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Game Design Internship Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Epic Games

Gameplay Programmer Intern

Cary, NC · On-site

$119K - $132K/yr

We're constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development. ENGINEERING - GAMES ... The ability to react and respond effectively to constructive feedback This internship has a ...

Epic Games

Tech Art Intern

Cary, NC · On-site

... internship. For more information about Epic's Early Career Program, visit epicgames.com ... design. As we continue to build our Engine technology and develop remarkable games, we strive to ...

Epic Games

Tools Programmer Intern

Cary, NC · On-site

... internship. For more information about Epic's Early Career Program, visit epicgames.com ... design. As we continue to build our Engine technology and develop remarkable games, we strive to ...

All JobsGame Design JobsGame Design Internship JobsGame Design Internship Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Game Design Internship information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$8

$18

$35

How much do game design internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for game design internship in Raleigh, NC is $18.84, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.04 and $21.01 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a game design internship?

A Game Design Internship is a temporary position that allows students or recent graduates to gain practical experience in the game development industry. Interns typically assist with various aspects of game design, such as creating game concepts, designing levels, testing gameplay, and providing feedback on user experience. These internships are valuable for building a portfolio, making industry connections, and learning industry-standard tools and processes. They often work closely with experienced designers and development teams to understand the full cycle of game creation.

What types of projects and tasks can I expect to work on during a game design internship?

As a Game Design Intern, you can expect to participate in a variety of hands-on projects, such as designing game levels, prototyping gameplay mechanics, and contributing to brainstorming sessions with the design team. You'll often collaborate with artists, programmers, and producers to help implement features or refine existing gameplay elements. Interns are typically given opportunities to playtest games, provide feedback, and document their design ideas. The fast-paced and creative environment provides valuable exposure to the full game development pipeline, making it an excellent learning experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a game design intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Game Design Intern, you need a foundational understanding of game mechanics, storytelling, and user experience, often supported by coursework or personal projects in game development. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as Unity, Unreal Engine, and graphic design software, as well as basic scripting knowledge, is typically required. Creativity, teamwork, and strong communication are vital soft skills to effectively collaborate and share ideas within a development team. These skills and qualities are important because they enable interns to contribute meaningful ideas, adapt to feedback, and support the fast-paced, collaborative nature of game development.

What is the difference between Game Design Internship vs Game Development Internship?

AspectGame Design InternshipGame Development Internship
Required SkillsCreativity, storytelling, level designProgramming, software engineering, technical skills
Work EnvironmentDesign teams, creative departmentsProgramming teams, technical departments
Industry UsageUsed in game studios focusing on design and user experienceUsed in studios focusing on coding and technical development
Common Search IntentUnderstanding design roles in gamingUnderstanding technical roles in gaming

Game Design Internships focus on creative aspects like storytelling, level design, and user experience, while Game Development Internships emphasize programming and technical development. Both roles are essential in game studios but cater to different skill sets and career paths.

What are the most commonly searched types of Game Design jobs in Raleigh, NC?

The most popular types of Game Design jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What are popular job titles related to Game Design Internship jobs in Raleigh, NC?

For Game Design Internship jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Game Design Internship jobs in Raleigh, NC look for?

The top searched job categories for Game Design Internship jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Game Design Internship jobs?

Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Game Design Internship job openings:

Game Design Internship jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Design Internship job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 34% Internship, 33% Part Time, and 33% Temporary. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $39,179 per year, or $18.8 per hour.

Gameplay Programmer Intern

Cary, NC • On-site

Epic Games
PC Games • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Epic Gamesexternal

$119K - $132K/yr

Internship

Posted 12 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 - GAMES
What We Do
Unreal projects have been leading the pack of real-time entertainment with our constantly growing team of engineering experts. We're always improving on the tools and technology that empower content developers worldwide.
GAMEPLAY PROGRAMMER INTERN
What You'll Do
We are taking LEGO Fortnite to the next level with continuous live improvements and additions. As a Gameplay Programmer Intern, you will contribute to the development of core gameplay features for our updates and get hands-on experience working alongside other programmers, designers, and artists.
In this role, you will
  • Assist in prototyping and implementing gameplay features in collaboration with art and design
  • Help debug, test, and fix bugs in gameplay systems
  • Learn to write clean, maintainable C++ code in Unreal Engine
  • Participate in team discussions, offering ideas and feedback
What we're looking for
  • Strong C++ knowledge
  • Interest in gameplay programming
  • Strong problem-solving skills
  • Passion for learning things and delivering results
  • Great interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to communicate within a team
  • The ability to react and respond effectively to constructive feedback

This internship has a flexible start date in 2027. Recruitment will be ongoing until teams find an ideal match. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the posting location for the duration of the internship. For more information about Epic's Early Career Program, visit epicgames.com/earlycareers. This is going to be Epic!
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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