experimental designs.
  • Keep us up to date with the latest digital media trends including researching publisher and ad tech partners, as well as supporting media R&D projects
What we offer
  • Unlimited time-off (inclusive of sick, personal, and vacation days)
  • $1,000 annually in professional development funds
  • Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Inclusive family planning coverage, including fertility, surrogacy, and adoption benefits
  • Flexible and health savings accounts
  • 401K & employer match
  • Generous paid holiday schedule
  • 12-week fully-paid parental leave for all parents-to-be
  • Short-term and long-term disability insurance
  • Pre-tax commuter benefits
  • Remote work flexibility

We approach in-office working with a hybrid model. On-site presence is welcome for US staff who are within commuting distance of the NY or DC office. Managers retain discretion to require in-person attendance for folks on their discipline or client teams as necessary, including for those whose roles require them to be in person.

The salary range for this position is $66,500 compensation will be commensurate with experience.

Some things we're looking for
  • Ability to effectively manage multiple clients and projects on time, within budget, and meet performance goals.
  • Exceptional attention to detail, especially with regards to budgeting, pacing and spend tracking, managing vendor relationships and paperwork, and reporting.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Ability to adapt to new situations, solve problems on the fly, and communicate with those around you. Teamwork and scrappiness required.
  • A shared passion and curiosity for delivering change. This includes comfort with ambiguity, a restlessness that resists the status quo, and a commitment to quality that ensures we're always making progress.
  • Humble in victory, constructive in defeat. We champion and expect empathy, communication, collaboration, and respect.
Not required, but a plus if you have:
  • Up to 2 years experience in cross-channel media planning, with a focus on digital media
  • Demonstrated experience translating client business goals into cohesive paid media strategies and specific KPIs, and a record of managing multi-channel media campaigns that delivered on those goals.
  • Understanding of digital and/or traditional media strategy, planning, campaign management, and analysis reporting, and the tools and platforms used

At Blue State, diversity is a necessity, not a nice-to-have. We encourage those from underrepresented communities — women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, immigrants, those with disabilities and people at all the intersections in between — to apply. Even if you don't think your current skill set checks every box below, but this role seems to align with your strengths, we want to hear from you.

Blue State is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible application and interview process. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, please contact us at recruiting@bluestate.co with the subject line: Accommodation Request to get started.

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