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Gameplay Programmer Jobs in Kent, WA (NOW HIRING)

Doist

CONTRACT - Gameplay Software Engineer II

Redmond, WA · On-site

$73.01 - $108.83/hr

Good understanding of core technologies, toolsets, and common workflows for video game development. * Ability to read and debug other engineers' code and solve engineering problems in the relevant ...

New

Unitytech

Staff Software Engineer, Gaming AI

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$200K - $260K/yr

As a Staff Software Engineer on our gaming AI team, you will be responsible for leading the delivery of cloud services and features that power this platform. This is new and challenging work at the ...

Hasbro

Sr Game Developer - D&D

Renton, WA · On-site

$112K - $168K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Game Developer to provide in-depth review and quality control of D&D products produced outside the Game Design team. In this role, you'll ensure that game content is ...

Studio Wildcard

Sr. Engine Programmer

Bellevue, WA · Remote

We are looking for a Senior Engine Programmer, a true tinkerer at heart who wants to get their ... Debug and patch complex gameplay and engine-level vulnerabilities to shut down client-side exploits ...

Studio Wildcard

Sr. Engine Programmer

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Engine Programmer, a true tinkerer at heart who wants to get their ... Debug and patch complex gameplay and engine-level vulnerabilities to shut down client-side exploits ...

Studio Wildcard

Sr. Engine Programmer

Bellevue, WA · Remote

We are looking for a Senior Engine Programmer, a true tinkerer at heart who wants to get their ... Debug and patch complex gameplay and engine-level vulnerabilities to shut down client-side exploits ...

Skydance

Principal Engineer

Seattle, WA · Hybrid

$217K - $246K/yr

Skydance Games , a division of Paramount, a Skydance Corporation, is building the future of ... The Principal Engineer plays a critical role in driving innovation and ensuring that the ...

Skydance

Principal Engineer

Seattle, WA · Remote

$217K - $246K/yr

Skydance Games , a division of Paramount, a Skydance Corporation, is building the future of ... The Principal Engineer plays a critical role in driving innovation and ensuring that the ...

Studio Wildcard

Senior Graphics Programmer

Bellevue, WA · On-site

We are looking for a Senior Graphics Programmer with an obsessive focus on performance and visual ... What other games are you currently playing About The Studio Studio Wildcard was founded in 2014 by ...

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All JobsGameplay Programmer JobsGameplay Programmer Jobs in Kent, WA

Gameplay Programmer information

See Kent, WA salary details

$108.9K

$152.7K

$162K

How much do gameplay programmer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for gameplay programmer in Kent, WA is $152,662.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $145,600.00 and $161,400.00 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 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.

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.

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For Gameplay Programmer jobs in Kent, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Gameplay Programmer jobs in Kent, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Gameplay Programmer jobs in Kent, WA are:

What cities near Kent, WA are hiring for Gameplay Programmer jobs?

Cities near Kent, WA with the most Gameplay Programmer job openings:

Gameplay Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Gameplay Programmer job openings in Kent, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 46% Full Time, 33% Part Time, 17% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% In-person, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $152,662 per year, or $73.4 per hour.

Server Engineer - Unannounced Project

Lightfox Games

Seattle, WA • On-site

$130 - $155/hr

Other

Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

Lightfox Games is seeking a talented and enthusiastic Server Engineer to join our Seattle, Washington based team to work on an unannounced mobile game for a world-class IP and Publisher. This role is hybrid out of our downtown Seattle office, with approximately 50% of time expected in-person.

Responsibilities
  • Design, build, and maintain scalable server-side systems that power core game features including player data, live ops, matchmaking, and social features
  • Collaborate closely with Gameplay Engineers, Designers, and Producers to implement and ship backend features that support a great player experience
  • Own backend features end-to-end, from technical design and implementation through testing, deployment, and live support
  • Build and maintain reliable, observable, and performant services with an eye toward scalability as the player base grows
  • Contribute to backend architecture decisions and help establish engineering standards for a growing team
Requirements
  • 5+ years of professional software engineering experience, including meaningful backend ownership on at least one shipped online or mobile title
  • Strong proficiency in Typescript and at least one other backend language, such as Go, Python, or Rust
  • Experience designing and maintaining RESTful or real-time APIs, with a solid understanding of networking fundamentals
  • Familiarity with GCP and/or Firebase tech stack, including deployment, monitoring, and scaling
  • Understand the “Why” of the features you’re building, and collaborate with the team to find creative solutions to enhance development speed and quality
  • Solid understanding of databases (both relational and NoSQL) and experience optimizing for performance, high scalability, and reliability
  • Experience leveraging AI tools and LLMs to accelerate backend development, code review, or documentation workflows
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills, comfortable working cross-functionally in small, fast-moving teams
  • Self-motivated and comfortable with ownership in an ambiguous, early-stage environment
Nice to Have
  • Experience building backend systems for mobile free-to-play games, including live ops infrastructure, event systems, or economy services
  • Experience with real-time multiplayer or social features such as guilds, leaderboards, or co-op systems
  • Familiarity with Unity and experience integrating server-side systems with a Unity client
Compensation

US$130,000 – US$155,000 depending on experience, plus health/vision/dental coverage, 401(k) matching, commuting benefits, and equity.

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