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Game Weapons Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Epic Games

Game Designer, Activities

Cary, NC · On-site

$143K/yr

What You'll Do Epic Games is looking for a Gameplay Designer to help create compelling gameplay ... weapon/itemization use, and combat systems contributing to delivering the most emergent player ...

AGBO

NPC Designer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

As a NPC Designer, you'll be hands-on in designing and implementing the moment-to-moment gameplay ... weapons, and feedback loops. * Contribute to the development and optimization of gameplay to ...

AGBO

NPC Designer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

As a NPC Designer, you'll be hands-on in designing and implementing the moment-to-moment gameplay ... weapons, and feedback loops. * Contribute to the development and optimization of gameplay to ...

AGBO Films LLC

NPC Designer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

As a NPC Designer, you'll be hands-on in designing and implementing the moment-to-moment gameplay ... weapons, and feedback loops. * Contribute to the development and optimization of gameplay to ...

Scopely

$91K - $103K/yr

... like weapons, hero kits, ability designs, etc.) for a live service. * Experience using level design tools to layout encounters in an action-adventure game, with an emphasis on player agency and ...

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How much do game weapons designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for game weapons designer in the United States is $149,118.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $155,000.00 and $155,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by a Game Weapons Designer when balancing weapon functionality and game fairness?

A Game Weapons Designer often encounters the challenge of ensuring that each weapon feels unique and exciting while maintaining overall game balance. Creating weapons that are both powerful and fair requires careful playtesting, data analysis, and collaboration with gameplay designers to avoid overpowered or underwhelming options. Additionally, designers must consider the impact of new weapons on existing gameplay mechanics and player strategies, which can involve iterative adjustments and feedback from the wider development team. Working closely with artists, animators, and audio specialists is also key to creating weapons that are not only balanced but visually and sonically engaging.

What does a Game Weapons Designer do?

A Game Weapons Designer is responsible for creating and balancing the weapons used in video games. They design the visual appearance, functionality, and mechanics of each weapon to ensure they fit the game's theme and provide a fun, engaging experience for players. This role involves close collaboration with artists, animators, and gameplay programmers to implement weapons that are both visually appealing and mechanically balanced. Game Weapons Designers also play a key role in testing and iterating on weapon designs based on player feedback and game requirements.

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

To thrive as a Game Weapons Designer, you need a strong background in 3D modeling, game design principles, and a solid understanding of weapon mechanics, often supported by a degree in game design or related fields. Familiarity with industry-standard tools like Maya, Blender, Substance Painter, and game engines such as Unreal Engine or Unity is essential. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective collaboration skills help to create innovative and balanced weapon designs that enhance gameplay. These skills ensure that weapons are visually appealing, technically functional, and contribute positively to the player's experience.

What is the difference between Game Weapons Designer vs Game Character Artist?

AspectGame Weapons DesignerGame Character Artist
Required SkillsCreative design, 3D modeling, knowledge of weapon mechanicsCharacter modeling, texturing, anatomy, concept art
Work EnvironmentGame development studios, collaborative teamsGame development studios, artistic teams
Industry UsageVideo game industry, especially action and shooter genresVideo game industry, character-centric games

Game Weapons Designers focus on creating and designing in-game weapons, requiring skills in modeling, mechanics, and visual effects. In contrast, Game Character Artists specialize in designing and modeling characters, emphasizing anatomy and artistic style. Both roles are essential in game development, often working closely but with distinct skill sets and responsibilities.

What degree do I need to design weapons?

Game weapons designers typically have a bachelor's degree in fields such as game design, computer graphics, animation, or a related area. Strong skills in 3D modeling, programming, and understanding of game engines are also important for designing weapons in video games.
Infographic showing various Game Weapons Designer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, and 10% Part Time. Highlights an 90% In-person, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $149,118 per year, or $71.7 per hour.
Game Designer, Activities

Game Designer, Activities

Epic Games

Cary, NC • On-site

$143K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

WHAT MAKES US EPIC?
At the core of Epic's success are talented, passionate people. Epic prides itself on creating a collaborative, welcoming, and creative environment. Whether it's building award-winning games or crafting engine technology that enables others to make visually stunning interactive experiences, we're always innovating.
Being Epic means being a part of a team that continually strives to do right by our community and users. We're constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development.
DESIGN
What We Do
Put your design skills to work at a cutting-edge company that challenges the norm. From character and level design to competitive gameplay and system design, help shape the future of interactive entertainment at Epic.
What You'll Do
Epic Games is looking for a Gameplay Designer to help create compelling gameplay experiences across combat, progression, systems, moment-to-moment mechanics, and live gameplay content for our collaboration with Disney. In this role, you'll partner closely with design leadership, art, engineering, animation, UX, audio, production, and QA to deliver high-quality features from concept through ship.
You will own and iterate on gameplay systems, mechanics, and content while balancing player experience, readability, accessibility, engagement, and long-term retention. The ideal candidate is highly collaborative, deeply player-focused, and comfortable working in a fast-paced cross-disciplinary environment where iteration and feedback are core to development.
In this role, you will
  • Work in close collaboration with project leads & directors to design, prototype, tune, and ship features and systems that support the engagement, gameplay, and creative vision of the project
  • Document and create clear, actionable design documents, and iterate on these features, working with a team of developers across multiple disciplines, and oversee their successful implementation from start to finish
  • Get hands-on creating the scripting, data, and content required by those features, diving into the engine, and leveraging other tools
  • Be responsible for soliciting and rapidly integrating feedback from across the team on your own initiative, ensuring we're continually delivering a fun and fresh experience to our players
  • Help establish and maintain design pipelines, best practices, and cross-discipline communication standards to scope, prioritize deliverables, and hit milestone goals
What we're looking for
  • 5+ years of experience shipping first or third-person shooter titles as a Gameplay Designer, working on itemization, gameplay systems, combat, ability systems, features, and content
  • Strong scripting and technical capabilities. Bonus points if you have experience with Unreal Engine and the Ability System
  • Experience working on live-service multiplayer environments
  • Demonstrated talent and a deep understanding of gameplay feel, player motivations or intent, gameplay mechanics, weapon/itemization use, and combat systems contributing to delivering the most emergent player experience
  • Ability to break down high-level creative direction into actionable gameplay features and production-ready tasks
  • Ability to work independently, take initiative, and react quickly to changing project needs, drive decisions, and then own the outcome and vision
  • Commitment to quality, rapid iteration, and delivering exceptional player experiences
EPIC JOB + EPIC BENEFITS = EPIC LIFE
Our intent is to cover all things that are medically necessary and improve the quality of life. We pay 100% of the premiums for both you and your dependents. Our coverage includes Medical, Dental, a Vision HRA, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance & a 401k with competitive match. We also offer a robust mental well-being program through Modern Health, which provides free therapy and coaching for employees & dependents. Throughout the year we celebrate our employees with events and company-wide paid breaks. We offer unlimited PTO and sick time and recognize individuals for 7 years of employment with a paid sabbatical.
ABOUT US
Epic Games spans across 25 countries with 46 studios and 4,500+ employees globally. For over 25 years, we've been making award-winning games and engine technology that empowers others to make visually stunning games and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being embraced by content creators across a variety of industries such as media and entertainment, automotive, and architectural design. As we continue to build our Engine technology and develop remarkable games, we strive to build teams of world-class talent.
Like what you hear? Come be a part of something Epic!
Epic Games deeply values diverse teams and an inclusive work culture, and we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. Learn more about our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy here.
Note to Recruitment Agencies: Epic does not accept any unsolicited resumes or approaches from any unauthorized third party (including recruitment or placement agencies) (i.e., a third party with whom we do not have a negotiated and validly executed agreement). We will not pay any fees to any unauthorized third party. Further details on these matters can be found here.

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