1

Game Developer Jobs in Charleston, SC (NOW HIRING)

At Side, we partner with some of the world's leading developers and publishers to solve complex production challenges and help bring exceptional games to life. From concept through live operations ...

New

At Side, we partner with some of the world's leading developers and publishers to solve complex production challenges and help bring exceptional games to life. From concept through live operations ...

At Side, we partner with some of the world's leading developers and publishers to solve complex production challenges and help bring exceptional games to life. From concept through live operations ...

Lead Engineer

Charleston, SC

$95K - $126K/yr

Side is a global game development and services partner, working alongside many of the world's leading developers and publishers. From co-development and engineering to art, audio, QA, localization ...

New

At Side, we partner with some of the world's leading developers and publishers to solve complex production challenges and help bring exceptional games to life. From concept through live operations ...

New

Software Developer

Hanahan, SC · On-site

$29.33 - $44/hr

PEMCCO is seeking a Software Developer to develop, modify, test, document, and maintain software solutions that support business, technical, and operational objectives. This is an excellent ...

Software Developer

Hanahan, SC · On-site

$29.33 - $44/hr

PEMCCO is seeking a Software Developer to develop, modify, test, document, and maintain software solutions that support business, technical, and operational objectives. This is an excellent ...

Software Developer

Hanahan, SC · On-site

$29.33 - $44/hr

PEMCCO is seeking a Software Developer to develop, modify, test, document, and maintain software solutions that support business, technical, and operational objectives. This is an excellent ...

Works with Government Systems Engineering and Software Development teams to Identify and prioritize enhancement implementation and bug fixes. * Coordinates with user to identify data availability ...

Works with Government Systems Engineering and Software Development teams to Identify and prioritize enhancement implementation and bug fixes. * Coordinates with user to identify data availability ...

Software Developer (Junior-Mid) Location: Remote Who We Are: Tuesday Health is a value-based palliative care provider group dedicated to transforming serious illness and end-of-life care. We deliver ...

Think, try, and thrive with us in collaborative work environments that spark game-changing concepts. Job Overview: Reporting to the Engineering Manager, the Engineering Intern provides the best ...

Showing results 21-40

Game Developer information

See Charleston, SC salary details

$30.4K

$101.5K

$168.4K

How much do game developer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for game developer in Charleston, SC is $101,509.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,300.00 and $116,000.00 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 Charleston, SC?

The most popular types of Game Developer jobs in Charleston, SC are:

What job categories do people searching Game Developer jobs in Charleston, SC look for?

The top searched job categories for Game Developer jobs in Charleston, SC are:

What cities near Charleston, SC are hiring for Game Developer jobs?

Cities near Charleston, SC with the most Game Developer job openings:

Infographic showing various Game Developer job openings in Charleston, SC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,509 per year, or $48.8 per hour.

Programming - (Various Disciplines) - Talent Pool (N America)

side

Charleston, SC • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago


Job description

About This Opportunity:

Please note, this listing is not for an immediate open position but for our Talent Pool for Co-Development Roles. By applying, you are expressing interest in being considered for future project-based opportunities that align with your skills and experience.

These opportunities are contingent on client needs and project availability. As projects are initiated or client proposals are developed, we will review candidates from this pool and contact those who most closely align with the requirements of the specific or prospective co-development opportunity.

How We Keep You Engaged:

We believe in maintaining strong relationships with our talent pool. As part of this community, you’ll receive regular updates, industry insights, and will be kept informed of upcoming opportunities. We will also check in to confirm your availability and interest.

Our hiring teams will carefully vet and select top candidates who best meet project needs, ensuring that you are matched with the right opportunity when it becomes available.

Next Steps:

If you are passionate about contributing to cutting-edge projects and want to be considered for future co-development opportunities, we encourage you to apply to this listing. While there may not be an immediate opening, your application ensures that you will be part of our ongoing talent review for upcoming roles.

We are building a diverse and skilled pool of engineering talent in São Paulo to support current and future co-development projects across a wide variety of game genres and technical challenges. This is a general application for candidates with experience in AI, Gameplay, Systems, Tools, Engine, Animation, Networking, Live Ops, DevOps, or Cloud Services.
If you’re an engineer with a background in any of these areas or want to explore cross-functional opportunities, this is your invitation to get on our radar.

Only resumes submitted in English will be considered.

Requirements

Responsibilities
Depending on your area of expertise, you may:
•Design, build, and optimize gameplay systems, AI behaviors, animation pipelines, or core engine architecture
•Develop and maintain tools that empower content creators, designers, and QA teams
•Contribute to Live Ops, build pipelines, or deployment systems for scalable and stable game delivery
•Implement and refine networking, multiplayer architecture, or backend services for seamless player experiences
•Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to ensure smooth integration of art, design, and systems
•Profile and optimize performance, memory usage, and load times across platforms
•Troubleshoot bugs, resolve bottlenecks, and propose clean, maintainable solutions
Qualifications
Experience
•3 or more years of professional experience in engineering roles in games or related tech fields
•Shipped at least one title on PC, console, mobile, or VR/AR
•Experience in one or more areas such as gameplay, AI, tools, systems, engine, animation tech, backend services, cloud, or DevOps
Technical Skills
•Proficiency in C++, C#, Python, or equivalent languages
•Hands-on experience with Unity, Unreal Engine, or proprietary engines
•Familiarity with source control, debugging tools, performance profiling, and agile workflows
Collaboration and Communication
•Comfortable working in cross-functional teams with artists, designers, and producers
•Clear written and verbal communication for documenting and sharing technical solutions
Mindset
•Proactive, curious, and solution-oriented
•Passionate about games, scalable systems, and collaborative development
Preferred Skills
•Experience with AAA pipelines, real-time rendering, or platform certification
•Exposure to cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP and CI/CD pipelines
•Familiarity with Live Ops strategies, telemetry, and remote content deployment
•Prior co-dev experience or working with distributed teams

Note: Specific requirements may vary depending on project needs.
About the Talent Pool

This is a general engineering application. We encourage all qualified engineers to apply regardless of specialization. We regularly review this pool when staffing new or ongoing projects, so even if there isn’t an open role now, joining ensures you’ll be top of mind when client needs arise.

Please note, this listing is not for an immediate open position but for our Talent Pool for Co-Development Roles. By applying, you are expressing interest in being considered for future project-based opportunities that align with your skills and experience.

Benefits

  • Competitive Salary.
  • Dynamic, multicultural and fun environment.
  • You will be working for the world's leading provider of game services.
  • We empower our people and offer regular progression opportunities to ensure our employees flourish.

About Side

Side (formerly PTW) is a global video game development and services provider, offering technical and creative solutions to many of the largest developers and studios around the world. Founded in 2009 and drawing on 30+ years' experience from our parent company in Japan, Side has since grown to become a global force with 20 studios in 14 countries across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia.

Our industry-leading services include game development, art production, audio production, quality assurance, localization, localization QA, player support, community management, and datasets.

Help us bring stories to the world! Join a global team of passionate gamers and contribute to delivering unforgettable game experiences.

Experience our side of life. For more information, visit www.side.inc