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Game Engine Developer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

NxT Level

Technical Artist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$130K - $156K/yr

Work with engineering and art teams to develop custom shaders from scratch * Work across several ... Experience implementing visual effects in an industry standard or proprietary Game Engine from ...

Lnw

Principal Software Architect

Chicago, IL · On-site

Provide architectural guidance for game engine technologies, including Unity, Godot, proprietary ... Support adoption of modern engineering practices including automated testing, DevOps, CI/CD ...

Simplex Trading

Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$125K - $200K/yr

... engine design * Design, build, and maintain efficient, reusable, and reliable C++ code on Linux ... In-person happy hours, celebrations throughout the year, game nights, video game fun, and so much ...

Coinflow

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$140K - $190K/yr

Founded in 2023, the company serves marketplaces, fintechs, remittance providers, gaming platforms ... engine. This is a high-impact role where your code ships to production quickly and handles real ...

Dubclub

Senior Software Engineer (Full-Stack)

Chicago, IL · On-site

$140K - $170K/yr

For cappers: DubClub is a business-building engine that helps you turn your passion into a ... Cappers are the stars of the game, and enjoy a best-in-class operating system, automated marketing ...

Dubclub

Staff Software Engineer (Full-Stack)

Chicago, IL · On-site

$180K - $220K/yr

For cappers: DubClub is a business-building engine that helps you turn your passion into a ... Cappers are the stars of the game, and enjoy a best-in-class operating system, automated marketing ...

Paramount

AR/VR Weather Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

The ideal candidate is highly confident working in Unreal Engine, comfortable creating and modeling ... You will collaborate closely with creative, editorial, engineering, and production teams to design ...

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All JobsGame Engine Developer JobsGame Engine Developer Jobs in Illinois

Game Engine Developer information

See Illinois salary details

$31.5K

$105.1K

$174.4K

How much do game engine developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for game engine developer in Illinois is $105,111.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,000.00 and $120,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Game Engine Developer?

A Game Engine Developer is a software engineer who designs, develops, and maintains the core technology used to build video games, known as a game engine. They create systems for rendering graphics, handling physics, processing audio, and managing assets, enabling game designers and artists to build interactive worlds. Game Engine Developers work closely with other developers to ensure the engine is efficient, scalable, and supports the features needed for modern games. Their work is crucial for both building new engines and customizing existing ones like Unity or Unreal Engine.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Game Engine Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Game Engine Developer, you need strong proficiency in computer science fundamentals, C++ programming, and experience with rendering, physics, or audio systems, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with development tools like Visual Studio, version control systems (e.g., Git), and graphics APIs such as DirectX or OpenGL is typically required. Problem-solving ability, teamwork, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and addressing technical challenges. These skills ensure robust, high-performance engine development that meets the complex needs of modern game production.

What are some common challenges faced by Game Engine Developers when collaborating with cross-functional teams?

Game Engine Developers often work closely with artists, designers, and gameplay programmers, which can present challenges in balancing technical constraints with creative vision. Coordinating feature requests, optimizing for performance, and ensuring tools are user-friendly for non-programmers require strong communication and problem-solving skills. It's important to translate technical limitations into understandable terms and to build solutions that address the needs of different stakeholders. Successful developers proactively seek feedback and iterate on tools to support a smooth production pipeline.

What is the difference between Game Engine Developer vs Game Programmer?

AspectGame Engine DeveloperGame Programmer
Primary FocusDeveloping and optimizing game engines and toolsWriting gameplay code and implementing features
Skills & CertificationsProficiency in C++, graphics APIs, engine architectureStrong programming skills, knowledge of game frameworks
Work EnvironmentEngine development teams, software companiesGame development teams, studios

Game Engine Developers focus on creating and maintaining the core technology that powers games, while Game Programmers work on implementing gameplay features within those engines. Both roles require strong programming skills, but their responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

What are the most commonly searched types of Game Engine Developer jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Game Engine Developer jobs in Illinois are:
What are popular job titles related to Game Engine Developer jobs in Illinois? For Game Engine Developer jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Game Engine Developer jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Game Engine Developer jobs in Illinois are:
Game Engine Developer jobs near you

Technical Artist

NxT Level

Chicago, IL • On-site

$130K - $156K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

Remote - US and Canada only
thatgamecompany designs and develops artistically crafted, broadly accessible video games that push the boundaries of interactive entertainment. We respect our players and want to contribute meaningful, enriching experiences that touch and inspire them.
We seek talent that values integrity and personal growth within an environment of intense collaboration and experimentation.
Our mission - create timeless entertainment that makes positive change to the human psyche worldwide. If you've been wanting to have a positive impact on people's lives and the creative challenges associated with doing something different and unique, then come help us shine brighter together.
Major Responsibilities
  • Work with engineering and art teams to develop custom shaders from scratch
  • Work across several art disciplines including shading, environment art, character art, animation and general art to support as the need arises.
  • Profile and optimize shaders and VFX for optimal performance across a wide range of target platforms.
  • Lead efforts in building foundational systems for art to establish scenes, animation, rigging, FX, and material tests.
  • Coordinate with art, technical, and studio leads to help build and maintain a high-performance art pipeline from creation to final package delivery.
  • Contribute to the unique product artistic vision holding high standards for aesthetics and technical art implementation.
  • Optimizing art content for performance.

Additional Responsibilities
  • Profile and optimize shaders and VFX for optimal performance across a wide range of target platforms.
  • Working in our proprietary engine, help to establish our material and vfx pipelines.
  • Document workflows and best practices for materials and vfx

Must-Haves
  • A good understanding of shaders (HLSL and/or GLSL) and ideally able to handle supporting c++ code for those prototypes or tools if required
  • Solid experience working with shader, materials and vfx in an industry standard or proprietary game engine
  • Experience implementing visual effects in an industry standard or proprietary Game Engine from concept to completion
  • Solid experience profiling and optimizing shaders and vfx on multiple platforms
  • 3-5 or more years experience as a Technical Artist
  • Must have 3 or more years experience with Maya and modern 3D art pipelines
  • Proven experience building tools for modern art pipeline with a solid understanding of game engine scripting (ex. Unity, Unreal, Proprietary Engine)
  • Portfolio demonstrating the technical artistic ability, with a focus on custom shaders and vfx
  • Self-motivated and diligent, with established habits for tracking one's own tasks and seeking out answers when needed

Nice to Haves
  • Writing c++ code would be a plus
  • Knowing Mel, Python, Lua, C++, is a plus
  • Understanding of animation pipelines, including character and environment systems
  • Strong communication skills and a positive and professional attitude
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent years of experience in Computer Science, 3D graphics, or related field
  • Experience working with offsite art and programming teams

Perks:
  • Paid Time Off, Holidays and Two Weeks Winter Break
  • Employees and their dependents get medical, dental, and vision coverage, regardless of their level, tenure, or position within the company. Moreover, these benefits start on the first day of the job-there's no waiting period before they kick in.
  • Pet Insurance for those who need it too.
  • Compassionate leave for employees who needs to take care of their family members
  • Pre-tax wellness stipend
  • Pre-tax work from home stipend
  • Access our savings plan (401K program) with company match
  • Mental health resources including Headspace membership and Employee Assistance Program (CCA)
  • Discount portal for everyday goods and services
  • Employee inclusive and diversity initiatives such as Grow Together
  • Support for personal professional development

Apply