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Gameplay Programmer Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

Zynga

Director of Product - Game of Thrones Slots

Austin, TX · On-site

$231K - $241.90K/yr

Zynga is a mobile game developer that creates and operates social games as live services played on the Internet. Founded in 2007, the company is headquartered in San Mateo, USA, with a team of 1001 ...

Zynga

Senior Product Manager

Austin, TX · On-site

$125.40K - $165.50K/yr

... casual games, focusing on driving results and business performance through analytics and experimentation. Responsibilities : • Lead a team of cross functional developers to take features and ...

Zynga

Senior Product Manager

Austin, TX · On-site

$125.40K - $165.50K/yr

... game, focusing on driving results and business performance. Responsibilities : • Lead a team of cross functional developers to take features and initiatives from concept to launch. Report on ...

Daybreak Games

QA Analyst

Austin, TX · On-site

This is also the home of Rogue Planet Games, developer of the award-winning MMOFPS PlanetSide 2. The perks of working at Daybreak San Diego extend well beyond the beautiful weather in this prime ...

Aspyr Media

Head of Production

Austin, TX · On-site

Aspyr is a leading game publisher and developer, bringing the world's biggest franchises and bold new projects to players everywhere. Since 1996, we've published over 200 games and our team is ...

Zynga

Senior Product Manager - Hit It Rich

Austin, TX · On-site

$125.40K - $165.50K/yr

Zynga is a mobile game developer that creates and operates social games as live services played on the Internet. Founded in 2007, the company is headquartered in San Mateo, USA, with a team of 1001 ...

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Gameplay Programmer information

See Austin, TX salary details

$95.7K

$134K

$142.2K

How much do gameplay programmer jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for gameplay programmer in Austin, TX is $134,043.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,900.00 and $141,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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.

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 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.

More about Gameplay Programmer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Gameplay Programmer jobs in Austin, TX? The most popular types of Gameplay Programmer jobs in Austin, TX are:
What are popular job titles related to Gameplay Programmer jobs in Austin, TX? For Gameplay Programmer jobs in Austin, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Gameplay Programmer jobs in Austin, TX look for? The top searched job categories for Gameplay Programmer jobs in Austin, TX are:
What cities near Austin, TX are hiring for Gameplay Programmer jobs? Cities near Austin, TX with the most Gameplay Programmer job openings:
Gameplay Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Gameplay Programmer job openings in Austin, TX as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 64% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 6% Temporary, and 12% Contract. Highlights an 88% In-person, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $134,043 per year, or $64.4 per hour.
Sr. Graphics Engineer

Sr. Graphics Engineer

Blind Squirrel Entertainment, Inc.

Austin, TX • On-site

$110K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

At Blind Squirrel Games, making great games is only the beginning. Blind Squirrel Games is a proud, independent studio that joins forces with developers and publishers seeking an innovative partner in creating quality games. At BSG, our people are our purpose, so we prioritize an inquisitive, proactive, and collaborative work environment for all our Squirrels.
Blind Squirrel Games is seeking a versatile Senior Graphics Engineer. We value talented and passionate individuals who constantly strive to improve their work. We are looking for people who love both making and playing games. You should be able to effectively communicate, both written and verbal, in a team-oriented work environment.
This is a full-time hybrid position based out of either of our campuses in Irvine, CA, or Austin, TX.
The annual salary for this position is projected to range between $110,000 and $120,000. This range is specific to Southern California, and the final offer may vary based on factors such as experience, skills, performance, location, and organizational needs. Please note that these salary ranges are not applicable to locations outside of the United States.
SENIOR GRAPHICS ENGINEERS AT BSG...
You've familiarized yourself with the ins-and-outs of game development through professional and/or independent work and are confident in your understanding of the game engineering pipeline. You have a solid programming skillset but are ready to challenge yourself by starting to take on more responsibilities and larger projects within your specialization. You may have worn a couple of different hats during your early years in the industry, but you've narrowed down your focus and are fixed on harnessing what you've learned and what you will learn to launch your career as a graphics engineer.
You are collaborative, open-minded, and have an overall pleasant disposition. You can take direction and feedback, are not afraid to ask questions, and understand the value of autonomous work.
Responsibilities
  1. Contribute to the visual fidelity and efficient rendering of our cross-platform title
  2. Extend current graphics-related systems and tools to fit requirements of our game
  3. Maintain a good knowledge of the engine and tools pipeline to facilitate communication and enable identification of issues pertaining to the production or use of the graphics pipeline
  4. Clearly communicate updates and concerns to their manager
  5. Actively maintain skill-set and knowledge base by keeping track of the latest innovations from the industry
  6. Other duties may be assigned to accomplish company or department objectives

Qualifications and Education Requirements
  • 6+ year experience programming in game development
  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related field
  • Unreal Engine experience, specifically working with Graphics(UE4, UE5)

Preferred Skills
  • 3+ years professional experience as graphics programmer
  • Strong C, C++ programming and debugging experience
  • Experience working with current graphics algorithms and hardware
  • Experience with memory management, multi-threading and low-level optimizations
  • PS4, XB1, or Nintendo Switch rendering experience
  • Self-motivated and passionate about computer graphics
  • Thorough understanding of basic graphics techniques relating to lighting, shadowing, etc.
  • Knowledge of shading languages such as HLSL and GLSL
  • Capable of conveying a range of complex technical issues to both technical and non-technical team members.
  • Understanding of complex relationship between written code and its execution on underlying hardware
  • Thorough understanding of current rendering pipeline

Pluses
  • Built an Engine from scratch
  • Worked on a multi-year large-scale game title
  • Experience with Perforce and Git
  • Passion about games and game development
  • Experience with implementing a DirectX, OpenGL, or Vulkan based rendering system and subsystems

Not the area you're looking for? You can see our other roles here: Blind Squirrel Careers
Blind Squirrel Entertainment, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. Eligibility to participate in benefits and perks may vary depending on position term and location.
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