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Game Developer Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

COMPANY OVERVIEW XCEL Engineering, Inc. is an award-winning small business that provides trusted information technology, engineering, consulting and project management solutions and services to ...

COMPANY OVERVIEW XCEL Engineering, Inc. is an award-winning small business that provides trusted information technology, engineering, consulting and project management solutions and services to ...

COMPANY OVERVIEW XCEL Engineering, Inc. is an award-winning small business that provides trusted information technology, engineering, consulting and project management solutions and services to ...

Software Developer Full-time job, 40 hours per week Pay/Salary: $135,304.00 year. Number of Openings: 5 Location: MI Softech Inc, 71 Peyton Parkway, Ste 103, Collierville, TN 38017 Website: Posting ...

Software Developer Full-time job, 40 hours per week Pay/Salary: $135,304.00 year. Number of Openings: 5 Location: MI Softech Inc, 71 Peyton Parkway, Ste 103, Collierville, TN 38017 Website: Posting ...

Software Developer Full-time job, 40 hours per week Pay/Salary: $135,304.00 year. Number of Openings: 5 Location: MI Softech Inc, 71 Peyton Parkway, Ste 103, Collierville, TN 38017 Website: Posting ...

Software Developer

Nashville, TN · On-site

$70K - $150K/yr

Founded by developers for developers, our team is solely focused on solving problems by writing great code for our clients. We look for versatile developers that understand code at a fundamental ...

Software Developer

Nashville, TN · On-site

$70K - $150K/yr

Founded by developers for developers, our team is solely focused on solving problems by writing great code for our clients. We look for versatile developers that understand code at a fundamental ...

Founded by developers for developers, our team is solely focused on solving problems by writing great code for our clients. We look for versatile developers that understand code at a fundamental ...

Be Seen First

Software Developer

Nashville, TN · On-site

$75K - $140K/yr

Software Developer Position in Nashville Suburb Highlights Quality Manufacturing Systems, Inc., specializes in manufacturing automation controls and systems integration. Our primary focus is custom ...

Be Seen First

Software Developer

Nashville, TN · On-site

$75K - $140K/yr

Software Developer Position in Nashville Suburb Highlights Quality Manufacturing Systems, Inc., specializes in manufacturing automation controls and systems integration. Our primary focus is custom ...

This is an early-stage leadership opportunity with real skin in the game. * True engineering culture: We build, we test, we fix, we deploy. Compensation & Benefits * Competitive salary + equity stake ...

This is an early-stage leadership opportunity with real skin in the game. * True engineering culture: We build, we test, we fix, we deploy. Compensation & Benefits * Competitive salary + equity stake ...

This is an early-stage leadership opportunity with real skin in the game. * True engineering culture: We build, we test, we fix, we deploy. Compensation & Benefits * Competitive salary + equity stake ...

REVELxp - FANgineer, Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN · On-site

$17.75 - $20.25/hr

FANgineers play a vital role in the success of the hospitality program and game days - they help engineer a great experience by providing the highest level of hospitality for our fans in the premium ...

Showing results 41-60

Game Developer information

See Tennessee salary details

$29.5K

$98.5K

$163.4K

How much do game developer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for game developer in Tennessee is $98,450.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,000.00 and $112,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a game developer?

As a game developer, you write the code for video game software. Your code, combined with the work of other developers, brings video games to life on computers and gaming consoles. Your responsibilities are to design core game features and to collaborate with a team of other developers, graphic designers, and artists. Your job duties include game testing, debugging, and production in all aspects of gaming—player character creation, non-player characters, backgrounds, and gameplay. Being a gamer yourself gives you a solid understanding of the importance of game mechanics and storytelling.

What does a game developer do?

A game developer is responsible for designing, creating, and programming video games for computers, consoles, or mobile devices. Their work involves coding, testing, and debugging game software, as well as collaborating with artists, designers, and other team members to bring a game concept to life. Game developers may specialize in areas like gameplay programming, graphics, or artificial intelligence, and often use game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine to build their projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a game developer?

To thrive as a Game Developer, you need strong programming skills (often in C++, C#, or Java), a solid understanding of computer graphics, and a relevant degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, version control systems, and sometimes certifications in these platforms are commonly required. Creative problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication distinguish top performers in this field. These abilities are crucial for building engaging, technically robust games and collaborating successfully within multidisciplinary development teams.

What are some common challenges game developers face when working on large team projects?

Game developers working on large team projects often encounter challenges such as coordinating across multiple disciplines (programming, art, design, audio), ensuring clear communication, and managing dependencies between different parts of the game. Balancing creative vision with technical constraints and deadlines can also be demanding. Adapting to shifting priorities and integrating feedback from playtesting are key aspects of the collaborative process, making strong teamwork and flexibility essential in this role.

What is the difference between Game Developer vs Game Designer?

AspectGame DeveloperGame Designer
Primary RoleProgram and build game mechanics, code, and softwareDesign game concepts, storylines, and gameplay experiences
Skills & CertificationsProgramming languages (C++, C#), software developmentCreative design, storytelling, game design tools
Work EnvironmentDevelopment teams, coding environments, software studiosDesign teams, creative studios, collaborative spaces
Industry UsageUsed across game studios for technical implementationUsed for conceptualization and gameplay design

While both roles are essential in game development, Game Developers focus on coding and technical implementation, whereas Game Designers craft the gameplay experience and story. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and collaboration in the gaming industry.

Is a game developer a good career?

A game developer creates video games and typically requires skills in programming, design, and software tools like Unity or Unreal Engine. The field offers opportunities for creativity and growth, but it can also involve long hours and competitive job markets. Overall, it can be a rewarding career for those passionate about gaming and technology.

What jobs can a game developer do?

A game developer can work in roles such as game programmer, game designer, level designer, graphics programmer, or technical artist. They often collaborate with artists, sound designers, and project managers, and may specialize in areas like mobile, console, or PC game development using tools like Unity or Unreal Engine.

What are the most commonly searched types of Game Developer jobs in Tennessee?

The most popular types of Game Developer jobs in Tennessee are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Game Developer jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Game Developer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Game Developer jobs in TN?

For Game Developer jobs in TN, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Game Developer job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 8% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,450 per year, or $47.3 per hour.

Full Stack Developer

Xcel Engineering

Oak Ridge, TN • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago


Job description

COMPANY OVERVIEW

XCEL Engineering, Inc. is an award-winning small business that provides trusted information technology, engineering, consulting and project management solutions and services to federal agencies and organizations. Originally founded in 1971 by professional engineers at the University of Tennessee, XCEL was acquired in 2003 by U.S. Army and Navy veterans and in 2023 became a MartinFed company.

XCEL Engineering is a part of IT Lab Partners (ITLP) which was created to support Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in recruiting the best and the brightest technical talent to East Tennessee region. ORNL delivers scientific discoveries and technical breakthroughs needed to realize energy and national security solutions and provides economic benefit to the nation. This premier research institution near Knoxville in Oak Ridge, TN, addresses national needs through impactful research and world-leading research centers.

Considering joining our impressive team supporting ORNL today!

JOB OVERVIEW

XCEL Engineering is seeking a versatile Full Stack Software Engineer to support multiple concurrent software projects within a Department of Energy (DOE) Research & Development environment. This role requires an on-site presence and close collaboration with technical teams, stakeholders, and government clients. The ideal candidate is comfortable working across the entire development lifecycle from gathering client requirements and translating concepts into technical designs, through development, testing, deployment, and long-term support. Candidates must be adaptable, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities in a structured, security-focused environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Collaborate with government clients and internal stakeholders to gather, analyze, and refine technical and functional requirements.
  • Design, architect, and develop full-stack applications from concept to completion.
  • Work on multiple simultaneous projects with varying timelines and technical scopes.
  • Develop scalable backend services and APIs.
  • Build responsive, user-friendly front-end interfaces aligned with UI/UX best practices.
  • Participate in code reviews, testing, debugging, and performance optimization.
  • Maintain documentation for system architecture, code, and processes.
  • Ensure compliance with security, privacy, and operational standards required in a federal R&D environment.
  • Provide ongoing maintenance, enhancements, and technical support for deployed applications.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor's degree in a scientific field or equivalent combination of education and experience coupled with 8 years of software development experience.
  • Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field (or equivalent practical experience).
  • 3+ years of professional full-stack development experience
    • JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, SQL
    • Backend Frameworks-Fast API
    • Frontend FrameworksVue.js 2 & Vue.js 3
    • State Management-Pinia
    • UI Libraries-Vuetify
    • Databases-PostgreSQL
    • Other Technologies-GraphQL
  • Demonstrated experience delivering production-ready applications end-to-end.
  • Strong communication skills and ability to translate business needs into technical solutions.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain any required facility clearances or background checks.
  • Work Environment On-site presence is required due to the secure nature of the facility.
  • Collaborative, mission-driven R&D atmosphere.
  • Opportunity to contribute to projects with national-level impact and long-term technical value.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Java development experience
  • Experience working in government, national laboratory, or regulated environments
  • Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices
  • Containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)Experience with automated testing frameworks

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

  • Inside office environment.
  • Working on a computer for long periods of time.
  • May involve long period of sitting at a desk.
  • The work environment is fast-paced and sometimes involves extreme deadline pressures.

OTHER DUTIES

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Xcel Engineering is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, religious creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, transgender, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, protected Veteran Status, genetics or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or disabled veteran, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access Xcel Engineering's current openings as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by calling 855.212.1810. Thank you for your interest in Xcel Engineering.

All positions at Xcel Engineering, Inc. are contingent upon passing both a background check and drug screening prior to a start date and are subject to random drug screenings during the employment period. In addition, Xcel Engineering is an E-Verify employer.