ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Gameplay Programmer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

thatgamecompany

Gameplay Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · Remote

$105K - $133K/yr

Gameplay Engineer Remote US & Canada We're looking for an exceptional Gameplay Engineer to join our live team to help craft the most advanced social game on earth. Elements that can help us meet the ...

2K

Gameplay Engineer

Novato, CA

$85K - $126K/yr

As a Gameplay Engineer at Cloud Chamber you will bridge the gap between technical execution and creative vision, ensuring that our player-centric gameplay feels as impactful as it looks. You will ...

Cloud Chamber

Gameplay Engineer

Novato, CA

$85K - $126K/yr

As a Gameplay Engineer at Cloud Chamber you will bridge the gap between technical execution and creative vision, ensuring that our player-centric gameplay feels as impactful as it looks. You will ...

Cloud Chamber

Gameplay Engineer

Novato, CA · On-site

$85K - $126K/yr

As a Gameplay Engineer at Cloud Chamber you will bridge the gap between technical execution and creative vision, ensuring that our player-centric gameplay feels as impactful as it looks. You will ...

AGBO

Senior Gameplay Engineer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

As Senior Gameplay Engineer, you are a versatile engineer who thrives in a collaborative environment and deeply enjoys empowering designers. You will work closely with designers and the broader ...

2K

Gameplay Engineer

Novato, CA · On-site

$85K - $126K/yr

As a Gameplay Engineer at Cloud Chamber you will bridge the gap between technical execution and creative vision, ensuring that our player-centric gameplay feels as impactful as it looks. You will ...

AGBO Films LLC

Senior Gameplay Engineer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

As Senior Gameplay Engineer, you are a versatile engineer who thrives in a collaborative environment and deeply enjoys empowering designers. You will work closely with designers and the broader ...

AGBO

Senior Gameplay Engineer

Raleigh, NC

As Senior Gameplay Engineer, you are a versatile engineer who thrives in a collaborative environment and deeply enjoys empowering designers. You will work closely with designers and the broader ...

teamLFG

OR

As a Senior Gameplay Engineer - Gameplay Tools on teamLFG, you'll help build the bridge between the engine and our content creators, empowering them to create the game in an online environment that ...

Skydance

Senior Gameplay Engineer

OR · Remote

$150K - $180K/yr

Help establish engineering standards and improve team-wide AI development workflows Requirements/Qualifications * 7+ years of professional gameplay/AI engineering experience * Proven experience ...

New

Skydance

Senior Gameplay Engineer

OR · Remote

$150K - $180K/yr

Help establish engineering standards and improve team-wide AI development workflows Requirements/Qualifications * 7+ years of professional gameplay/AI engineering experience * Proven experience ...

New

Skydance

Senior Gameplay Engineer

OR · Remote

$150K - $180K/yr

Help establish engineering standards and improve team-wide AI development workflows Requirements/Qualifications * 7+ years of professional gameplay/AI engineering experience * Proven experience ...

New

Spellbrush

Game Programmer (Unity)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

The Unity Engineer Role: We are looking for an experienced game engineer with strong C# and Unity skills. You will be working closely with a small, multidisciplinary team to build out our upcoming ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsGameplay Programmer Jobs

Gameplay Programmer information

See salary details

$96.5K

$135.2K

$143.5K

How much do gameplay programmer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for gameplay programmer in the United States is $135,232.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $129,000.00 and $143,000.00 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 cities are hiring for Gameplay Programmer jobs? Cities with the most Gameplay Programmer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Gameplay Programmer jobs? The most popular types of Gameplay Programmer jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Gameplay Programmer jobs? The top employers for Gameplay Programmer jobs are:
What states have the most Gameplay Programmer jobs? States with the most job openings for Gameplay Programmer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Gameplay Programmer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Gameplay Programmer jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Gameplay Programmer jobs? For Gameplay Programmer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Gameplay Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Gameplay Programmer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 59% Full Time, 32% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 4% Contract, and 4% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $135,232 per year, or $65 per hour.
Senior Gameplay Engineer, Game Studio

Senior Gameplay Engineer, Game Studio

Netflix

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago

Netflix rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

58th of 67 rated media

Job description

Netflix is one of the world's leading entertainment services with 278 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, films and games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can play, pause and resume watching as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, and can change their plans at any time.
The Role
Senior Gameplay Engineer, Game Studio
ABOUT OUR TEAM
We're a group of developers, artists, and storytellers who make games full of wonder, danger, and humor. Everyone at our studio, whether an industry vet or a new voice, impacts each game through collaborative feedback, mutual respect, and creative empowerment. If you want to make games that leave a meaningful impact on players, we want to hear from you.
We're looking for new teammates who deeply care about the work they do, the stories they tell, and the people they create with. As part of the Netflix team, we strive to hire the best and value integrity, excellence, respect, inclusion, and collaboration.
Learn how our story-loving game people came to join Netflix's team of game-loving story people.
ENGINEERING AT NIGHT SCHOOL
Software development is just as creative as other roles at Night School. Our engineering team highly values cross-disciplinary thinking. Creating great gameplay experiences requires engineers to not only imagine elegant, extensible, and optimized systems, but also to appreciate, communicate, and integrate with art, design, and narrative. Here, you'll flex your ingenuity and skill in multiple areas as needs arise, whether directly in our games, as part of a development support system, or as part of our in-house storytelling toolset, NightTools.
ABOUT THE ROLE
We're looking for a talented, driven, and passionate gameplay engineer to help us build the best experiences possible for our existing and upcoming games. As a Senior Gameplay Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in the design and development of gameplay mechanics that will define the player experience in our upcoming titles. We're seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual with proven experience in gameplay development, a keen eye for game design, and a passion for creating memorable gameplay experiences.
Responsibilities:
  • Collaborate closely with the design team to understand gameplay objectives and translate them into technical solutions.
  • Iterate with design to ensure those technical solutions "feel" right.
  • Optimize and maintain existing gameplay systems to ensure fluid and engaging player experiences.
  • Mentor and provide guidance to junior engineers, sharing your expertise in gameplay development.
  • Identify technical challenges and propose innovative solutions to overcome them.
  • Debug and resolve gameplay-related issues, ensuring high-quality and bug-free gameplay experiences.
  • Stay up-to-date with industry trends and emerging technologies to continually enhance our gameplay capabilities.

Skills & Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field (or equivalent work experience).
  • 7+ years of professional experience in gameplay development.
  • High proficiency with Unity.
  • Two or more published games for mobile, consoles, or desktop platforms.
  • Significant experience with C#.

About you:
  • Driven to maintain the highest-quality experiences for players.
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently as well as in a team.
  • Skilled at writing code that is elegant, extensible, and optimized.
  • A keen eye for design and the "feel" of a game.
  • Proficient at giving and receiving quality feedback.
  • Self-starter willing to seek out solutions and ask questions when necessary.
  • Mindful of the needs of a team as individuals and as a whole.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and celebrate diversity, recognizing that diversity of thought and background builds stronger teams. We approach diversity and inclusion seriously and thoughtfully. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service.

What Netflix employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Netflix logo

About Netflix

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with 222 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries, feature films and mobile games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

Industry

Arts, entertainment, and recreation

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Gatos, CA, US

Year founded

1997

View All Netflix Jobs

Apply