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Gameplay Programmer Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

Cloud Imperium Games

Community Manager

Austin, TX · On-site

Founded in 2012 by renowned game developer Chris Roberts, Cloud Imperium Games (CIG) is one of the largest global independent studios, 1,000+ employees, dedicated to delivering next-generation AAA ...

Hasbro

Social Media Content Creator (Contract)

Austin, TX · On-site

$58/hr

We also believe that game studios should empower top developers and challenge them with ambitious projects that are shaped by a strong, clearly communicated creative vision. What You'll Do: * Develop ...

Aspyr Media, Inc.

Head of Production

Austin, TX · On-site

Working collaboratively with internal departments and external partners, this role will oversee the identification, selection, negotiation, and ongoing management of external game developers and ...

Cloud Imperium Games

Community Manager

Bee Cave, TX · On-site

Founded in 2012 by renowned game developer Chris Roberts, Cloud Imperium Games (CIG) is one of the largest global independent studios, 1,000+ employees, dedicated to delivering next-generation AAA ...

Marencor

Senior XR/Unity Developer

Austin, TX · On-site

Senior XR/Unity Developer Location: Austin TX || Onsite Interview: Virtual Senior XR/Unity ... Master's degree in computer science, Game Development, or a related field. * Experience with ...

Zynga

Director of Product

Austin, TX · On-site

$231K - $241K/yr

Zynga is a mobile game developer that creates and operates social games as live services played on the Internet. It is a sub-organization of Take-Two Interactive Software. Founded in 2007, the ...

Gunfire Games

Senior Build Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$103K - $142K/yr

At Gunfire Games, we're passionate about creating unforgettable worlds and experiences. With a ... You will work closely with programmers, artists, QA, technical teams, and IT to maintain and ...

New

Aspyr Media, Inc.

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 ...

Songwriters Texas LLC

Expert Game Technician

Austin, TX · On-site

This role involves re-keying, cleaning, testing, and programming gaming machines, organizing warehouse inventory, and ensuring quality control. The Expert Game Technician will also be responsible for ...

Mythic Talent

Sales Manager - Cross Realm

Austin, TX · On-site

Proactively identify, research, and engage potential clients (game developers, publishers, and non-endemic brands) through outbound sales efforts * Inbound Lead Management: Manage and negotiate ...

TW Group LLC

Slot Game Designer - Remote

Austin, TX · On-site +1

$151K/yr

Position: Slot Game Designer Location: Las Vegas, NV, or Chicago, IL ( or fully-remote ) Your ... Background in mathematics and/or programming to add complexity to your designs. * Time Traveler:

Mythic Talent

Sales Manager - Cross Realm

Austin, TX · Remote

Proactively identify, research, and engage potential clients (game developers, publishers, and non-endemic brands) through outbound sales efforts * Inbound Lead Management: Manage and negotiate ...

SciPlay Games, LLC

Lead Software Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$140 - $190/hr

Position Summary We're hiring a Lead Software Engineer for Gold Fish Casino Slots. It's a ... Beyond the game server, you'll also influence our admin tooling stack--a PHP backend with jQuery ...

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All JobsGameplay Programmer JobsGameplay Programmer Jobs in Austin, TX

Gameplay Programmer information

See Austin, TX salary details

$95.6K

$134K

$142.2K

How much do gameplay programmer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for gameplay programmer in Austin, TX is $134,011.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,800.00 and $141,700.00 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.
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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 8% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $134,011 per year, or $64.4 per hour.

Unreal Systems Developer

Allen Control Systems

Austin, TX • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

This Roles Area of Focus: C++ Unreal Engine Developer - Robotics Systems & Simulation
Company Overview:
Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a cutting-edge defense startup, founded by two ex-Navy electrical engineers with a proven track record in robotics and software. We are developing a small, autonomous gun turret that employs advanced computer vision and control systems to precisely target and neutralize small drones and loitering munitions. Our innovative approach requires overcoming significant technical challenges, making this an exciting and dynamic environment for experienced engineers.
With an engineering-first culture, ACS values technical excellence and innovation. Backed by our founders' successful exits from two previous venture acquired for a combined $180M in 2022, we are committed to ensuring that the groundbreaking technologies we develop will have a real-world impact.
Position Overview:
We are seeking two highly experienced game developers with expertise in Unreal Engine. These roles will focus on the development of real-time simulations, rendering, and 3D modeling for our autonomous defense systems. Candidates with deep experience in either Rendering/Art/3D Modeling/Shaders or C++ Unreal Engine development are encouraged to apply.
What You'll Do:
  • Lead the development and integration of real-time systems in Unreal Engine for our defense simulation projects.
  • Implement and optimize high-performance code in C++ to ensure smooth and responsive simulations under constrained hardware conditions.
  • Work closely with the electrical engineering and machine learning teams to integrate real-world data and control systems into Unreal simulations via AirSim.
  • Conduct extensive testing, debugging, and optimization to ensure reliable and efficient system performance.
  • Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the growth of Unreal Engine and C++ development expertise within the company.

What You'll Need
  • Strong passion for building high-performance real-time systems using C++ and Unreal Engine.
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
  • Minimum 2 years of experience with Unreal Engine and possess strong C++ development skills.
  • Direct experience working with AirSim and are familiar with integrating simulations with real-world autonomous systems is a plus
  • Proficient in debugging, profiling, and optimizing C++ code for real-time applications.
  • Familarity with networking, multiplayer systems, or parallel processing in Unreal Engine environments.
  • You enjoy working closely with engineers from various disciplines to solve complex technical challenges.
  • Experience in Robotics systems is a plus
  • Unreal Engine C++ Plugin Development experience

What We Offer:
  • Competitive salary
  • ACS Equity Package
  • Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
  • Paid Time Off

Allen Control Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Allen Control Systems prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
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