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Game Engine Programmer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Autodesk

Senior Software Developer (Web) (Remote)

Ohio, IL · Remote

$51.50 - $68/hr

As a Senior Software Developer (Web), you will be part of the team responsible for building and ... Basic game engine experience (Unreal Engine preferred) * Basic experience with AR, VR and MR

New

Zynga

Principal Experience Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

Prepare and implement assets in the game engine, partnering with technical artists and engineers. * Accomplished expert in creating user interfaces in Unity. * Set up Figma Design Systems that are ...

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 ...

Flow Traders NV

Senior Software Engineer, C++

Chicago, IL · On-site

$185K - $225K/yr

Prepare for releases and deployments of new trading engine versions What you need to succeed * BSc ... Great Global Locations Vibrant working environments, furnished with lounges, bars, gaming areas and ...

SimVentions, Inc.

Embedded Firmware Developer

Virginia, IL · On-site

$79K - $110K/yr

... engine, satellite transceiver, etc.). Updating or writing tools to be able to configure newly ... S. military, and we take pride in our ability to provide relevant, game-changing solutions to our ...

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 ...

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All JobsGame Engine Programmer JobsGame Engine Programmer Jobs in Illinois

Game Engine Programmer information

See Illinois salary details

$10.7K

$89.8K

$168.1K

How much do game engine programmer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for game engine programmer in Illinois is $89,766.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23,300.00 and $141,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a game engine programmer?

A Game Engine Programmer is responsible for developing and optimizing the core technology that powers video games. They work on rendering, physics, memory management, and other low-level systems to ensure the engine runs efficiently. Their job involves writing and maintaining engine code, debugging performance issues, and implementing new features to support game development. They often collaborate with other programmers, artists, and designers to ensure the engine meets the technical and creative needs of the project.

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

To thrive as a Game Engine Programmer, you need strong skills in C++ or C#, computer graphics, mathematics, and a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard engines like Unreal or Unity, version control systems (e.g., Git), and sometimes specialized certifications in game development tools are highly beneficial. Effective problem-solving, teamwork, and the ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies are critical for building robust and efficient game engines that support creative teams and deliver high-quality gaming experiences.

What are some typical challenges faced by game engine programmers, and how can they be addressed?

Game Engine Programmers often encounter challenges like optimizing for performance across multiple platforms, integrating new features without breaking existing systems, and troubleshooting complex bugs that can impact gameplay. Addressing these challenges requires a mix of strong debugging skills, continuous learning of new technologies and industry standards, and effective collaboration with other developers and artists. Open communication and regular code reviews within the team help catch issues early and promote best practices. Additionally, staying updated with the latest optimization techniques and hardware advancements ensures that the engine remains competitive and efficient. Embracing a problem-solving mindset and being proactive in seeking feedback are key to managing the ever-evolving technical landscape of game development.

What are popular job titles related to Game Engine Programmer jobs in Illinois?

For Game Engine Programmer jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Game Engine Programmer jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Game Engine Programmer jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Game Engine Programmer jobs?

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Game Engine Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Engine Programmer job openings in Illinois as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 68% In-person, 6% Hybrid, and 26% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,766 per year, or $43.2 per hour.

Senior Advanced Software Engineer - Rendering

Chicago, IL • Hybrid

Lnw
See more jobs at Lnwexternal

$150K - $172K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

Gaming:

Welcome to the world of land-based gaming. At Light & Wonder, it's all about the games, and our Gaming team builds cutting-edge technology, products, and content for the most iconic casinos and operators across the globe.

Position Summary

At Light & Wonder, it's all about the games, and our Gaming team builds cutting-edge technology, products, and content for the most iconic casinos and operators across the globe.

The Mission

Build and evolve the shared technology platform that powers Light & Wonder's next generation gamingexperiencesacross multiple platforms and hardware requirements.

Job Summary

As a Senior Advanced Software Engineer at Light & Wonder, you will be a key contributor within a collaborative, global engineering team focused on delivering robust, innovative technology solutions.

Outcomes

  • Deliver core engine systems that are stable, performant, and portable across platforms.

  • Lead technical initiatives and actively mentor junior engineers.

  • Ensure compliance with platform standards.

  • Contribute to continuous improvement of development processes.

Essential Job Functions

  • Design, build, test and maintain core engine systems including rendering pipelines, cross-platform runtime abstraction, and memory/performance systems.

  • Build the engine-level abstractions and tooling that serve as the foundation for product development.

  • Diagnose and resolve complex low-level performance and stability issues.

  • Contribute to core engine architecture decisions and long-term technical roadmap.

  • Partner cross-functionally with platform, tools, and product teams;

  • Leverage AI-assisted tools to improve development efficiency, code quality, testing effectiveness, and team productivity.

  • Stay current with industry trends and technologies.

Qualifications

Training and/or Experience

  • 8+ years of professional software development experience.

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field.

  • Direct experience working on Unity, Unreal or a comparable commercial game engine.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

  • Expert in C++ and/or C#.

  • Deep understanding of rendering pipelines, graphics APIs and GPU architecture.

  • Strong grasp of low-level performance optimization and memory management.

  • Comfortable using AI-assisted coding tools (e.g., Claude Code, Codex, Copilot) as part of the daily development workflow.

  • Experience building cross-platform solutions is highly preferred.

  • Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.

  • Ability to lead and mentor team members.

Additional Information

This is a hybrid role based eligible to work in our Chicago or Las Vegas studio. Team members are expected to be in the office4 days aweektosupport collaboration and studio culture.

Physical Requirement

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, use hands, operate a computer, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with computer and business equipment.

Work Conditions

The work conditions are representative and typical of similar jobs in comparable organizations.

Light & Wonder and its affiliates (collectively, L&W) are engaged in highly regulated gaming businesses. As a result, certain L&W employees may, among other things, be required to obtain a gaming or other license(s), undergo background investigations or security checks, or meet certain standards dictated by law, regulation or contracts.

In order to ensure L&W complies with its regulatory and contractual commitments, as a condition to hiring and continuing to employ its employees, L&W requires all of its employees to meet those requirements that are necessary to fulfill their individual roles. As a prerequisite to employment with L&W (to the extent permitted by law), you shall be asked to consent to L&W conducting a due diligence/background investigation on you.

This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive; it is intended to identify major responsibilities and requirements of the job. The employee in this position may be requested to perform other job-related tasks and responsibilities than those stated above.

The targeted pay range for this role is $150,000- $172,000. The total compensation package for this position may also include applicable incentive compensation, such as an annual performance bonus. Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience, specific work geography, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

As a member of the L&W team, you will be eligible for company sponsored benefits that include healthcare, dental, vision, paid time off, a generous 401(k) plan, tuition assistance, and much more.

Light & Wonder is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants due to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. If you'd like more information about your equal employment opportunity rights as an applicant under the law, please click here for EEOC Poster.

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