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Game Programmer Jobs in British Columbia (NOW HIRING)

Next Level Games

Game Designer

Vancouver, BC · On-site

  • Medical

  • PTO

You will work with directors, designers, engineers, and artists to deliver games that put smiles on the faces of people around the world.    * Create carefully crafted gameplay moments that ...

CD PROJEKT RED

Expert Animation Programmer (R&D)

Vancouver, BC · On-site +1

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

Explore our social media and check out our YouTube channel and Beyond the Game Blog where we share ... CD PROJEKT RED is looking for an experienced Expert Animation Programmer to join our R&D team based ...

Final Strike Games

Animation Engineer

Vancouver, BC · On-site

Final Strike Games is looking for a passionate Animation Engineer to join our Vancouver, BC studio and help us build the animation systems for an upcoming multiplayer title. The ideal candidate is an ...

2K

Gameplay Design Director

Burnaby, BC · Hybrid

CA$153K - CA$229K/yr

Experience with, and passion for, systemic game design * Experience leading a design team (5+) & directing a sizable development team (20+) * Experience working with Animation Software Engineers and ...

2K

Senior Gameplay Animation Software Engineer

Burnaby, BC · On-site

CA$96K - CA$142K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... game development and bring 2K's next groundbreaking sports franchise to life. Headquartered in ... What We Need We are looking for a Senior Gameplay Engineer to contribute to the development of new ...

IGG.com Canada

UIUX Designer (Mobile Game)

Vancouver, BC · On-site

CA$60K - CA$81K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

Established in 2006, IGG was founded with the aim of becoming a leading multiplayer game publisher and developer. The company has rapidly expanded its global operations, through strategic ...

2K

Gameplay Systems Software Engineer

Burnaby, BC · Hybrid

CA$71K - CA$105K/yr

... game development and bring 2K's next groundbreaking sports franchise to life. Headquartered in ... We are looking for engineers with strong C++ fundamentals, production Unreal experience, and the ...

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All JobsGame Programmer JobsGame Programmer Jobs in British Columbia

Game Programmer information

See British Columbia salary details

$21K

$84.8K

$125.5K

How much do game programmer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for game programmer in British Columbia is $84,785.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,500.00 and $104,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is there a demand for game programmers?

Game programmers are in demand due to the growth of the gaming industry, which continues to expand with advancements in technology such as virtual reality and mobile gaming. Skills in programming languages like C++ and Unity or Unreal Engine are highly valued, and employment opportunities are available in both large studios and indie development. The industry offers roles that often require a strong understanding of software development and game design principles.

Is a game programmer a good career?

A game programmer develops software for video games, often requiring skills in programming languages like C++ and knowledge of game engines such as Unity or Unreal. The field offers opportunities for creativity and technical growth, with job prospects influenced by industry demand and experience levels. It can be a rewarding career for those passionate about gaming and technology.

What is the difference between Game Programmer vs Game Designer?

AspectGame ProgrammerGame Designer
Primary RoleWriting code to develop game mechanics, features, and systemsCreating game concepts, storylines, and gameplay experiences
Required SkillsProgramming languages (C++, C#), software development, problem-solvingCreativity, storytelling, game mechanics design
Work EnvironmentTypically in a development team, coding in studios or remoteDesign studios, collaborative teams, often in creative settings
Common UsageUsed in technical development phasesUsed in conceptual and planning phases

While both roles are essential in game development, game programmers focus on coding and technical implementation, whereas game designers concentrate on creating engaging gameplay and story elements. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and collaboration in the industry.

What does a game programmer do?

Game programmers develop video game concepts into functioning programs. A career as a game programmer involves paying close attention to details, analyzing lines of code, and troubleshooting to find solutions. As a game programmer, you use coding languages, such as C++ and Java, to build an interactive gaming experience. There are different kinds of game programmers who have specialized skills to produce a specific purpose in the game, but they all work together to create the final product. For example, some game programmers focus on the 2D and 3D graphics for the game, while others generate user interfaces to make the game fun and easy to use.

What are some common challenges game programmers face when working on large-scale projects?

Game programmers working on large-scale projects often encounter challenges such as optimizing performance for different hardware platforms, managing complex codebases, and ensuring smooth collaboration with designers and artists. Balancing feature implementation with bug fixing and meeting tight deadlines are also common hurdles. Effective communication with other departments and staying up-to-date with evolving game engines and development tools are essential for overcoming these challenges and delivering a high-quality product.

What is a game programmer?

Game Programmers are software engineers who specialize in writing code for video games. They work closely with designers, artists, and other team members to turn game concepts into playable experiences by developing game mechanics, graphics, artificial intelligence, and user interfaces. Game Programmers use programming languages such as C++, C#, or Python and may focus on specific areas like gameplay, graphics, physics, or networking. Their work ensures that games run smoothly and are engaging for players.

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

To thrive as a Game Programmer, you need strong programming skills in languages like C++ or C#, a solid understanding of computer science principles, and often a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with game engines (such as Unity or Unreal Engine), version control systems, and debugging tools is typically required. Creative problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication help you collaborate with designers and artists to bring game concepts to life. These skills ensure efficient development, smooth gameplay experiences, and successful project delivery within the dynamic gaming industry.
More about Game Programmer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Game Programmer jobs in British Columbia?

The most popular types of Game Programmer jobs in British Columbia are:

What are popular job titles related to Game Programmer jobs in British Columbia?

For Game Programmer jobs in British Columbia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Game Programmer jobs in British Columbia look for?

The top searched job categories for Game Programmer jobs in British Columbia are:

What cities in British Columbia are hiring for Game Programmer jobs?

Cities in British Columbia with the most Game Programmer job openings:

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

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

Game Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Programmer job openings in British Columbia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 68% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,785 per year, or $40.8 per hour.

Gameplay AI Software Engineer, Original Game (Unreal Engine 5)

Blackbird Interactive

Vancouver, BC • On-site, Remote

CA$96K - CA$144K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

Blackbird Interactive is a creative-fueled, future-driven, independent game studio where the best talent in the industry can find long-term careers to help grow their abilities while working on a wide range of projects, which encompass world-class IPs as well as our own creations across multiple genres.
 
Our studio operates as a remote-first workplace, offering flexible work arrangements.
 
PLEASE NOTE: At this time, we are only able to hire candidates who are legally eligible to work in Canada and reside within Canada.

We are looking for a Gameplay AI Software Engineer to drive the technical direction and execution of a new original game being developed in Unreal Engine 5. You will be embedded in a core gameplay team to implement gameplay features and systems within our games that are essential to delivering a polished, performant and fun experience. This role is remote-friendly in Canada with Pacific-time overlap required.

What You'll Lead and Deliver

  • Work across disciplines to build, refactor and maintain a variety of robust, flexible, and well-architected AI features.

  • Work with the design team to prototype and implement AI behaviors that empower the fun.

  • Implement enemies, NPCs or any kind of AI managed characters.

  • Work with gameplay engineers to integrate developed AI systems.

  • Implement optimizations in perception systems and decision-making systems to make the AI performant.

  • Work on navigation & pathfinding systems and demonstrate the ability to debug complex AI issues.

  • Integrate and maintain AI middleware across all platforms.

  • Partner closely with design and content teams to build high quality and fun experiences.

  • Drive engineering quality across gameplay code, emphasizing performance, maintainability, extensibility, and production-readiness.

  • Establish engineering best practices for Unreal Engine 5 development, including code review standards, debugging workflows, profiling habits, and technical planning.

  • Collaborate with technical leadership to break down risks, define implementation strategies, and align engineering execution with project goals and production timelines.

  • Communicate clearly with stakeholders about technical constraints, trade-offs, dependencies, and execution plans.

You'll Thrive Here If You

  • Have 5+ years of professional game development experience, with demonstrated technical leadership through project ownership, mentorship, and setting engineering standards.

  • Have strong professional experience with C++ and Unreal Engine, including gameplay architecture, runtime systems, debugging, and optimization.

  • Have deep experience building and maintaining gameplay systems that are responsive, scalable, and designer-friendly.

  • Advance knowledge on blueprints and AI decision making tools (Unreal behavior trees, utility AI, etc.).

  • Demonstrate confidence in using navigation and pathfinding systems.

  • Are comfortable working across systems boundaries, collaborating with multiple disciplines, and balancing short-term production needs with long-term technical health.

  • Bring a strong ownership mindset, practical decision-making, and a focus on helping teams move effectively under production constraints.

Bonus XP

  • Experience with the Unreal Engine 5 systems, like Blackboards, StateTree, and EQS.

  • Familiarity with Perforce, Jenkins, Unreal Build System, Unreal Gauntlet.

$96,000 - $144,000 a year
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