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Game Programmer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Senior 3D Gameplay Artist

Finland, MN · On-site

$60 - $80/hr

Homa is a global mobile game developer and publisher creating games people love. We partner with studios and internally develop games, having launched over 80 titles, reached over 2 billion downloads ...

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Game Master

Burnsville, MN · On-site

$16/hr

We are hiring game masters to help guide groups through an hour-long adventure while delivering the best customer experience possible. Game Master Job Summary From the time customers enter our venue ...

Be Seen First

Game Master

Burnsville, MN · On-site

$16/hr

We are hiring game masters to help guide groups through an hour-long adventure while delivering the best customer experience possible. Game Master Job Summary From the time customers enter our venue ...

Game Worker

Elk River, MN · On-site

$17.50/hr

Game Worker Department: Spectrum High School Athletics Reports To: Athletic Director / Game Manager Employment Type: Part-Time / Seasonal (Per Game Basis) Position Summary Spectrum High School is ...

Game Worker

Elk River, MN · On-site

$17.50/hr

Until Filled Game Worker Department: Spectrum High School Athletics Reports To: Athletic Director / Game Manager Employment Type: Part-Time / Seasonal (Per Game Basis) Position Summary Spectrum High ...

Manager, Game Presentation

Saint Paul, MN · On-site

$55K - $65K/yr

The Game Presentation Manager is responsible for planning and executing all in-arena entertainment and fan engagement elements during Minnesota Wild home games. This role leads the coordination of ...

Manager, Game Presentation

Saint Paul, MN · On-site

$55K - $65K/yr

The Game Presentation Manager is responsible for planning and executing all in-arena entertainment and fan engagement elements during Minnesota Wild home games. This role leads the coordination of ...

Game Workers

Bemidji, MN · On-site

$17.63/hr

Open until filled Temporary positions exist for substitute game workers. Persons indicating interest will be placed on a list and called as needed by staff in the High School Activities Office. See ...

Video Game Design Tutor

Edina, MN · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Guides students through designing game mechanics documents, building levels in game engines, programming player interactions, creating or integrating art assets, and conducting playtesting sessions.

Guides students through designing game mechanics documents, building levels in game engines, programming player interactions, creating or integrating art assets, and conducting playtesting sessions.

Guides students through designing game mechanics documents, building levels in game engines, programming player interactions, creating or integrating art assets, and conducting playtesting sessions.

Job Type Part-time Description Following the mission of The Blake School and the core purposes of the athletic department, the Game Worker will serve at the discretion of the Blake School Athletics ...

Games

Shakopee, MN · On-site

$15.50/hr

Operate and manage game booths and attractions. Encourage guests to participate and explain game rules. Handle transactions and prize distribution accurately. Maintain a fun and energetic atmosphere.

Structural Engineer

Eden Prairie, MN · On-site

$75K - $100K/yr

Rooted in Respect, Integrity, and Humility, we're on a mission to make every project a game-changer ... STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Location: Eden Prairie, MN | Hybrid Schedule: Full-Time Salary: $75,000 - $100 ...

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Showing results 1-20

Game Programmer information

See Minnesota salary details

$10.8K

$90.7K

$169.9K

How much do game programmer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for game programmer in Minnesota is $90,729.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23,500.00 and $142,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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.

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 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.

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 are the most commonly searched types of Game Programmer jobs in Minnesota?

The most popular types of Game Programmer jobs in Minnesota are:

What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Game Programmer jobs?

Cities in Minnesota with the most Game Programmer job openings:

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

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

Infographic showing various Game Programmer job openings in Minnesota as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 40% Full Time, and 60% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $90,729 per year, or $43.6 per hour.

Senior Gameplay Programmer (CONTRACT)

Afton, MN • On-site, Remote

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE)
Software Development • 1 - 5K employees

$82.74 - $100/hr

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

This is a 12 month contract. This position is for temporary engagement through our staffing partner, Yoh Enterprise Solutions.

Insomniac is looking for a Senior Gameplay Programmer (Contract). In this role you'll collaborate closely with our content teams as we design, implement and maintain industry leading experiences, with a heavy focus on enemy, boss and ally behaviors. A Senior Gameplay Programmer anticipates design needs and player expectations and leverages their experience to provide feedback on code quality, user experience, and performance throughout the course of development. We value ownership, technical expertise, initiative, and effective communication.

At Insomniac, we've embraced a digital-first culture, and support in-office, remote and hybrid working arrangements. We're passionate about creating robust, scalable systems for AAA games and delivering outstanding new player experiences while fostering employee well-being!

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following:

  • Collaborate across teams to drive player experience and feature quality with a focus on Enemy<>Player interactions
  • Act as a subject matter expert on our enemy and boss teams, providing mentorship/assistance to more junior staff through code reviews and participation in relevant special interest groups
  • Create features and systems that can work flexibly and dynamically across diverse environments and situations
  • Architect and implement systems that are as simple as possible without compromising scalability and extensibility
  • Accurately estimate assigned work, contribute to efforts to ensure work is in scope, and proactively update team on task status
  • Understand complex existing systems and how they interact. Expand or create new systems as needed to deliver on the promise of our features
  • Work across teams to understand how our internal customers use the tools and systems that we develop to deliver great gameplay experiences
  • Drive new feature and architecture development within enemy behavior systems

Skills you should bring to this role:

  • Prior experience owning and delivering features in the areas of enemy, boss, or ally behaviors
  • Extensive C++ skills
  • Knowledge of memory management, performance optimization, systems interfaces, and other programming principles and best practices.
  • Knowledge of mathematical concepts, particularly 3D math and visualization using linear algebra
  • An eye for player-centered design
  • Ability and willingness to articulate strengths and weaknesses of proposed features, and to advocate for alternatives

At SIE, working with our partners, we consider several factors when setting each role's base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location.
Please note that the individual base pay range may vary based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.
In addition, this role is eligible for benefit offerings that include medical, dental, and vision. Click hereto learn more.

The estimated base pay range for this role is listed below, this is an hourly rate.
$82.74-$100 USD

Please note, Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles) and will need to process personal information to support these checks.

Please refer to ourCandidate Privacy Noticefor more information about what personal information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and your data protection rights.