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Game Server Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

2K

Senior Gameplay Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site +1

$108K - $161K/yr

WE ARE GAME MAKERS Who we are: We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art ... AI in networked multiplayer: client/server authority, prediction, dedicated servers * Humanlike ...

31ST UNION

Senior Gameplay Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site +1

$108K - $161K/yr

WE ARE GAME MAKERS Who we are: We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art ... AI in networked multiplayer: client/server authority, prediction, dedicated servers * Humanlike ...

31st Union

Senior Gameplay Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site +1

$108K - $161K/yr

WE ARE GAME MAKERS Who we are: We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art ... AI in networked multiplayer: client/server authority, prediction, dedicated servers * Humanlike ...

Visual Concepts

Senior Engineer, Server - NBA 2K

Novato, CA · On-site +1

$130K - $174K/yr

As one of the world's top game development studios, we have shipped over 100 multi-sku titles to ... What We Need: We're seeking a Senior Engineer with a passion for server-side development to join ...

2K

Senior Engineer, Server - NBA 2K

Novato, CA · On-site

$130K - $174K/yr

As one of the world's top game development studios, we have shipped over 100 multi-sku titles to ... What We Need: We're seeking a Senior Engineer with a passion for server-side development to join ...

2K

Senior Engineer, Server - NBA 2K

Novato, CA · On-site +1

$130K - $174K/yr

As one of the world's top game development studios, we have shipped over 100 multi-sku titles to ... What We Need: We're seeking a Senior Engineer with a passion for server-side development to join ...

Visual Concepts

Senior Engineer, Server - NBA 2K

Novato, CA · On-site

$130K - $174K/yr

As one of the world's top game development studios, we have shipped over 100 multi-sku titles to ... What We Need: We're seeking a Senior Engineer with a passion for server-side development to join ...

2K

Senior Engineer, Server - NBA 2K

Novato, CA · On-site +1

$130K - $174K/yr

As one of the world's top game development studios, we have shipped over 100 multi-sku titles to ... What We Need: We're seeking a Senior Engineer with a passion for server-side development to join ...

2K

Senior Engineer, Server - NBA 2K

Novato, CA · On-site +1

$130K - $174K/yr

As one of the world's top game development studios, we have shipped over 100 multi-sku titles to ... What We Need: We're seeking a Senior Engineer with a passion for server-side development to join ...

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All JobsGame Server Engineer Jobs

Game Server Engineer information

See salary details

$47.5K

$101.7K

$146K

How much do game server engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for game server engineer in the United States is $101,706.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,500.00 and $117,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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.

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.

More about Game Server Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Game Server Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Game Server Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Game Server Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Game Server Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Game Server Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Game Server Engineer jobs are:
Game Server Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Server Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 4% Temporary. Highlights an 87% In-person, 9% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,706 per year, or $48.9 per hour.

Senior Gameplay Engineer

2K

San Mateo, CA • On-site, Remote

$108K - $161K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

WE ARE GAME MAKERS

Who we are:

We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and inspired by a culture of inclusivity to build amazing games that thrill players everywhere. We pursue growth and innovation in an environment of safety and trust. Our culture is built on the belief that the more varied voices in our collective will strengthen our team and our games. We are looking for our next teammate who will raise our bar and make us better.  

What we need:

31st Union is looking for a Senior Gameplay Engineer to develop our Player Bots - AI agents that stand in for human players in our AAA free-to-play, cross-platform action game. Using C++, Unreal Engine 5, and our in-house utility AI framework, you will make bots that fight, traverse, loot, and team up convincingly enough that players second-guess whether they're facing a human. The same bots power mode backfill and automated testing at scale. 

Responsibilities:

  • Develop combat behavior: target prioritization, hero-appropriate weapon and ability use, movement, and disengagement

  • Develop humanization: tunable aim, reaction time, and error models across difficulty levels

  • Develop macro behavior: team cohesion, traversal, pacing, events, looting, and progression

  • Extend our utility AI framework: new behaviors, scoring, and tuning

  • Keep bot populations performant: throttling, suspension, and LOD

  • Extend bots as automated test clients, from feature tests to match-scale load tests

  • Build bot evaluation tooling: debug visualization and playtest metrics

  • Partner with design to tune behavior through playtests

Who you are:

  • 5+ years of gameplay or game AI engineering on shipped action games

  • Strong C++ and Unreal Engine fluency, including AI controllers, navigation, and EQS

  • Utility AI or comparable decision-making architectures

  • AI in networked multiplayer: client/server authority, prediction, dedicated servers

  • Humanlike combat AI: aim and error models, reaction time, believable movement

  • Optimizing many concurrent agents: LOD and tick throttling

Nice-to-Haves:

  • Player bots in a competitive shooter

  • Unreal Engine 5, StateTree, and the Gameplay Ability System

  • Control systems (e.g., PID controllers) and input simulation

  • Automated test clients and load testing

The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $108,900 and $161,160 per year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations.

Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program.

Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company's discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses. Ontario only: The use of Artificial Intelligence is not being used to screen candidates. The position is for an existing vacancy.

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