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Freelance Unreal Engine Developer Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Epic Games

Engine Programmer

Cary, NC · On-site

ENGINEERING - UNREAL ENGINE What We Do Unreal-powered projects have been on the bleeding edge of real-time entertainment for over 20 years. Our team of engineering experts are always innovating to ...

Epic Games

Gameplay Engineering Lead

Cary, NC · On-site

$95K - $125K/yr

What You'll Do Part of the Unreal Engine Gameplay department, you will lead a team of experienced programmers aimed at transforming Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) and Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN ...

Epic Games

Senior Language Programmer

Cary, NC · On-site

... in Unreal Engine and UEFN. You'll work on the systems every UE and UEFN developer relies on to build and ship games with Verse. In this role, you will * Extend, evolve, and maintain the Verse ...

Epic Games

Character Animation Lead

Cary, NC · On-site

Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being ...

Epic Games

Senior Technical Artist

Cary, NC · On-site

$117K - $140K/yr

Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being ...

Epic Games

Technical Designer in Animation

Cary, NC · On-site

Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being ...

Epic Games

Senior Technical Designer in Animation

Cary, NC · On-site

$98K - $112K/yr

Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being ...

Epic Games

Senior UI Programmer

Cary, NC · On-site

We're constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development. ENGINEERING - GAMES What We Do Unreal projects have been leading the pack of real-time entertainment with our constantly ...

Epic Games

Senior Producer

Cary, NC · On-site

Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being ...

Epic Games

Senior Game Security Engineer

Cary, NC · On-site

$106K - $145K/yr

We are particularly interested in those that have prior experience working with Unreal Engine. Your ... Versed in software programming principles * Understanding of online multiplayer video game ...

Epic Games

Senior Game Security Engineer

Cary, NC · On-site

ENGINEERING - EPIC GAMES SERVICES What We Do Driving the plug-in power behind Unreal Engine 5. We bridge connections for licensees and our own internal game teams to online services. This allows ...

AGBO

Generalist Engineer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

Write clean, maintainable, and well-documented code within an Unreal Engine codebase. * Identify ... Solid programming skills in C++, with practical experience in Unreal Engine (UE4 and/or UE5)

AGBO

Tools & Pipeline Engineer

Raleigh, NC

Design and develop internal tools, editor extensions, and pipeline utilities that improve developer ... Maintain and improve asset import, processing, and management pipelines within Unreal Engine.

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How much do freelance unreal engine developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance unreal engine developer in Raleigh, NC is $22.33, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.22 and $18.22 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Freelance Unreal Engine Developer vs Freelance Game Designer?

AspectFreelance Unreal Engine DeveloperFreelance Game Designer
Skills & CertificationsProficiency in Unreal Engine, C++, 3D modeling, scriptingGame concept development, storytelling, level design, UI/UX
Work EnvironmentProject-based, technical, often remoteCreative, collaborative, often remote or studio-based
Industry UsageGame development, virtual production, simulationsGame design, narrative development, level creation

While both roles work within the gaming industry, a Freelance Unreal Engine Developer focuses on coding, technical implementation, and engine customization, whereas a Freelance Game Designer emphasizes creative concept development, storylines, and level design. Understanding these differences helps clients find the right freelancer for their project needs.

How much do freelance Unreal Engine developers make?

Freelance Unreal Engine developers typically earn between $25 and $150 per hour, depending on experience, project complexity, and location. Experienced developers with specialized skills in 3D modeling, scripting, and real-time rendering can command higher rates, especially for complex or long-term projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance Unreal Engine developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Unreal Engine Developer, you need strong proficiency in C++ programming, 3D graphics, and a solid understanding of game development principles, often supported by a relevant degree or portfolio. Experience with Unreal Engine's Blueprint system, source control tools like Git, and familiarity with industry-standard asset pipelines are typically required. Exceptional problem-solving, communication, and time management skills help freelancers stand out when collaborating remotely and meeting client deadlines. These skills and qualifications are crucial for delivering high-quality interactive experiences efficiently and maintaining a strong professional reputation in a competitive market.

What does a freelance Unreal Engine developer do?

A Freelance Unreal Engine Developer specializes in creating interactive experiences, games, simulations, or visualizations using Unreal Engine, a powerful real-time 3D creation tool. They work independently, often contracted by studios or clients to build, optimize, and implement features within Unreal Engine projects. Their responsibilities can include programming in C++, creating and integrating assets, setting up blueprints, and collaborating with designers and artists. Freelance developers must also manage their own schedules and client communications. This role requires both technical skills and the ability to adapt to a variety of project needs.

What are some common challenges freelance Unreal Engine developers face when working with remote teams?

Freelance Unreal Engine developers often collaborate with remote teams spread across different time zones, which can make communication and project coordination challenging. Ensuring that code and assets are properly integrated in a shared repository requires diligence and clear documentation. Additionally, freelancers must proactively manage their time, deliverables, and expectations, as project requirements can change rapidly. Building strong relationships and maintaining regular updates with clients and team members helps mitigate these challenges and ensures successful project outcomes.
What are the most commonly searched types of Unreal Engine Developer jobs in Raleigh, NC? The most popular types of Unreal Engine Developer jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What are popular job titles related to Freelance Unreal Engine Developer jobs in Raleigh, NC? For Freelance Unreal Engine Developer jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Freelance Unreal Engine Developer jobs in Raleigh, NC look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Unreal Engine Developer jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Freelance Unreal Engine Developer jobs? Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Freelance Unreal Engine Developer job openings:
Freelance Unreal Engine Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Unreal Engine Developer job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 7% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,438 per year, or $22.3 per hour.

Engine Programmer

Epic Games

Cary, NC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

WHAT MAKES US EPIC?
At the core of Epic's success are talented, passionate people. Epic prides itself on creating a collaborative, welcoming, and creative environment. Whether it's building award-winning games or crafting engine technology that enables others to make visually stunning interactive experiences, we're always innovating.
Being Epic means being a part of a team that continually strives to do right by our community and users. We're constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development.
ENGINEERING - UNREAL ENGINE
What We Do
Unreal-powered projects have been on the bleeding edge of real-time entertainment for over 20 years. Our team of engineering experts are always innovating to improve the tools and technology that empower content developers worldwide.
What You'll Do
The Fortnite Tech Desktop team is looking for an experienced Engine Programmer to enhance the player experience on the PC platform. You will work with other engineers and directly contribute to building and improving our Desktop platform support to an industry-leading state.
This role covers a wide range of specialties, focusing on stability and performance engineering and ensuring critical features are available and performant for the Fortnite user base.
In this role, you will
  • Analyze and resolve stability and performance problems of Fortnite on a wide range of PC hardware configurations; this includes identifying solutions in such areas as:
    • Solving CPU and GPU performance and compatibility issues
    • Making improvements to platform toolchains, i.e., compiler/linker support, SDK upgrades, platform-specific data management tools, debugger integration, crash reporting, etc.
    • Improvements in low-level systems that interface with platform APIs, i.e., memory allocators (physical and virtual), file systems, and input systems
  • Monitor stability and performance data from Fortnite releases, address live issues that players are facing, and improve Unreal Engine's systems and applications in Fortnite-specific use cases
  • Build and maintain Fortnite's support across PC storefronts, operating systems, and architectures, including Epic Games Store and Microsoft Store builds and Windows on ARM
  • Collaborate with a variety of other Epic teams within Fortnite and Unreal Engine to help them solve complex technical challenges in ways that move the stability and quality of Fortnite and our internal products forward
What we're looking for
  • Strong C++ knowledge and multi-threaded programming techniques; ability to code and architect various core engine systems
  • Experience in profiling and optimizing a large codebase
  • Ability to diagnose, debug, and action complex problems coming from a live-service title and experience in handling stability issues
  • Demonstrated ability to reason about and debug large, interacting systems from the macro-level to the micro-level
  • Experience with Linux, such as profiling and optimizing code that also runs on servers, is preferred
  • Experience with OS-level systems, Windows/Linux APIs, and common frameworks is a plus
EPIC JOB + EPIC BENEFITS = EPIC LIFE
Our intent is to cover all things that are medically necessary and improve the quality of life. We pay 100% of the premiums for both you and your dependents. Our coverage includes Medical, Dental, a Vision HRA, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance & a 401k with competitive match. We also offer a robust mental well-being program through Modern Health, which provides free therapy and coaching for employees & dependents. Throughout the year we celebrate our employees with events and company-wide paid breaks. We offer unlimited PTO and sick time and recognize individuals for 7 years of employment with a paid sabbatical.
ABOUT US
Epic Games is a leading interactive entertainment company. For over 30 years we've been making award-winning games and engine technology that empowers others to make visually stunning games and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being embraced by content creators across a variety of industries such as media and entertainment, automotive, and architectural design. As we continue to build our Engine technology and develop remarkable games, we strive to build teams of world-class talent.
Like what you hear? Come be a part of something Epic!
Epic Games deeply values diverse teams and an inclusive work culture, and we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. Learn more about our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy here.
Note to Recruitment Agencies: Epic does not accept any unsolicited resumes or approaches from any unauthorized third party (including recruitment or placement agencies) (i.e., a third party with whom we do not have a negotiated and validly executed agreement). We will not pay any fees to any unauthorized third party. Further details on these matters can be found here.

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