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Game Engine Programmer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Roblox

Senior Software Engineer Engine Harmony

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$139K - $183K/yr

The software you build is a very large application that empowers our global community of 2M+ developers to push the boundaries of interactive gaming. Your work will touch every part of the engine ...

Roblox

Quality Engineer, Game Engine

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$82K - $105K/yr

In this role, you will focus on automating testing processes while collaborating closely with various engineering teams to enhance the quality of our gaming platform. You will play a crucial role in ...

Spinplay Games

Game Developer

Las Vegas, NV

Description The Game Developer is responsible for creating slot game front-end client software using our internal game engine. The Game Developer will act in both a project owner and project support ...

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Game Engine Programmer information

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How much do game engine programmer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for game engine programmer in the United States is $92,636.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24,000.00 and $145,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Game Engine Programmer position, and why are they important?

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 is a Game Engine Programmer job?

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 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.

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What cities are hiring for Game Engine Programmer jobs? Cities with the most Game Engine Programmer job openings:
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Game Engine Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Engine Programmer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,636 per year, or $44.5 per hour.

Senior Game Engine Engineer, Platform

Worldscape Technology Inc.

Redmond, WA

$117K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

Worldscape is a cutting-edge platform designed to unify distributed data, sensors, and intelligent agents across cloud, on-prem, and edge environments. By combining geospatial intelligence, physics-based 3D simulation, and reward-driven AI, Worldscape enables organizations to build immersive digital twins for predictive modeling, scenario planning, and adaptive decision-making. With a zero-trust security framework, seamless integration with legacy systems, and robust developer tools, Worldscape empowers rapid deployment of agentic applications that drive resilience and efficiency in sectors like logistics, telecom, defense, and infrastructure. 
Key Attributes:
  • Innovation Mindset: Passion for pushing the boundaries of real-time physics in interactive simulation. 
  • Leadership & Mentorship: Ability to guide developers, set technical direction for an area, and enforce best practices.
  • Problem-Solving: Creative and analytical approach to complex simulation challenges.
  • Communication: Clear articulation of technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. 
Responsibilities:
  • Participate in setting physics architecture: Define data models, simulation loops, solver strategies, and integration points across engine and simulation systems.
  • Deliver core physics features: Collision detection (broad‑phase/narrow‑phase), entity controllers, vehicle dynamics with an emphasis on orbital mechanics, particles/fluid mechanics (with an emphasis on atmospheric dynamics), etc.
  • Integrate with simulation logic (gameplay) & animation: Build physics‑driven interactions, authoring tools, and runtime hooks (e.g., inverse kinematics, state machines, event systems).
  • Performance ownership: Profile, optimize, and budget frame time and memory across platforms; lead multi-threading/Job System/SIMD efforts; evaluate GPU compute opportunities.
  • Stability & robustness: Establish test suites, golden scenarios, and verification and validation practices; reduce edge‑case instability (stacking, tunneling, jitter, constraint drift).
  • Tooling & workflow: Build/debug tools, visualizers, probes, and authoring pipelines that accelerate designer iteration and QA efficiency.
  • Cross‑functional leadership: Partner with back-end, AI, data pipeline, and platform teams; communicate constraints/trade‑offs; align milestones with production.
  • Participate in code reviews, design docs, and coding standards; cultivate a high bar for craft, documentation, and reproducibility. 
Professional Qualifications:
  • Education: BS/MS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Physics, Mathematics (or equivalent practical experience).
  • Experience: 5+ years in real‑time/game physics engineering; 2+ shipped titles with substantial physics ownership (AA/AAA preferred).
  • Programming: Expert C++ (modern standards), data‑oriented design, memory management, profiling/debugging (VTune, PIX, Nsight, RenderDoc, etc.).
  • Rigid‑body dynamics, collision detection (GJK, SAT, continuous collision detection/time of impact), integration schemes (semi‑implicit Euler, RK, constraint solvers).
  • Numerical stability, error control, and performance trade‑offs under real‑time constraints.
  • Engine Integration: Experience integrating physics with animation (animation blending, IK), gameplay systems, and rendering pipelines.
  • Performance: Multi-threading/job systems, SIMD/vectorization, cache‑friendly data structures, frame/memory budgeting across platforms.
  • Collaboration: Proven ability to lead cross‑disciplinary efforts and communicate complex technical topics clearly. 
Preferred Qualifications:
  • 5+ years’ experience in Modern Game Engines & Middleware: Unreal Engine (Chaos), Unity (DOTS/Physics), Havok, Bullet, PhysX.
  • Custom engine experience is strongly preferred.
  • 3+ years’ experience in Advanced Simulation: Fracture systems, granular materials, vehicle tire models, buoyancy/aero effects; GPU compute (CUDA, compute shaders).
  • Experience with existing physics models and systems integration.
  • Networking: Deterministic simulation strategies, rollback/prediction, server authority models, cross‑platform latency mitigation.
  • Console/Platform: Shipping experience on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC; familiarity with platform TRCs/TCRs and performance certification.
  • Tooling & Scripting: Python/C#/Lua for tools and editor extensions; in‑engine visualization/debugging overlays.
  • Optimization Expertise: Broad‑phase structures (sweep-and-prune, BVH), island building, sleeping strategies, CCD tunneling avoidance; job scheduling and affinity tuning.
  • Content Pipelines: Collaboration with design/tech art to create authoring guidelines for physics assets; LOD strategies for physics complexity. 
Final compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, and qualifications. In addition to base salary, this role may be eligible for performance-based bonuses and equity awards. 
Why Worldscape? 
There is nothing more important to Worldscape than our culture. It is the fundamental means by which we will succeed as an organization. Talent, ability, drive, experience, knowledge cannot be maximized without first embracing the culture we espouse and will live every single day.  Worldscape offers great benefits, opportunities for continued growth, and the ability to directly affect change in our organization and be part of a high-growth startup at a pivotal stage. 

What we offer: 
- Competitive salary and meaningful equity 
- Attractive benefits package  
- Flexible time off policy 
- Medical, Dental and Vision insurance 
- HSA health insurance options 
- 401k plan 
- Basic and Voluntary Life Insurance
- Fast paced environment with flexibility and ownership
 
Worldscape is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, race, religion, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.