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Full Time 2D Game Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Embedding VC

Founding Game Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$182K/yr

Pebble first version is a 2D exploration game built in Godot 4. Children explore a procedurally ... The game designer's job isn't to build levels, it's to design the systems and constraints that make ...

Cat Daddy

Game Designer

Kirkland, WA · On-site

$78K - $116K/yr

Cat Daddy is seeking a Game Designer to join our team of artists, engineers, and product managers ... Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including ...

2K

Game Designer

Kirkland, WA · On-site

$78K - $116K/yr

Cat Daddy is seeking a Game Designer to join our team of artists, engineers, and product managers ... Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including ...

Booz Allen Hamilton

Game Designer

Washington, DC

$77K - $176K/yr

Game Designer The Opportunity: As a game designer, you're excited at the prospect of unlocking the ... Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible ...

Templar Media

Lead Game Designer

Alpharetta, GA · On-site

The Lead Designer should have excellent game design ability in both single and multiplayer and be a ... This position is full-time onsite at our studio in Alpharetta, GA.

Zynga

Principal Game Designer

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$107K - $158K/yr

Zynga is looking for an experienced Principal Game Designer to work on one of our new mobile games ... Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including ...

Sawhorse Productions

Roblox 2D Artist

Los Angeles, CA · Remote

$20 - $50/hr

Experience: 2 plus years of experience as a 2D Artist or Graphic Designer, ideally within games, UGC platforms, or interactive media. * Roblox Familiarity: Hands-on experience creating art for Roblox ...

Arrow International, Inc

Senior Artist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$130K - $156K/yr

Job Type Full-time Description Arrow International is the world's largest manufacturer and supplier ... Create and animate high-quality 2D game assets and VFX. * Ensure timely delivery of assets to meet ...

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Full Time 2D Game Designer information

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$47K

$156K

How much do full time 2d game designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for full time 2d game designer in the United States is $149,118.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $155,000.00 and $155,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the definition of full?

In the context of a full-time 2D game designer position, 'full' typically refers to a standard work schedule, usually around 35-40 hours per week, with benefits and consistent employment. It contrasts with part-time roles, which involve fewer hours and often lack certain benefits. Full-time positions often require a commitment to regular hours and may include additional responsibilities such as collaboration with teams and use of design tools like Photoshop or Unity.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Full Time 2D Game Designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Full Time 2D Game Designer, you need strong artistic abilities, a solid understanding of game design principles, and proficiency in visual storytelling, typically supported by a relevant degree or portfolio. Familiarity with digital art tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine is commonly required. Creativity, collaboration, and effective communication are essential soft skills that help you work well with developers and other creatives. These skills ensure the creation of visually engaging and cohesive game experiences that resonate with players and meet production goals.

What is the synonym for full?

In the context of a full-time 2D game designer position, the word 'full' is synonymous with 'complete' or 'entire,' indicating a role that requires working the standard full workweek, typically around 40 hours. It signifies a permanent employment status with consistent hours, often involving collaboration with a team using design tools like Photoshop or Unity.

What is the difference between Full Time 2D Game Designer vs 2D Game Artist?

AspectFull Time 2D Game Designer2D Game Artist
Primary RoleDesigns game mechanics, levels, and gameplay conceptsCreates visual assets, characters, and backgrounds
Required SkillsGame design, storytelling, user experienceDrawing, illustration, graphic design
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with developers and writers in game studiosWorks closely with designers and developers on visual assets
Common CertificationsGame design degrees, portfolioArt degrees, illustration portfolio

While both roles are essential in game development, a Full Time 2D Game Designer focuses on gameplay and mechanics, whereas a 2D Game Artist specializes in creating visual assets. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the gaming industry.

What does a Full Time 2D Game Designer do?

A Full Time 2D Game Designer is responsible for creating the visual elements and gameplay concepts for 2D video games. They design characters, environments, user interfaces, and animations, working closely with other team members like programmers and writers to bring the game's vision to life. Their work often involves sketching concepts, developing storyboards, and using digital tools to produce game assets. Full Time 2D Game Designers play a key role in shaping the game's look, feel, and overall player experience.

What are some common challenges faced by full-time 2D game designers when collaborating with artists and developers?

Full-time 2D game designers often encounter challenges in ensuring their design vision is faithfully executed while working with artists and developers. Balancing creative ideas with technical limitations, such as performance constraints or platform requirements, can be demanding. Clear communication is essential to align the art style, animations, and gameplay mechanics, and regular feedback sessions help prevent misunderstandings. Successfully navigating these collaboration points leads to a cohesive and engaging game experience.
What cities are hiring for Full Time 2D Game Designer jobs? Cities with the most Full Time 2D Game Designer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of 2D Game Designer jobs? The most popular types of 2D Game Designer jobs are:
What states have the most Full Time 2D Game Designer jobs? States with the most job openings for Full Time 2D Game Designer jobs include:
Full Time 2D Game Designer jobs near you

Founding Game Designer

Embedding VC

San Francisco, CA • On-site, Remote

$182K/yr

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago

Job description

Pebble - Founding Game Designer
About us
We're second-time founders and former Google and Synthesia leaders (Search, Voice, and Assistant). We're assembling a core team of engineers, artists and educators to build the interface between AI and childhood.
The problem we're solving
Kids between 6 and 10 spend hours every day on screens, but most digital content is passive (TV, YouTube) or repetitive (apps, games). Parents want safe, engaging, and educationally positive experiences. Kids crave play, parents crave development and safety, and the industry hasn't bridged that gap.
Our product
Pebble is building the first generative learning world. If you've read the Diamond Age, you know what that means. If you haven't, this video will bring you up to speed.
Pebble first version is a 2D exploration game built in Godot 4. Children explore a procedurally generated world alongside an AI companion character they interact with through voice. Conversations are open-ended, not scripted. The companion isn't a sidekick, it's the core relationship that drives engagement, learning and emotional investment.
The design challenge is unlike traditional game design. The world is generated and the narrative is emergent. The content adapts to each child's interests and developmental needs in real time. The game designer's job isn't to build levels, it's to design the systems and constraints that make a generative world feel coherent and worth coming back to.
Founders
Guillaume (CPTO): First product hire at Synthesia, where he scaled from $3 to $100M ARR and helped define the category of AI video. Spent 7 years at Google as a PM on Search. Dad of two (ages 7 and 9), giving him a front-row seat to what captivates and educates kids today.
Lio (CEO): Second-time entrepreneur: founder of Neoplants, raised $25M+ from top-tier US investors. Ex-Google PMM, part of the original Google Assistant EMEA launch team (2017). Creative technologist and product builder with 15 years across tech, storytelling, and consumer launches.
About you
You think of yourself as a pirate. Wait, maybe that's too specific. A bear will do too. The point is, you want to bring something special to this world. Something wonderful.
In corporate speak, we might say that we're looking for an ambitious and forward looking Game Designer who's excited at the prospect of inventing a new gaming paradigm with AI at its core. You're comfortable thinking from first principles about what makes a great game. You understand what AI will change and what will remain the same. You've worked on 2+ games from scratch, at reputable studios or on your own. You have strong opinions about what the future of games look like.
What we're looking for, really, is someone who knows games in and out, and wants to join us to build something extraordinary for children.
The role
You'll be Pebble's first game designer, responsible for defining how an AI-powered world actually feels to play. That means designing the exploration systems, pacing, and progression mechanics that make kids want to come back, not through dark patterns, but through genuine curiosity and a deepening relationship with an AI companion character. You'll work at the intersection of game design, child development, and generative AI, building design frameworks from scratch in a Godot 4 environment where the content is procedural and the interactions are voice-driven.
This is a unique opportunity to create a completely new kind of game experience that goes beyond entertainment. This is an opportunity to shape the future of parenting and education in the age of AI.
Requirements
You have:
  • Shipped at least one game or interactive product where you owned core design decisions: progression, pacing, systems, or economy design.
  • A portfolio or body of work that demonstrates systems thinking: you can show how you designed rules that produced emergent player behaviour, not just authored fixed content.
  • The ability to prototype quickly and iterate based on playtesting, not just theory.
  • Strong design communication skills. You can write a clear design doc, argue for a mechanic, and explain your reasoning to engineers and non-designers without hand-waving.

You're comfortable with:
  • Being the first designer. There's no existing design language, style guide, or established framework. You'll be making foundational calls with incomplete information and revising them as you learn.
  • Providing a strong input on the visual side. You have a strong visual eye and opinions about art direction
  • Designing for an audience that isn't you. Our players are 6-10 years old. You don't need a background in child development, but you need genuine curiosity about how kids think, play, and learn.
  • Working with generative systems. Much of Pebble's content is procedural and AI-driven, which means you're designing constraints, rules, and possibility spaces rather than hand-crafting every encounter.

Nice to have:
  • Experience with Godot, or any 2D game engine's design/prototyping tools.
  • Familiarity with educational game design, edutainment, or serious games.
  • Interest in or exposure to AI/LLM-powered interactive experiences.
  • Experience designing for young children or family audiences.

Genuinely optional:
  • Charizard card in mint condition to add to our cabinet of curiosities
Work conditions
  • Salary up to 80k-110k GBP depending on experience
  • Strong equity component
  • In person work from London Shoreditch, open to remote for the right candidate

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