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Game System Designer Jobs in Renton, WA (NOW HIRING)

Skydance

Principal Engineer

Seattle, WA · Remote

$217K - $246K/yr

Collaborate with designers, artists, and audio developers to iterate on and refine key game systems. * Take ownership of major systems, maintain development schedules, and drive implementation tasks ...

Skydance

Principal Engineer

Seattle, WA · Hybrid

$217K - $246K/yr

Collaborate with designers, artists, and audio developers to iterate on and refine key game systems. * Take ownership of major systems, maintain development schedules, and drive implementation tasks ...

Microsoft

Senior Product Designer

Redmond, WA · On-site

... or games and/or delivering to customers as a result of an end-to-end design process. * Strong ... Strong systems thinking, including the ability to define clear structures and taxonomies that make ...

Nintendo

CONTRACT - Sr Systems Engineer (NTD)

Redmond, WA

$117K - $160K/yr

... System, Nintendo has sold more than 4.7 billion video games and more than 740 million hardware ... Expert level understanding of designing and managing solutions in AWS and Azure is required.

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All JobsGame System Designer JobsGame System Designer Jobs in Renton, WA

Game System Designer information

See Renton, WA salary details

$52.9K

$175.5K

How much do game system designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for game system designer in Renton, WA is $167,731.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $174,300.00 and $174,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Game System Designer, you need strong analytical thinking, creativity, and a solid understanding of game mechanics, often supported by a background in game design, computer science, or a related field. Familiarity with game engines (such as Unity or Unreal), prototyping tools, and scripting languages like C# or Lua is highly beneficial. Excellent communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities help you collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and iterate on complex systems. These skills ensure engaging, balanced, and technically feasible gameplay experiences that drive a game's success.

What is the difference between Game System Designer vs Game Level Designer?

AspectGame System DesignerGame Level Designer
Primary FocusDesigns core game mechanics, systems, and rulesCreates and designs individual game levels and environments
Required SkillsSystems thinking, programming knowledge, gameplay designLevel layout, environment art, storytelling through level design
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with programmers, designers, and artists on overall game systemsWorks closely with artists and narrative teams to craft engaging levels
Industry UsageCommon in game development studios focusing on gameplay mechanicsCommon in studios emphasizing level and environment design

While both roles are essential in game development, the Game System Designer focuses on creating the underlying mechanics that define gameplay, whereas the Game Level Designer concentrates on crafting the individual levels players explore. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and collaboration points within game development teams.

How does a Game System Designer typically collaborate with other departments during the game development process?

Game System Designers work closely with various teams such as artists, programmers, producers, and narrative designers to ensure that gameplay mechanics align with the overall vision of the game. They often participate in cross-functional meetings, provide detailed system documentation, and gather feedback from playtest sessions to refine systems. Effective communication and adaptability are essential, as system designers must balance creative ideas with technical constraints and player experience. This role is highly collaborative, requiring frequent coordination to integrate new features, resolve design challenges, and maintain a cohesive game experience.

What are Game System Designers?

Game System Designers are professionals who create, balance, and refine the underlying rules and mechanics that govern how a video game operates. They focus on designing systems such as combat, progression, economy, and rewards to ensure an engaging and balanced player experience. By collaborating with other developers, they translate creative ideas into mathematical models and gameplay loops that keep players challenged and entertained. Their work is crucial to the overall feel and longevity of a game.
What are popular job titles related to Game System Designer jobs in Renton, WA? For Game System Designer jobs in Renton, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Game System Designer jobs in Renton, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Game System Designer jobs in Renton, WA are:
What cities near Renton, WA are hiring for Game System Designer jobs? Cities near Renton, WA with the most Game System Designer job openings:
Game System Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game System Designer job openings in Renton, WA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $167,731 per year, or $80.6 per hour.
Adjunct Faculty - User Experience Design Instructor (Evergreen)

Adjunct Faculty - User Experience Design Instructor (Evergreen)

DigiPen Institute of Technology

Redmond, WA • On-site

$5.1K - $8.7K/mo

Part-time

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

Adjunct Faculty - Design Department (Evergreen), User Experience Design Instructor
Located in Redmond, Washington, DigiPen Institute of Technology is a small college that offers undergraduate degree programs in Computer Science, Game Design, Digital Audio and Music, and Digital Art and Animation, as well as Master's degree programs in Computer Science and Digital Art. DigiPen Institute of Technology has been ranked one of the top 5 game design schools in the country by the Princeton Review for more than a decade.
To learn more, visit: https://www.digipen.edu/ .
Position: Adjunct Faculty - Department of Design
Reports to: Design Department Chair
The Department of Design at DigiPen Institute of Technology invites applicants for potential future positions of Adjunct Faculty - User Experience Design Instructor to help teach the next generation of designers. Join the pool of vetted faculty adjuncts for future adjunct instructor positions. Help students develop the necessary skills to succeed in the field of user experience design for games.
The Department of Design faculty who teach these topics are themselves subject matter experts who bring decades of first-hand industry experience from the world of mobile games, PC/console games, tabletop games, user research, and more. They help students learn design thinking and how to solve problems from the vantage of the end user, creating more seamless and engaging experiences in the process.
Design courses at DigiPen cover a multitude of sub-disciplines within the broader practice of professional game design and development. Most of these courses fall into one of six design specialization tracks - systems design, level design, user experience design, narrative design, technical design, and user research.
After completing the application process, you may be invited to participate in the interview process. If accepted, you will be added to our pool of pre-approved adjuncts. The Department of Design hires adjunct faculty from the pool of pre-approved adjuncts each semester on an as-needed basis.
This is an ongoing posting. For more information about DigiPen's offerings, visit:
Current Courses | DigiPen
Essential Functions/Duties
  • Teach introductory and upper-division courses in User Experience Design in accordance with departmental policies and assigned class schedules (evening classes available)
    • Focus on each aspect of user interaction with a system, including UI, game feel, information architecture, and efficiency of operations. A UX designer must be aware of system details and the needs and capabilities of the user. UX instructors help students understand the needs of others as they use products of all types, especially games and game systems.
  • Demonstrate design and analysis techniques
  • Grade, critique, and input assignment feedback on a weekly basis to the learning management system (Moodle)
  • Organize class activities, demos, and assignments
  • Relate assignments and tests to learning outcomes
  • Manage Student Teaching Assistants, if required; supervising their punches and reviewing their weekly hours
  • Provide input, create, and improve course materials
  • Offer weekly office hours
  • In-person teaching, with online classes when necessary, in Redmond, WA

Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in any field or equivalent.
  • 5+ years of professional design experience (for example, 2+ shipped titles, published works, published research projects, or other body of work)
  • Lecture experience, including professional talks or panels at conventions or events.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Demonstrate evidence of teaching experience that supports a diverse student body and individuals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences
  • Ability to accommodate different learning styles and special needs

Preferred Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Design, Psychology, Communications, Interactive Media, or a related field.
  • 10+ years of experience, including design lead positions, with the ability to apply the skills of the area of specialization.
  • Shipped titles on different platforms and media
  • Instructor experience in a college setting, or other teaching experience.

Salary Range:
$5,184 - $8,709 per term, depending on credit hours, class size, and faculty rank
Not benefits eligible.
Application Procedure:
Applications should include, or you will be asked to provide, the following:
  • Cover letter of interest, including a link to your digital portfolio, if applicable
  • Current curriculum vitae / résumé
  • Academic Transcripts of most recently attended educational institutions
  • Statement of teaching philosophy
  • Statement of experience on maximizing quality and engagement across broad subjects and perspectives

Upon accepting an offer of employment with us, the candidate will receive an invitation for a required background check, employment verification, and 5-panel drug screen as a part of the hiring process.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Complete application files will be accepted on a continuous basis and remain active for one year. While we sincerely appreciate all applications, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Additional Notes:
  • All Adjunct positions are part-time, temporary assignments (for no more than one semester at a time), dependent upon student enrollment and instructional needs, and subject to budget consideration and approval. DigiPen Institute of Technology reserves the right to extend application deadlines and/or not to offer advertised positions.

Equal opportunity is a priority of DigiPen Institute of Technology, as the institution is committed to fostering a positive learning environment for all. The Institute's intent is to hire the most qualified individuals for faculty and staff, attracting candidates from diverse backgrounds of race and ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, veteran status, nationality, culture, religion, and physical abilities. We are committed to broadening our candidate pool to include more diverse individuals and ensuring fairness in hiring by avoiding bias and determining criteria to judge all candidates prior to posting each new position.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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