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Game Server Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Principal Software Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$131.30 - $237.35/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... SQL Server. * Experience with Python. * Experience designing complex systems, considering ... Familiarity with game theory, artificial intelligence, petri nets, safety‑critical software.

New

... SQL Server. * Experience with Python. * Experience designing complex systems, considering ... Familiarity with game theory, artificial intelligence, petri nets, safety critical software.

Senior Software Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$107K - $195K/yr

... SQL Server. * Experience with Python. * Experience designing complex systems, considering ... Familiarity with game theory, artificial intelligence, petri nets, safety critical software.

Principal Software Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

... SQL Server. * Experience with Python. * Experience designing complex systems, considering ... Familiarity with game theory, artificial intelligence, petri nets, safety critical software.

Principal Software Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$131 - $237/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... SQL Server. * Experience with Python. * Experience designing complex systems, considering ... Familiarity with game theory, artificial intelligence, petri nets, safety critical software.

New

Lead Software Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$87K - $157K/yr

... SQL Server. * Experience with Python. * Experience designing complex systems, considering ... Familiarity with game theory, artificial intelligence, petri nets, safety critical software.

Showing results 21-40

Game Server Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$47.1K

$100.8K

$144.7K

How much do game server engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for game server engineer in Virginia is $100,833.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,800.00 and $116,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a game server engineer?

Game Server Engineers are specialized software developers responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the backend infrastructure that powers multiplayer and online features in video games. They work on server-side logic, networking, scalability, and security to ensure smooth gameplay experiences for players worldwide. Their role often involves collaborating with game developers, network engineers, and QA teams to implement features like matchmaking, leaderboards, and real-time multiplayer interactions. Game Server Engineers are crucial for ensuring stability, low latency, and the ability to handle large numbers of concurrent users.

How does a game server engineer typically collaborate with game designers and client developers during the development process?

Game Server Engineers work closely with both game designers and client developers to ensure seamless integration between server-side logic and client-side gameplay. They regularly participate in cross-functional meetings to discuss game mechanics, network protocols, and synchronization requirements. Effective communication with designers helps translate gameplay ideas into robust server features, while collaboration with client developers ensures data consistency and smooth player experiences. This teamwork is crucial for maintaining game stability and delivering new features efficiently.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a game server engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Game Server Engineer, you need strong programming skills—typically in languages like C++, C#, or Java—along with a solid understanding of network protocols and real-time multiplayer systems, often supported by a degree in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure), database management, version control systems, and experience with game engines or dedicated server frameworks are common technical requirements. Excellent problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills help you efficiently diagnose issues and collaborate with cross-functional teams. These competencies are crucial for building scalable, reliable, and engaging online gaming experiences.

What is the difference between Game Server Engineer vs Network Engineer?

AspectGame Server EngineerNetwork Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science, networking, or related field; experience with server management and game protocolsBachelor's in Computer Science, Networking, or related; certifications like CCNA or CompTIA Network+
Work EnvironmentGame development studios, online gaming companies, cloud serversIT departments, telecom companies, data centers
Industry UsagePrimarily in gaming and entertainmentBroad across IT, telecommunications, and enterprise networks
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

While both roles involve network infrastructure, a Game Server Engineer specializes in designing, maintaining, and optimizing servers specifically for online gaming platforms. In contrast, a Network Engineer manages broader network systems across various industries. The roles share similar credentials and work environments but focus on different end-user applications and network types.

What are popular job titles related to Game Server Engineer jobs in Virginia?

For Game Server Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Game Server Engineer jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Game Server Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Game Server Engineer jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Game Server Engineer job openings:

Cloud Systems Engineer II, ADC System Security Engineering

Amazon

Herndon, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


Amazon rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 7,098 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 39 rated national retailers


Job description

Come join a security team who focuses on ease of use and delighting our customers to build and support security services, used across all of Amazon, that secure our internal systems and networks.
At Amazon Web Services (AWS), Security is our highest priority. Our team is responsible for inventing, scaling, and operating the foundational security services used across Amazon to secure our systems, processes, and data. We build authentication, authorization, and enforcement services that are used across our diverse internal teams as they build and deliver services for our customers. We support all of Amazon.com and AWS with our services, and need solution-oriented thinkers who are passionate about solving problems at scale, thinking through edge cases, and iterating quickly to delight our customers.
Are you a good fit for our team?
You'll love the ADC System Security Engineering team if you are passionate about security, and curious how we design security into the cloud and Amazon infrastructure from the minute a server hits our data center through how we securely administer and operate services. At Amazon, we are looking for engineers who know how to think through a problem, be creative, and who think outside the box in ways that benefit our customers. The deep focus we have on our customers is why we are one of the world's most beloved brands - it is part of our company DNA.
Our Engineers (you!) are obsessed with customer trust, building solutions that address real world risks, and thinking deeply about how humans use security systems to build elegant security that users love to use. We are looking for people who bring diverse perspectives, ask a lot of questions, and challenge the status quo. We are a team of out-of-the-box thinkers, who iterate quickly, and think deeply about how to build secure systems that are easy to use.
This position requires that the candidate selected must currently possess and maintain an active TS/SCI security clearance with polygraph. The position further requires the candidate to opt into a commensurate clearance for each government agency for which they perform AWS work.
Key job responsibilities
In this role you will join an established and rapidly growing DevOps engineering team who is maintaining an existing security service while expanding the deployment, features, and capabilities to address significant new initiatives across the company.
The ADC System Security Engineering Team works across the company on services that are always-on; the company depends on us. To perform our best, we value work/life harmony, flexible schedules, and unscheduled time to brain storm. We support established, and rapidly growing services, with a DevOps model, so you will be part of an on-call rotation every couple of months.
Our challenges and goals are ambitious, often ambiguous, and we sometimes try things that don't work. We embrace the learnings from failure and iterate quickly. We emphasize shipping rapidly, using automated releases and testing to deploy frequently, and deeply root causing issues to ensure that we stay fast. On a typical day, we are together in the office collaborating around a whiteboard, planning over coffee, or playing a video game during downtime.
A day in the life
- Build, deploy, and maintain security services that are used internally to support the US intelligence community.
- Mentor other Systems and Systems Development Engineers in their career growth.
- Work backwards from the customer to ensure our services are developed with features that meet the needs of our end users.
About the team
Why AWS?
Our team is dedicated to supporting new members. We have a broad mix of experience levels and tenures, and we're building an environment that celebrates knowledge-sharing and mentorship. Our senior members enjoy one-on-one mentoring and thorough, but kind, code reviews. We care about your career growth and strive to assign projects that help our team members develop your engineering expertise so you feel empowered to take on more complex tasks in the future.
Diverse Experiences
AWS values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn't followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don't let it stop you from applying.
About AWS
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world's most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating - that's why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.
AWS Infrastructure Services (AIS)
AWS Infrastructure Services owns the design, planning, delivery, and operation of all AWS global infrastructure. In other words, we're the people who keep the cloud running. We support all AWS data centers and all of the servers, storage, networking, power, and cooling equipment that ensure our customers have continual access to the innovation they rely on. We work on the most challenging problems, with thousands of variables impacting the supply chain - and we're looking for talented people who want to help.
Inclusive Team Culture
AWS values curiosity and connection. Our employee-led and company-sponsored affinity groups promote inclusion and empower our people to take pride in what makes us unique. Our inclusion events foster stronger, more collaborative teams. Our continual innovation is fueled by the bold ideas, fresh perspectives, and passionate voices our teams bring to everything we do.
Mentorship & Career Growth
We're continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth's Best Employer. That's why you'll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
Work/Life Balance
We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there's nothing we can't achieve in the cloud.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Associate's degree, or Cloud+ or GICSP (Global Industrial Cyber Security Professional) or GSEC (GIAC Security Essentials) or SSCP (Systems Security Certified Practitioner)
- 3+ years Linux systems administration experience
- 3+ years technical troubleshooting / support experience
- 2+ years of networking experience (TCP/IP)
- Current, active US Government Security Clearance of TS/SCI with Polygraph
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience contributing to the definition and implementation of automation opportunities within an operations environment
- Experience designing and developing scripts to automate operational burdens and reviewing scripting changes to ensure they meet the standards for maintainability, scalability and security
- Background mentoring/training other engineers on technical topics.
- Familiarity with security policies, information handling, and compliance standards.
- Comptia Security+
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you're applying in isn't listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, VA, Herndon - 116,900.00 - 167,400.00 USD annually

What Amazon employees say

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Amazon logo

About Amazon

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Amazon.com, Inc., commonly known as Amazon, is an American multinational technology company. It was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 and initially started as an online marketplace for books. Since then, Amazon has expanded its operations and become one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world. Amazon's primary business is its online retail platform, where customers can purchase a vast array of products, including electronics, clothing, books, home goods, and much more. The company offers a convenient and user-friendly shopping experience, with features such as fast shipping, customer reviews, and personalized recommendations. In addition to its e-commerce platform, Amazon has diversified its business into various other areas. One of its notable ventures is Amazon Web Services (AWS), a comprehensive cloud computing platform that provides services such as storage, compute power, and database management to individuals and businesses. AWS has become a leader in the cloud computing industry, powering many websites and applications worldwide. Amazon has also developed its own consumer electronics, including the popular Amazon Kindle e-reader, Fire tablets, Fire TV streaming devices, and the Alexa-powered Echo smart speakers. The Alexa voice assistant, integrated into these devices, allows users to interact with their devices using voice commands, perform tasks, and access information. Furthermore, Amazon has expanded into media and entertainment. It operates Prime Video, a streaming service that offers a wide range of movies, TV shows, and original content. Amazon Music provides a platform for streaming and purchasing digital music, while Audible offers audiobooks and other audio content. The company's commitment to customer satisfaction and convenience is demonstrated by its membership program, Amazon Prime. Prime members receive various benefits, including free two-day shipping, access to streaming services, exclusive deals, and more.

Industry

It services, book publishers, retail, real estate, computer and electronic product manufacturing and software development

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Seattle, WA, US