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Entry Level Indie Game Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Handshake

Indie Game Developer * 2D Animator or Game Asset Designer You should have solid experience with one or more of the following: * Sprite creation, pixel art, or 2D game asset design using Defold ...

Tolan

Principal Gameplay Engineer - Unity

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$200K - $300K/yr

... motion - think "game feel" in the Super Meat Boy/Balatro/Hades sense: tight, expressive, and ... Indie feel. You've shipped experiences where the magic comes from timing, simplicity, and cohesion.

PlayStation Global

Game Test Analyst

San Diego, CA

This is an entry level role and great for a recent grad! Game Testers at SIE are responsible for finding and replicating bugs/glitches and accurately reporting them to the game developers. The ideal ...

TapBlaze

Game Designer, Casual F2P

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$167K/yr

Play and deeply analyze casual games across genres, Match-3, Time Management, Simulation, Indie ... Collaborate with cross-functional teams (engineering, art, QA, marketing) to ensure designs are ...

TapBlaze

Game Designer, Casual F2P

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$167K/yr

Play and deeply analyze casual games across genres, Match-3, Time Management, Simulation, Indie ... Collaborate with cross-functional teams (engineering, art, QA, marketing) to ensure designs are ...

DePaul

Adjunct Faculty in Game Design

Chicago, IL · On-site

Throughout the program, students collaborate on interdisciplinary teams with programmers, artists ... indie games, to art games, and games for change on established and experimental platforms. In ...

Mxdwn

Games Writer Intern (Unpaid)

Los Angeles, CA

... A developers like Activision and Electronic Arts to the Kickstarter-fueled Indie scene. If you're looking to jumpstart a career in game journalism, mxdwn Games is a great place to begin. If ...

mxdwn

Games Writer Intern (Unpaid)

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

... A developers like Activision and Electronic Arts to the Kickstarter-fueled Indie scene. If you're looking to jumpstart a career in game journalism, mxdwn Games is a great place to begin. If ...

PlayStation Global

Game Test Analyst

San Diego, CA · On-site

$17.75 - $18/hr

This is an entry level role and great for a recent grad! Game Testers at SIE are responsible for finding and replicating bugs/glitches and accurately reporting them to the game developers. The ideal ...

Xsolla

Ad Operations Analyst

Concord, NC · Remote

ABOUT US Xsolla is a global commerce company with robust tools and services to help developers solve the inherent challenges of the video game industry. From indie to AAA, companies partner with ...

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All JobsEntry Level Indie Game Developer Jobs

Entry Level Indie Game Developer information

See salary details

$32.5K

$108.5K

$180K

How much do entry level indie game developer jobs pay per year?

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level indie game developer in the United States is $108,471.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,500.00 and $124,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Indie Game Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Indie Game Developer, you need a solid grasp of programming fundamentals (often in languages like C# or C++), basic game design principles, and a relevant degree or portfolio showcasing your work. Familiarity with game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine and version control systems like Git is typically expected. Creativity, problem-solving ability, and strong teamwork skills help you contribute to small, collaborative teams and adapt to evolving project requirements. These competencies ensure you can effectively build, iterate, and launch engaging indie games in a competitive industry.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level indie game developers, and how can they be overcome?

Entry level indie game developers often face challenges such as limited resources, tight budgets, and wearing multiple hats within small teams. Balancing creative ambitions with practical constraints can be difficult, especially when managing time between programming, art, sound, and marketing tasks. Effective communication and collaboration with team members, utilizing accessible development tools, and participating in online communities can help overcome these hurdles. Learning to scope projects realistically and seeking feedback early in the process are also essential strategies for success.

What are entry level indie game developers?

Entry level indie game developers are individuals who are new to game development and work within small, independent teams or as solo creators to produce video games. They typically handle a range of tasks, such as programming, designing, art creation, and testing, often learning on the job and wearing multiple hats. Their focus is usually on creative projects with limited budgets, aiming to break into the gaming industry or build a portfolio. Entry level indie developers may release their games on platforms like Steam, itch.io, or mobile app stores. The role is well-suited for those passionate about games, creativity, and self-driven learning.

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

AspectEntry Level Indie Game DeveloperJunior Game Programmer
Required SkillsBasic programming, game design, creativityProgramming languages, debugging, software tools
Work EnvironmentIndependent projects, small teams, startupsGame studios, development teams, collaborative settings
Industry UsageIndie game development, small studiosGame development companies, larger studios

Both roles often require foundational programming skills and a passion for gaming. An Entry Level Indie Game Developer typically works on personal or small team projects, focusing on creativity and design, while a Junior Game Programmer is more involved in coding, debugging, and technical implementation within a professional studio environment. The roles overlap in skills but differ mainly in scope and work setting.

More about Entry Level Indie Game Developer jobs
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Indie Game Developer jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Indie Game Developer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Indie Game Developer jobs? The most popular types of Indie Game Developer jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level Indie Game Developer jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Indie Game Developer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Indie Game Developer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Indie Game Developer jobs are:
Entry Level Indie Game Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Indie Game Developer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $108,471 per year, or $52.1 per hour.
Game Artist - AI Trainer

Game Artist - AI Trainer

Handshake

On-site, Remote

Full-time, Contractor

Posted 29 days ago

Job description

Defold, Solar2D, MonoGame, libGDX, Panda3D, Cocos2d-x, and/or PyCharm User Opportunity

Handshake is looking for skilled Defold, Solar2D, MonoGame, libGDX, Panda3D, Cocos2d-x, and/or PyCharm users to support AI research through flexible, hourly contract work. This is not a traditional job. You'll draw on your hands-on experience with pixel art, sprite creation, or 2D game asset design to evaluate AI-generated content and provide feedback that helps AI better understand visual tasks and game art workflows.

This is an ongoing, project-based opportunity you can take on alongside anything else you have going on.

Who This Is For

This is a good fit if you're an experienced Defold, Solar2D, MonoGame, libGDX, Panda3D, Cocos2d-x, and/or PyCharm user who has worked in or around roles like:

  • Pixel Artist or Game Artist
  • Indie Game Developer
  • 2D Animator or Game Asset Designer

You should have solid experience with one or more of the following:

  • Sprite creation, pixel art, or 2D game asset design using Defold, Solar2D, MonoGame, libGDX, Panda3D, Cocos2d-x, and/or PyCharm
  • Annotating or labeling game art assets
  • Creating game assets following style guides or project briefs
  • Reviewing game art for quality, accuracy, or stylistic consistency

What You'll Do

You'll use your experience with Defold, Solar2D, MonoGame, libGDX, Panda3D, Cocos2d-x, and/or PyCharm to create tool-related questions and review AI-generated responses for accuracy and relevance to real-world pixel art and game asset workflows.

No prior AI or technical experience is required.

Qualifications

We're looking for people who have:

  • At least 1 year of hands-on experience with Defold, Solar2D, MonoGame, libGDX, Panda3D, Cocos2d-x, and/or PyCharm, whether through professional work or freelance projects
  • A working knowledge of pixel art and 2D game asset concepts and workflows
  • Strong written communication skills and attention to detail
  • The ability to work independently and follow written guidelines

Work Model and Project Details

  • Status: Independent contractor (not a full-time employee role)
  • Location: Fully remote; work from anywhere with a reliable internet connection and access to a desktop or laptop computer
  • Schedule: Flexible and asynchronous, with no minimum hour requirement. Many contributors work approximately 5–20 hours per week when assigned to an active project
  • Duration: The Handshake AI program runs year-round, with projects opening periodically across different areas of expertise. Placement depends on current project needs, with opportunities to be considered for future projects as they become available

Application Process

  • Create a Handshake account
  • Upload your resume and submit your portfolio
  • Verify your identity
  • Get matched and onboarded into relevant projects
  • Start working and earning

Work Authorization

Must be currently residing in the United States. F-1 students who are eligible for CPT or OPT may be eligible for projects on Handshake AI. Work with your Designated School Official to determine your eligibility. If your school requires a CPT course, Handshake AI may not meet your school's requirements. STEM OPT is not supported. See our Help Center article for more information on what types of work authorizations are supported on Handshake AI.

Apply