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Gameplay Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Exploding Kittens

Contract Game Designer

Los Angeles, CA

$167K/yr

The Game Designer plays a key role in the game and product development process from start to finish ... Design and develop several projects, responding to feedback from key stakeholders to craft gameplay ...

MobilityWare

Game Designer

Lehi, UT · On-site

$145K/yr

You'll also work directly in Unity to generate content and refine gameplay experiences, all while ... Be a generalist game designer, ready to work end-to-end, from core loop development to live service ...

Exploding Kittens

Contract Game Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$30 - $38/hr

The Game Designer plays a key role in the game and product development process from start to finish ... Design and develop several projects, responding to feedback from key stakeholders to craft gameplay ...

Cat Daddy

Game Designer

Kirkland, WA

$78K - $116K/yr

Design new gameplay experiences including time-limited events, alternative game modes, and mini ... Experience designing card-collecting, card-battling, and/or deck-building games is a plus!

Cat Daddy

Game Designer

Kirkland, WA · On-site

$78K - $116K/yr

Design new gameplay experiences including time-limited events, alternative game modes, and mini ... Experience designing card-collecting, card-battling, and/or deck-building games is a plus!

Intrepid Studios

Gameplay Programmer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$136K - $151K/yr

Work with game designers, artists, and other engineers to create compelling experiences * Break-down design goals into smaller technical tasks * Provide feedback on gameplay and offer suggestions for ...

2K

Game Designer

Kirkland, WA · On-site

$78K - $116K/yr

Design new gameplay experiences including time-limited events, alternative game modes, and mini ... Experience designing card-collecting, card-battling, and/or deck-building games is a plus!

Intrepid Studios

Gameplay Programmer

San Diego, CA

$136K - $151K/yr

Work with game designers, artists, and other engineers to create compelling experiences * Break-down design goals into smaller technical tasks * Provide feedback on gameplay and offer suggestions for ...

Booz Allen Hamilton

Game Designer

Washington, DC

$77K - $176K/yr

As a game designer, you're excited at the prospect of unlocking the secrets held by a data set, and you're fascinated by the possibilities presented by IoT, machine learning, and artificial ...

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Gameplay Designer information

See salary details

$81K

$145.4K

$205K

How much do gameplay designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for gameplay designer in the United States is $145,359.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $116,000.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a typical day look like for a Gameplay Designer?

A typical day for a Gameplay Designer often involves collaborating with programmers, artists, and other designers to brainstorm new features, refine mechanics, and address feedback from playtests. You can expect to design and document gameplay systems, tweak parameters for balance, and prototype new ideas to see how they work in practice. Communication with cross-functional teams is frequent to ensure all aspects of the gameplay are cohesive and fun for players. Additionally, regular participation in team meetings and reviews helps keep everyone aligned on project vision and priorities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Gameplay Designer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Gameplay Designer, you need strong game design fundamentals, creative problem-solving abilities, and a solid understanding of player experience and engagement. Experience with industry-standard tools such as Unity, Unreal Engine, scripting languages (like C# or Blueprint), and familiarity with version control systems is highly valued. Excellent teamwork, communication skills, and a collaborative mindset are essential for effectively working with development teams and stakeholders. These skills help ensure the creation of compelling and balanced gameplay experiences that resonate with players and meet project goals.

What does a Gameplay Designer do?

A Gameplay Designer is responsible for creating and refining the interactive systems that define the player's experience in a game. They design mechanics, gameplay loops, and balance difficulty to ensure an engaging and fun experience. This role involves collaborating with programmers, artists, and other designers to implement and iterate on gameplay elements. Gameplay Designers also analyze player feedback and data to fine-tune mechanics and improve overall game feel.

More about Gameplay Designer jobs
What cities are hiring for Gameplay Designer jobs? Cities with the most Gameplay Designer job openings:
What states have the most Gameplay Designer jobs? States with the most job openings for Gameplay Designer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Gameplay Designer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Gameplay Designer jobs are:
Gameplay Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Gameplay Designer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% Internship, 55% Full Time, 31% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 7% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,359 per year, or $69.9 per hour.
Contract Game Designer

Contract Game Designer

Exploding Kittens

Los Angeles, CA

$167K/yr

Contractor

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

This is a contract position for the role of Game Designer, anticipated to run for approximately three months with the possibility of extension based on business needs. The Game Designer plays a key role in the game and product development process from start to finish. In this role you'll be responsible for pitching original concepts, developing pitches from team members and external inventors, and researching ongoing industry trends.

The ideal candidate will have a deep love for mass market party games, both as a designer and a player. We want team members with strong perspectives, collaborative mindsets, and clear communication skills. You'll be expected to support multiple projects simultaneously, with opportunities to learn from experienced designers and support up-and-coming talent.

If you're someone who thinks about games constantly (in a good way), obsesses over what makes people laugh, connect, and come back for more, and loves turning great ideas into unforgettable experiences, you'll fit right in.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

  • Design and develop several projects, responding to feedback from key stakeholders to craft gameplay that is fun, marketable, and innovative

  • Pitch original game ideas, researching and developing concepts on your own and with other designers

  • Provide feedback for and develop pitches from external inventors

  • Facilitate or participate in in-person and remote playtesting sessions

  • Write instructions & "How to Play" video scripts with accessibility and clarity in mind

  • Partner with internal stakeholders to support development/publication, collaborating cross-functionally with Creative Operations, Production & Sourcing

WHAT WE NEED

  • 3+ years of tabletop game design/development experience

  • A love for, and strong knowledge of, successful mass market retail party games

  • An understanding of fundamental game design principles and player motivations

  • Experience writing and editing game rules and "how to play" video scripts

  • A basic understanding of graphic design, UX principles, and tools including Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop

  • A basic understanding of organization/presentation tools, including Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides

This salary represents a range for the position and will ultimately depend on the individual's qualifications and years of experience, location, and is subject to change.
As an Equal Employment Opportunity employer we are committed to complying with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunity to applicants and employees regardless of sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), race (including protected hairstyles such as dreadlocks, braids and twists), religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, gender (including gender identity and gender expression and/or the fact that an individual is transgender, transitioning or transitioned), color, ancestry, national origin, possession of a driver’s license, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information/trait/condition, marital or familial status, family care or medical leave status, registered domestic partner status, age, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, membership in military reserves, political affiliation, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law or ordinance or regulation  We consider all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable local, state and federal “ban the box” and “fair chance” laws. 

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.