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Game Developer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

DePaul

Adjunct Faculty in Computer Science

Chicago, IL · On-site

Advanced areas of instruction include systems, real time and game programming, data mining, databases, security, theory, and artificial intelligence. Considerations: Exceptions to standard rates may ...

QT9 SOFTWARE INC

.NET Developer - QMS

Aurora, IL · On-site

$70K - $105K/yr

Cool amenities from Golf Simulator, Sport Court and Arcade games. * Growing team with a small ... NET Developer for our QMS team. In this role, you will design, develop, and maintain complex .NET ...

QT9 Software

.NET Developer - QMS

Aurora, IL · On-site

$70K - $105K/yr

Cool amenities from Golf Simulator, Sport Court and Arcade games. * Growing team with a small ... NET Developer for our QMS team. In this role, you will design, develop, and maintain complex .NET ...

QT9 Software, Inc.

.NET Developer - QMS

Aurora, IL · On-site

$70K - $105K/yr

Cool amenities from Golf Simulator, Sport Court and Arcade games. * Growing team with a small ... NET Developer for our QMS team. In this role, you will design, develop, and maintain complex .NET ...

Branchfire, Inc

iOS Developer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$53.25 - $73.50/hr

We're looking for the best engineers out there to join our team and help bring our new game-changing product to market. You'll be part of a small, high-caliber development team, and primarily ...

Brodie Sports Group

Scorekeeper

Chicago, IL · On-site

$15/hr

Track the live game score on both the scoreboard and the BallerTV live stream * Reset the shot clock accurately on all applicable plays (full 24-second and 14-second resets) * Record team fouls ...

QT9 Software, Inc.

.NET Developer - QMS

Aurora, IL

$70K - $105K/yr

Cool amenities from Golf Simulator, Sport Court and Arcade games. * Growing team with a small ... NET Developer for our QMS team. In this role, you will design, develop, and maintain complex .NET ...

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Showing results 41-60

All JobsGame Developer JobsGame Developer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Game Developer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$33.5K

$111.7K

$185.4K

How much do game developer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for game developer in Chicago, IL is $111,741.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,000.00 and $127,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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 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.

More about Game Developer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Game Developer jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Game Developer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Game Developer jobs in Chicago, IL?

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

What job categories do people searching Game Developer jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Game Developer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Game Developer jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Game Developer job openings:

Game Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Developer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 40% Full Time, and 60% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $111,741 per year, or $53.7 per hour.

Copy of Senior Lua Developer (Roblox) - AI Code Evaluation

Lifted, an Upwork Company™

Chicago, IL • Remote

$60/hr

Contractor

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Company Description

An enterprise client is seeking experienced Lua Developers to support AI model training through technical evaluations, scripting tasks, and code quality reviews. This opportunity is ideal for developers who have strong Lua programming skills and experience building or scripting within the Roblox ecosystem.

The client partners with leading AI organizations to improve the quality of next-generation AI models by leveraging the expertise of experienced software developers. Selected freelancers will help evaluate AI-generated code, review programming solutions, and contribute to the development of high-quality training data used to advance generative AI technologies.

    Job Description

    This opportunity is ideal for experienced Lua programmers who enjoy solving technical challenges, reviewing code, and improving software quality.

    What You'll Do:

    • Review, analyze, and evaluate Lua code for accuracy, quality, and best practices.
    • Complete technical evaluations and scripting-related tasks involving Lua programming.
    • Identify bugs, performance issues, and opportunities to improve existing code.
    • Develop and modify Lua scripts based on project requirements.
    • Apply strong programming fundamentals, including modular design, data structures, and debugging techniques.
    • Work with Roblox Studio and Roblox development environments where applicable.
    • Contribute to AI model training by providing high-quality technical feedback and code evaluations.
    • Collaborate with the client's AI evaluation platform while following detailed project guidelines.
    Qualifications

    Requirements:

    • Advanced proficiency in Lua programming, including scripting, debugging, and code optimization.
    • Hands-on experience using Roblox Studio and/or developing applications or games on the Roblox platform.
    • Strong understanding of programming fundamentals, including data structures, functions, modular programming, and performance optimization.
    • Ability to independently review, analyze, and improve existing Lua code.
    • Professional working proficiency in English with strong written communication skills.
    • Ability to work independently and follow detailed technical instructions.

    Nice to Haves:

    • Experience developing Roblox games or interactive experiences.
    • Experience reviewing code or conducting technical quality assurance.
    • Familiarity with software testing, debugging, and code optimization techniques.
    • Experience contributing to AI, machine learning, or code evaluation projects.
    Additional Information
    • Fully remote, project-based opportunity.
    • Up to $60/hour, depending on project availability.
    • Expected workload ranges from 10-39 hours per week, although work volume may fluctuate.
    • Weekly lump-sum payments for work completed during the previous week.
    • Qualified candidates will receive an Upwork contract offer along with onboarding instructions.
    • Candidates who successfully complete the initial survey will be invited to a paid technical evaluation (approximately 2-3 hours). Approved evaluations will receive a $150 payment.
    • To begin onboarding and access project tasks, candidates must have an active Upwork contract with the client.
    • Due to the high volume of applicants, the client may not be able to respond to individual inquiries.

    Apply