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Gameplay Programmer Jobs in Atlanta, GA (NOW HIRING)

Templar Media

Lead Gameplay Programmer

Alpharetta, GA · On-site

$125K - $139K/yr

As an independent developer and publisher, Templar develops the games that we want, on our own schedule. We are actively staffing up for both in-house game development and supporting published titles.

AGS LLC

DevOps Platform Engineer

Atlanta, GA · On-site +1

$50.75 - $69.50/hr

Support game build pipelines -- understand and support the Unity game build process including ... Create developer-friendly infrastructure -- reduce friction for game developers, AI engineers, and ...

AGS LLC

DevOps Platform Engineer

Duluth, GA · On-site +1

$48.50 - $66.50/hr

Support game build pipelines -- understand and support the Unity game build process including ... Create developer-friendly infrastructure -- reduce friction for game developers, AI engineers, and ...

AGS LLC

DevOps Platform Engineer

Duluth, GA · On-site +1

$48.50 - $66.50/hr

Support game build pipelines -- understand and support the Unity game build process including ... Create developer-friendly infrastructure -- reduce friction for game developers, AI engineers, and ...

AGS LLC

DevOps Platform Engineer

Atlanta, GA · On-site +1

$50.75 - $69.50/hr

Support game build pipelines -- understand and support the Unity game build process including ... Create developer-friendly infrastructure -- reduce friction for game developers, AI engineers, and ...

Hirekeyz Inc

Senior Developer

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$52.50 - $69.25/hr

Key Responsibilities: · Developing techniques that allow LLMs to reliably author complex, game ... game developers, acting as the bridge between their specific needs and our product plans.

AGS

DevOps Platform Engineer

Duluth, GA · On-site

$48.50 - $66.50/hr

The DevOps Engineer is a prerequisite for the AI program - without reliable infrastructure, no ... Support game build pipelines - understand and support the Unity game build process including ...

AGS LLC

Technical Project Manager

Duluth, GA · Remote

This role owns the delivery lifecycle across four interconnected disciplines, DevOps, Game Supported Features, Backend/Frontend Development, and QA, ensuring that roadmap commitments translate into ...

AGS LLC

Technical Project Manager

Duluth, GA · Remote

This role owns the delivery lifecycle across four interconnected disciplines, DevOps, Game Supported Features, Backend/Frontend Development, and QA, ensuring that roadmap commitments translate into ...

AGS

Technical Project Manager

Duluth, GA · On-site

This role owns the delivery lifecycle across four interconnected disciplines, DevOps, Game Supported Features, Backend/Frontend Development, and QA, ensuring that roadmap commitments translate into ...

SCIENTIFIC GAMES

Senior Software Engineer

Alpharetta, GA · On-site

$116K - $153K/yr

Scientific Games is the global leader in lottery games and sports betting technology. The Senior Software Engineer will provide engineering development and leadership on Shared Services products ...

SCIENTIFIC GAMES

Senior Software Engineer

Alpharetta, GA · On-site

$116K - $153K/yr

Scientific Games is the global leader in lottery games, sports betting, and technology, dedicated to enhancing play through innovative solutions. The Senior Software Engineer will lead a technical ...

Scientific Games

Senior Software Engineer

Alpharetta, GA

$119K - $157K/yr

Scientific Games: Scientific Games is the global leader in lottery games, sports betting and ... The Senior Software Engineer will lead a diverse technical team to ensure the successful and timely ...

Scientific Games

Senior Software Engineer

Alpharetta, GA · On-site

$119K - $157K/yr

Scientific Games: Scientific Games is the global leader in lottery games, sports betting and ... The Senior Software Engineer will lead a diverse technical team to ensure the successful and timely ...

Scientific Games

Senior Data Engineer

Alpharetta, GA

$103K - $140K/yr

Scientific Games: Scientific Games is the global leader in lottery games, sports betting and ... Position Summary Scientific Games is hiring a Senior Data Engineer to help build and modernize the ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsGameplay Programmer JobsGameplay Programmer Jobs in Atlanta, GA

Gameplay Programmer information

See Atlanta, GA salary details

$92.8K

$130K

$138K

How much do gameplay programmer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for gameplay programmer in Atlanta, GA is $130,047.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $124,100.00 and $137,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Gameplay Programmer vs Game Developer?

AspectGameplay ProgrammerGame Developer
Primary FocusImplementing gameplay features, mechanics, and systemsDesigning, developing, and managing entire game projects
Skills & CredentialsProgramming skills, understanding of game engines, scriptingProgramming, design, project management, often with broader skill set
Work EnvironmentTypically within a development team, focused on coding and implementationVaries from coding to design, often in larger teams or studios

While both roles involve programming, Gameplay Programmers specialize in creating and implementing gameplay mechanics, whereas Game Developers oversee broader aspects of game creation, including design and project management. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and employer expectations in the gaming industry.

What Is a Gameplay Programmer?

A gameplay programmer helps develop, document, test, and debug online or mobile game systems. Responsibilities include writing code with scripting languages such as C++, JavaScript, HTML, and Python; looking for ways to modify code; implementing functionalities such as controls, AI, and NPC behaviors within an established framework; and fixing design issues. They must communicate and work closely with other programmers to provide technical and creative feedback and meet project goals. Qualifications to become a gameplay programmer include a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science or a similar field and fluency in programming languages.

What does a Gameplay Programmer do?

A Gameplay Programmer is responsible for implementing the interactive elements of a video game, such as character controls, game rules, and mechanics. They work closely with designers and artists to turn creative concepts into playable features, ensuring that gameplay is both fun and functional. Their tasks often include writing code for player actions, AI behavior, and in-game systems, as well as debugging and optimizing game performance. Gameplay Programmers play a crucial role in shaping the overall experience and feel of a game.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Gameplay Programmer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Gameplay Programmer, you need a strong background in computer science, proficiency in programming languages like C++ or C#, and experience with game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine. Familiarity with version control systems, debugging tools, and, in some cases, relevant certifications in game development is also valuable. Creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving are crucial soft skills for collaborating with designers and artists to bring game mechanics to life. These skills ensure the creation of engaging, efficient, and high-quality gameplay experiences that meet both technical and creative goals.

How does a gameplay programmer typically collaborate with designers and artists during game development?

Gameplay programmers work closely with designers to translate creative concepts into interactive mechanics, implementing features such as controls, rules, and character abilities. They also collaborate with artists to ensure animations, visual effects, and assets integrate smoothly with the codebase. Regular communication, prototyping, and iterative testing are crucial, as gameplay programmers often participate in multidisciplinary meetings and provide technical feedback to refine the player experience. This dynamic teamwork helps ensure that gameplay elements are both fun and technically feasible.
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What job categories do people searching Gameplay Programmer jobs in Atlanta, GA look for? The top searched job categories for Gameplay Programmer jobs in Atlanta, GA are:
What cities near Atlanta, GA are hiring for Gameplay Programmer jobs? Cities near Atlanta, GA with the most Gameplay Programmer job openings:
    Gameplay Programmer jobs near you
    Infographic showing various Gameplay Programmer job openings in Atlanta, GA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 11% Temporary, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, 3% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,047 per year, or $62.5 per hour.

    Lead Gameplay Programmer

    Templar Media

    Alpharetta, GA • On-site

    $125K - $139K/yr

    Full-time

    Posted 25 days ago

    Job description

    About Templar: As an independent developer and publisher, Templar develops the games that we want, on our own schedule. We are actively staffing up for both in-house game development and supporting published titles. Templar provides a professional yet non-corporate environment where every team member's input and collaboration matters. Based in Alpharetta, GA just north of Atlanta, Templar is in the perfect area for those that enjoy sunny weather and a relatively low cost of living.
    About the Role: As a Lead Gameplay Programmer at Templar Media, you'll be responsible for driving the technical vision and execution of gameplay systems across our projects. You'll work closely with design and art leadership to prototype, build, and refine the systems that define how players interact with our worlds.
    This role combines hands-on development with mentorship and team coordination; perfect for someone who thrives on solving complex problems, empowering others, and ensuring the gameplay codebase is robust, scalable, and high-performing. The ideal candidate has deep Unreal Engine experience, a love of great gameplay, and a passion for guiding teams toward technical and creative excellence.
    Responsibilities:
    • Lead and execute the development of core gameplay systems from concept through launch and live support.
    • Collaborate with design and art teams to define and refine player experiences.
    • Establish best practices for gameplay architecture, performance, and code quality.
    • Provide technical mentorship and guidance to gameplay programmers.
    • Oversee feature implementation, ensuring consistency, scalability, and maintainability.
    • Review and optimize existing code for efficiency, performance, and clarity.
    • Work with production to plan and prioritize gameplay development tasks.
    • Identify technical risks early and propose effective solutions.
    • Contribute to the overall technical roadmap of the project.
    • Foster a collaborative and positive work environment focused on quality and innovation.

    Qualifications:
    • 6+ years of professional programming experience, with at least 3 years in gameplay-focused roles.
    • Strong expertise with Unreal Engine 4 or 5, including deep understanding of gameplay frameworks.
    • Proficiency in C++ with strong debugging and optimization skills.
    • Experience shipping at least one AA or AAA title.
    • Solid understanding of 3D math, physics, animation integration, and player systems.
    • Proven ability to architect, implement, and maintain large gameplay systems.
    • Experience mentoring or leading other engineers.
    • Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
    • Passion for collaboration and helping bring creative ideas to life through technology.

    Preference to Applicants With:
    • Experience with open-world or co-op game systems.
    • Strong knowledge of Unreal's animation, AI, and input systems.
    • A deeper understanding of game AI and NPC behaviors.
    • Familiarity with mission, quest, or dialogue systems.
    • Experience with combat and stealth mechanics
    • Experience with console development and optimization.
    • Comfort working with complex, legacy, or third-party codebases.
    • A love for games; particularly open-world action-adventure and cooperative experiences.

    Templar offers a highly competitive salary and benefits package and a professional but non-corporate environment. This position is full-time onsite/remote at our studio in Alpharetta, GA.

    Apply