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Game Engineer Jobs in Bothell, WA (NOW HIRING)

Cat Daddy is seeking a Game Designer to join our team of artists, engineers, and product managers to collaborate on game feature designs and monetization strategies for free-to-play mobile games. The ...

Mobile Game Build Engineer Location: Seattle, WA Openings: 1 Type: Full-time Hire CLIENT is an innovative developer and world-class publisher of a diverse portfolio of casual game franchises. We ...

Cat Daddy is seeking a Game Designer to join our team of artists, engineers, and product managers to collaborate on game feature designs and monetization strategies for free-to-play mobile games. The ...

Game Designer

Kirkland, WA · On-site

$78K - $116K/yr

Cat Daddy is seeking a Game Designer to join our team of artists, engineers, and product managers to collaborate on game feature designs and monetization strategies for free-to-play mobile games. The ...

Game Designer

Kirkland, WA · On-site

$78K - $116K/yr

Cat Daddy is seeking a Game Designer to join our team of artists, engineers, and product managers to collaborate on game feature designs and monetization strategies for free-to-play mobile games. The ...

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Game Engineer information

See Bothell, WA salary details

$58.7K

$158.7K

$200.7K

How much do game engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for game engineer in Bothell, WA is $158,673.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $136,400.00 and $186,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Game Engineer, a deep understanding of computer science principles, programming languages like C++ or C#, and a relevant degree in computer science or a related field are essential. Familiarity with game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine, version control systems, and sometimes certifications in game development are highly valued. Creativity, strong problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork set standout professionals apart in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for building innovative, high-performance games and collaborating efficiently with multidisciplinary teams.

What is the 80 20 rule in game development?

In game development, the 80 20 rule suggests that approximately 80% of the game's value comes from 20% of the features or effort. Game engineers often focus on optimizing core mechanics and fixing critical bugs to maximize quality efficiently, using tools like version control and project management software to prioritize tasks.

How do Game Engineers typically collaborate with designers and artists throughout the game development process?

Game Engineers work closely with designers and artists to ensure that technical implementation aligns with creative vision. Collaboration often involves regular meetings to discuss features, rapid prototyping, and integrating assets such as animations or level designs. Engineers provide technical feedback on what is feasible, suggest optimizations, and help troubleshoot issues that arise during development. This cross-functional teamwork is essential for delivering a polished, engaging final product.

What Does a Game Engineer Do?

A game engineer is a software developer that produces video games. As a game engineer, your duties may be in any phase of the game design process. You typically work as part of a large team of engineers, designers, and programmers, carrying out the visual and functional aspects of the video game. Your responsibilities include ensuring that the visual elements of the game are properly designed and can work on various pieces of hardware. Some game engineers work independently, creating smaller games meant to function on a mobile phone or computer. However, to produce games for consoles or performance gaming computers, you must generally work for a larger game design company.

What does a game engineer do?

A game engineer designs, develops, and maintains the software for video games, including gameplay mechanics, graphics, and user interfaces. They often work with programming languages like C++ or C# and use game development tools such as Unity or Unreal Engine to create functional and engaging gaming experiences.

Will game dev be replaced by AI?

Game engineers design and develop video games, and while AI tools can assist with tasks like coding, testing, and asset generation, they are unlikely to fully replace the creative and problem-solving aspects of game development. Human expertise remains essential for designing engaging gameplay, storytelling, and ensuring quality in the final product.

What is the difference between Game Engineer vs Game Developer?

AspectGame EngineerGame Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science or related field; programming skillsBachelor's in Computer Science, Game Design, or related; programming and design skills
Work EnvironmentDevelops game engines, tools, and core systems; often works closely with programmers and technical teamsDesigns and implements game features, levels, and content; collaborates with artists and designers
Industry UsageCommonly employed in technical roles within game studios, focusing on underlying systemsMore prevalent in creative roles, focusing on gameplay and content creation

While both roles require programming skills and a background in computer science, Game Engineers primarily focus on building the technical infrastructure, such as game engines and tools. Game Developers concentrate on creating gameplay features, levels, and content. The roles often overlap, but Game Engineers tend to work more on the technical backbone, whereas Game Developers focus on the user experience and game design.

Is 30 too old to start game development?

Game engineers can start their careers at any age, including 30 or older. Success in game development depends on skills, portfolio, and experience with tools like Unity or Unreal Engine, rather than age. Many professionals transition into game development later in life and find rewarding careers in the industry.
What are popular job titles related to Game Engineer jobs in Bothell, WA? For Game Engineer jobs in Bothell, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Game Engineer jobs in Bothell, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Game Engineer jobs in Bothell, WA are:
What cities near Bothell, WA are hiring for Game Engineer jobs? Cities near Bothell, WA with the most Game Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Game Engineer job openings in Bothell, WA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $158,673 per year, or $76.3 per hour.
Staff Software Engineer, Developer Experience & Workflows - VALORANT

Staff Software Engineer, Developer Experience & Workflows - VALORANT

Riot Games

Mercer Island, WA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago


Job description

Riot engineers bring deep knowledge of specific technical areas but also value the opportunity to work in a variety of broader domains. As a Software Engineer, you'll also dive into projects that focus on team cohesiveness and cross-team objectives. You'll lead without authority and provide other engineers with a clear illustration of extraordinary engineering.
Engineers join Riot to become masters of their craft. They bring a deep passion for helping bring joy to players via technical solutions. In Foundations, we focus on the game engine, content pipelines, developer workflows, and other critical core capabilities.
As a Staff Software Engineer on VALORANT's Foundations Developer Experience & Workflows team, you will work directly on VAL's development team, hand-in-hand with engineers, designers, artists, producers, and QA to build systems that enable them to move faster, work with greater confidence, and deliver amazing new experiences to players. To do this, you will design and evolve the platforms, tools, and workflows that power how VALORANT's game developers create, iterate on, and validate content for both PC and console. Your work will span a diverse set of technical areas, adapting VALORANT's development platform to meet needs wherever they emerge. This includes leveraging AI to accelerate development while establishing the appropriate guardrails for trust, quality, and reliability. This role will report to the Engineering Manager on the Foundations Developer Experience & Workflows team.
Responsibilities:
  • Create tools and systems that improve developer experience and efficiency.
  • Work with stakeholders across the organization to address their pain points and exceed their expectations for what development on VALORANT can be.
  • Influence software engineering best practices for development.
  • Develop sustainable solutions that are testable, robust, and will ensure a consistent player experience across platforms.
  • Provide mentorship to more junior members of the team.
  • Contribute to development efforts through effective breakdown and execution on multi-month development efforts.

Required Qualifications:
  • 6+ years of professional experience in software engineering, including experience delivering live or shipped games at scale
  • 2+ years professional experience with Unreal Engine
  • 2+ years professional experience with C++
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and/or equivalent experience
  • Have collaborated on cross-team development efforts (3+ months in scope), including requirements gathering, planning, and release

Desired Qualifications:
  • Experience serving on a team that builds player-facing areas of a live game, such as characters, maps, modes, systems, or other in-game experiences.
  • Experience building shared game development tooling

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise, a collaborative spirit, and decision-making that prioritizes the delight of players. We will be looking at your past studies, experience, and your personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about the experiences of players, this could be the role for you!
Our Perks:
Riot focuses on work/life balance, shown by our open paid time off policy and other perks such as flexible work schedules. We offer medical, dental, and life insurance, parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and children, and a 401k with company match. Check out our benefits pages for more information.
At Riot Games, we put players first . That mission drives every decision in our quest to create games and experiences that make it better to be a player. Whether you're working directly on a new player-facing experience or you're supporting the company as a whole, everyone at Riot is part of our mission. And just like in our games, we're better when we work together. Our goal is to create collaborative teams where you are empowered to bring your unique perspective everyday. If that sounds like the kind of place you want to work, we're looking forward to your application.
It's our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and members of Riot Games, Inc. Riot Games makes reasonable accommodations for handicapped and disabled Rioters and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, handicap, veteran status, marital status, criminal history, or any other category protected by applicable federal and state law. We consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the Washington Fair Chance Act.
Per the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the following core duties may create a basis for disqualifying candidates with relevant criminal histories:
  • Safeguarding confidential and sensitive Company data
  • Communication with others, including Rioters and third parties such as vendors, and/or players, including minors
  • Accessing Company assets, secure digital systems, and networks
  • Ensuring a safe interactive environment for players and other Rioters

These duties are directly related to essential operations, safety, trust, and compliance obligations within our organization. Please note that job duties may evolve based on business needs and additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to maintain operational efficiency and security.
  • (Mercer Island only) Base salary range between $192,500.00 - $269,400.00 USD + incentive compensation + equity + 401K with company match + medical, dental, vision, and life insurance + short and long-term disability + open PTO.

Riot Games logo

About Riot Games

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Riot Games was founded in 2006 by Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill with the intent to change the way video games are made and supported for players. In 2009, Riot released its debut title League of Legends to worldwide acclaim. The game has since gone on to become the most played PC game in the world and a key driver of the explosive growth of esports. Players are the foundation of our community and it's for them we continue to evolve and improve the League of Legends experience.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2006

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