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Gameplay Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Valicy

Gameplay Systems Engineer

Greenville, NC · On-site

Gameplay Systems Engineer Location : Greenville, NC Department : AI Studio Reports To : Director Status : Exempt WHO WE ARE: We are Valicy. We make games. We also make the machines they run on. What ...

Epic Games

Gameplay Designer

Cary, NC · On-site

Implement technical design solutions directly in engine, working closely with engineers to build, iterate, and debug gameplay features * Set and maintain high-quality standards for design, actively ...

Epic Games

Lead Gameplay Programmer

Cary, NC · On-site

What You'll Do We are seeking an experienced Lead Gameplay Engineer to direct gameplay teams within Rocket League. They will be responsible for leading the gameplay engineering team and collaborating ...

teamLFG

OR · On-site

... programmers, audio professionals, quality assurance and producers to achieve a common goal, with ... stub out gameplay ideas to evaluate their potential Strong technical scripting skills and ...

ZeniMax Media

Multiplayer Gameplay Programmer

Dallas, TX · On-site

$127K - $141K/yr

ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Bethesda Game Studios, is seeking a Multiplayer Gameplay Programmer to join their award-winning development team. The role involves collaborating on the ...

ZeniMax Media

Multiplayer Gameplay Programmer

Austin, TX · On-site

$127K - $141K/yr

ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Bethesda Game Studios, is seeking a Multiplayer Gameplay Programmer to join their award-winning development team. The role involves collaborating on the ...

ZeniMax Media

Multiplayer Gameplay Programmer

Rockville, MD · On-site

$131K - $145K/yr

ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Bethesda Game Studios, is seeking a Multiplayer Gameplay Programmer to join their award-winning development team. The role involves collaborating on the ...

teamLFG

Staff Gameplay Designer - Social (Contract)

$76 - $115/hr

... programmers, audio professionals, quality assurance and producers to achieve a common goal, with ... out gameplay ideas to evaluate their potential • Strong technical scripting skills and ...

Apex Informatics

Roblox Engineer

Design and develop interactive game features and systems on the Roblox platform. * Write efficient, modular, and scalable code in Lua. * Collaborate with designers, 3D artists, and sound engineers to ...

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Gameplay Engineer information

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$81K

$145.4K

$205K

How much do gameplay engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for gameplay engineer 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 are the typical daily responsibilities of a Gameplay Engineer?

Gameplay Engineers are responsible for designing, implementing, and optimizing gameplay features such as character movement, AI behaviors, user interfaces, and interactive systems. On a daily basis, they collaborate closely with designers, artists, and other programmers to translate creative concepts into functional game mechanics. This often includes writing and testing code, debugging issues, and participating in team meetings to review progress and provide technical input. The role requires balancing technical performance with the creative vision of the game, making each day dynamic and engaging.

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

To thrive as a Gameplay Engineer, you need strong programming skills in languages such as C++ or C#, a solid understanding of game development principles, and a degree in computer science or related fields. Experience with popular game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine and familiarity with source control tools are typically required. Creative problem-solving, collaboration, and effective communication are valuable soft skills in this role. These abilities are crucial for building engaging gameplay features, ensuring technical quality, and working efficiently with designers and artists.

What does a Gameplay Engineer do?

A Gameplay Engineer designs, implements, and optimizes game mechanics, player interactions, and core gameplay systems. They collaborate with designers, artists, and other engineers to bring engaging experiences to life. Their role involves coding in game engines like Unity or Unreal, debugging issues, and ensuring smooth gameplay. They may also work on AI behavior, physics, and animations to enhance immersion. Strong problem-solving skills and proficiency in languages like C++ or C# are essential.

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Gameplay Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Gameplay Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 99% Full Time, and 1% Part Time. Highlights an 95% Physical, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,359 per year, or $69.9 per hour.
Senior Software Engineer, Gameplay Systems & Animation - Unpublished R&D Product

Senior Software Engineer, Gameplay Systems & Animation - Unpublished R&D Product

Riot Games

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Riot engineers bring deep knowledge of specific technical areas but also value the opportunity to work in a variety of broader domains. As a Software Engineer, you'll also dive into projects that focus on team cohesiveness and cross-team objectives. You'll drive important features and provide other engineers with a clear illustration of extraordinary engineering.
As a Senior Software Engineer (Gameplay Systems & Animation ) on an unpublished R&D product, you will report to the Gameplay Engineering Lead, you'll help bring our characters to life through responsive, expressive, and high-quality animation systems. You'll work at the intersection of gameplay engineering and content creation - partnering closely with animators, designers, and technical artists to build scalable systems that power movement, locomotion, and moment-to-moment feel. This role collaborates with multiple groups within the gameplay team, contributing directly to the quality, polish, and performance of our core combat experience. The ideal candidate is passionate about player feel, thrives in cross-disciplinary collaboration, and takes pride in building robust systems that unlock content at scale.
Responsibilities:
  • Design, prototype, and implement robust, scalable gameplay and animation systems, evolving underlying systems to improve reuse, polish, maintainability, and performance.
  • Contribute to locomotion, movement feel, and animation-driven gameplay systems across multiple gameplay domains.
  • Partner closely with animators and technical artists to improve workflows, clarify handoff points, and enable efficient content production.
  • Identify technical risks in animation and gameplay systems and collaborate with technical leaders to implement sustainable architectural solutions.
  • Contribute to adjacent gameplay domains such as combat systems, camera, VFX integration, or other core gameplay systems as needed.
  • Mentor peers across disciplines by sharing insights on animation systems, gameplay feel, and technical problem-solving.
Required Qualifications:
  • 5+ years of professional experience in game development.
  • 3+ years of experience developing or supporting animation systems.
  • Strong C++ programming skills and solid computer science fundamentals.
  • Experience working with Unreal Engine, including its animation systems.
  • Experience implementing gameplay systems closely tied to animation
  • Strong debugging, optimization, and performance-tuning skills.
  • Experience collaborating effectively in cross-disciplinary teams, with strong product sense and player empathy.
Desired Qualifications:
  • Familiarity with Unreal Engine internals and extending or modifying engine animation systems.
  • Experience improving content pipelines and animation workflows.
  • Exposure to related domains such as gameplay VFX, camera systems, etc.
  • Experience working on mid-sized engineering teams in a live or in-development game environment.

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise and a collaborative spirit that prioritizes the delight of players. We will look at your past studies and experience, but for this role, we also look for dedicated people with a personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about players' experiences, this is the role for you!
Our Perks:
Riot focuses on work/life balance, shown by our open paid time off policy and other perks such as flexible work schedules. We offer medical, dental, and life insurance, parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and children, and a 401k with company match. Check out our benefits pages for more information.
At Riot Games, we put players first. That mission drives every decision in our quest to create games and experiences that make it better to be a player. Whether you're working directly on a new player-facing experience or you're supporting the company as a whole, everyone at Riot is part of our mission. And just like in our games, we're better when we work together. Our goal is to create collaborative teams where you are empowered to bring your unique perspective everyday. If that sounds like the kind of place you want to work, we're looking forward to your application.
It's our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and members of Riot Games, Inc. Riot Games makes reasonable accommodations for handicapped and disabled Rioters and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, handicap, veteran status, marital status, criminal history, or any other category protected by applicable federal and state law. We consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the Washington Fair Chance Act.
Per the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the following core duties may create a basis for disqualifying candidates with relevant criminal histories:
  • Safeguarding confidential and sensitive Company data
  • Communication with others, including Rioters and third parties such as vendors, and/or players, including minors
  • Accessing Company assets, secure digital systems, and networks
  • Ensuring a safe interactive environment for players and other Rioters

These duties are directly related to essential operations, safety, trust, and compliance obligations within our organization. Please note that job duties may evolve based on business needs and additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to maintain operational efficiency and security.
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About Riot Games

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Riot Games was founded in 2006 by Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill with the intent to change the way video games are made and supported for players. In 2009, Riot released its debut title League of Legends to worldwide acclaim. The game has since gone on to become the most played PC game in the world and a key driver of the explosive growth of esports. Players are the foundation of our community and it's for them we continue to evolve and improve the League of Legends experience.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2006

Social media

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