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Game Developer Jobs in Durham, NC (NOW HIRING)

Epic Games

Lead Gameplay Designer

Cary, NC · On-site

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 ...

Epic Games

Senior Language Programmer

Cary, NC · On-site

You'll work on the systems every UE and UEFN developer relies on to build and ship games with Verse. In this role, you will * Extend, evolve, and maintain the Verse compiler toolchain and VM ...

Epic Games

Senior Software Engineer, Audio Engine

Cary, NC · On-site

$113K - $149K/yr

Whether it's building award-winning games or crafting engine technology that enables others to make ... ENGINEERING - UNREAL ENGINE What We Do Unreal-powered projects have been on the bleeding edge of ...

Epic Games

Engine Programmer

Cary, NC · On-site

Whether it's building award-winning games or crafting engine technology that enables others to make ... ENGINEERING - UNREAL ENGINE What We Do Unreal-powered projects have been on the bleeding edge of ...

Epic Games

Senior Software Engineer

Cary, NC · On-site

$113K - $149K/yr

ENGINEERING - EPIC GAMES SERVICES What We Do Driving the plug-in power behind Unreal Engine 5. We bridge connections for licensees and our own internal game teams to online services. This allows ...

Epic Games

Lead UI Engineer

Cary, NC · On-site

$96K - $128K/yr

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 ...

Xsolla

AI-First Engineering Intern

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$20 - $25/hr

Grounded in the belief in the future of video games, Xsolla is resolute in the mission to bring ... We're offering AI Engineer Internships in regions across the globe to help drive that shift ...

Epic Games

Machine Learning Engineer, Memory

Cary, NC · On-site

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 ...

Varsity Tutors

Video Game Design Tutor

Chapel Hill, NC · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Guides students through designing game mechanics documents, building levels in game engines, programming player interactions, creating or integrating art assets, and conducting playtesting sessions.

Varsity Tutors

Video Game Design Tutor

Durham, NC · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Guides students through designing game mechanics documents, building levels in game engines, programming player interactions, creating or integrating art assets, and conducting playtesting sessions.

Varsity Tutors

Video Game Design Tutor

Raleigh, NC · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Guides students through designing game mechanics documents, building levels in game engines, programming player interactions, creating or integrating art assets, and conducting playtesting sessions.

Dave & Buster's, Inc.

Game Support Technician

Cary, NC · On-site

Gaming Support Techs or Midway Techs are responsible for the repair and maintenance of our building including games, simulators, and technical equipment. They also assist our Guests and maintain ...

Dave & Buster's

Game Support Technician

Cary, NC

Gaming Support Techs or Midway Techs are responsible for the repair and maintenance of our building including games, simulators, and technical equipment. They also assist our Guests and maintain ...

Person County, NC

Field / Game Supervisor

Roxboro, NC · On-site

$12.28/hr

This position plays a key role in ensuring the smooth and professional operation of recreational games and events by overseeing game-day staff and maintaining adherence to established rules and ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsGame Developer JobsGame Developer Jobs in Durham, NC

Game Developer information

See Durham, NC salary details

$31.4K

$104.8K

$173.9K

How much do game developer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for game developer in Durham, NC is $104,816.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,800.00 and $119,800.00 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.
More about Game Developer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Game Developer jobs in Durham, NC?

The most popular types of Game Developer jobs in Durham, NC are:

What are popular job titles related to Game Developer jobs in Durham, NC?

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

What job categories do people searching Game Developer jobs in Durham, NC look for?

The top searched job categories for Game Developer jobs in Durham, NC are:

What cities near Durham, NC are hiring for Game Developer jobs?

Cities near Durham, NC with the most Game Developer job openings:

Game Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Developer job openings in Durham, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,816 per year, or $50.4 per hour.

Lead Gameplay Designer

Epic Games

Cary, NC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 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.
DESIGN
What We Do
Put your design skills to work at a cutting-edge company that challenges the norm. From character and level design to competitive gameplay and system design, help shape the future of interactive entertainment at Epic.
What You'll Do
Epic Games is looking for a Gameplay Designer to help create compelling gameplay experiences across combat, progression, systems, moment-to-moment mechanics, and live gameplay content for our collaboration with LEGO. In this role, you'll partner closely with design leadership, art, engineering, animation, UX, audio, production, and QA to deliver high-quality features from concept through ship. You will own and iterate on gameplay systems, mechanics, and content while balancing player experience, readability, accessibility, engagement, and long-term retention. The ideal candidate is highly collaborative, deeply player-focused, and comfortable working in a fast-paced cross-disciplinary environment where iteration and feedback are core to development.
In this role, you will
  • Work in close collaboration with project leads & directors to design, prototype, tune, and ship features and systems that support the engagement, gameplay, and creative vision of the project
  • Document and create clear, actionable design documents, and iterate on these features, working with a team of developers across multiple disciplines, and oversee their successful implementation from start to finish
  • Get hands-on creating the scripting, data, and content required by those features, diving into the engine, and leveraging other tools
  • Be responsible for soliciting and rapidly integrating feedback from across the team on your own initiative, ensuring we're continually delivering a fun and fresh experience to our players
  • Help establish and maintain design pipelines, best practices, and cross-discipline communication standards to scope, prioritize deliverables, and hit milestone goals
What we're looking for
  • 5+ years of experience on a live service game, shipping a variety of different features and content types to react to changing player patterns
  • Strong scripting and technical capabilities. Bonus points if you have experience with Unreal Engine and the Ability System
  • Demonstrated talent and a deep understanding of gameplay feel, player motivations or intent, gameplay mechanics, systemic content, and the core LEGO player fantasy
  • Ability to break down high-level creative direction into actionable gameplay features and production-ready tasks
  • Ability to work independently, take initiative, and react quickly to changing project needs, drive decisions, and then own the outcome and vision
  • Commitment to quality, rapid iteration, and delivering exceptional player experiences
EPIC JOB + EPIC BENEFITS = EPIC LIFE
Our intent is to cover all things that are medically necessary and improve the quality of life. We pay 100% of the premiums for both you and your dependents. Our coverage includes Medical, Dental, a Vision HRA, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance & a 401k with competitive match. We also offer a robust mental well-being program through Modern Health, which provides free therapy and coaching for employees & dependents. Throughout the year we celebrate our employees with events and company-wide paid breaks. We offer unlimited PTO and sick time and recognize individuals for 7 years of employment with a paid sabbatical.
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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