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Gameplay Programmer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Skydance

Senior Gameplay Engineer

Santa Monica, CA · 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 ...

Valicy

Gameplay Systems Engineer

Greenville, NC

Gameplay Systems Engineer Location : Greenville, NC Department : AI Studio Reports To : Director Status : Exempt WHO WE ARE: We are Valicy. We make games. We also make the machines they run on. What ...

teamLFG

Senior Gameplay Engineer - Gameplay Tools

$160K - $240K/yr

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 ...

Valicy

Gameplay Systems Engineer

Greenville, NC · On-site

Valicy is a company focused on creating excellent gaming experiences and is seeking a Gameplay Systems Engineer. This role is responsible for rapidly prototyping and refining gameplay systems for ...

31st Union

Senior Gameplay Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$108K - $161K/yr

WE ARE GAME MAKERS Who we are: We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and inspired by a culture of inclusivity to build amazing games that ...

Valicy

Gameplay Systems Engineer

Greenville, NC · On-site

They are seeking a Gameplay Systems Engineer responsible for prototyping, implementing, and refining gameplay systems for land-based gaming products while leveraging AI-assisted development tools.

2K

Senior Gameplay Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$108K - $161K/yr

WE ARE GAME MAKERS Who we are: We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and inspired by a culture of inclusivity to build amazing games that ...

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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 Aug 9, 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.
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Gameplay Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Gameplay Programmer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 71% Full Time, and 29% Part Time. Highlights an 86% In-person, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $135,232 per year, or $65 per hour.

Senior Gameplay Engineer

Skydance

OR • Remote

$150K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Skydance Games, a division of Paramount, a Skydance Corporation, is building the future of franchise-driven interactive entertainment. As part of a global storytelling company defined by iconic worlds and multigenerational fandom, we see gaming not as an extension of our brands, but as one of the most powerful ways their stories come to life and evolve alongside the audiences who love them.
Through creativity, collaboration, and trust, we empower our teams to push boundaries and turn bold ideas into experiences that resonate with fans around the world.
Do you want to craft games that challenge expectations and inspire players? Come build something extraordinary with us.  
 
For more information on how we process your personal information, please review the Privacy policy located at https://privacy.paramount.com/recruitment-privacy-notice.
 
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Skydance is looking for a Senior Gameplay AI Engineer skilled in working with creative teams to build key NPC gameplay features and frameworks. 

Currently for this role, we can hire remote candidates with legal residence in Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Texas, and Washington.

Responsibilities
  • Lead the design, architecture, and implementation of core gameplay AI systems
  • Drive technical direction for NPC gameplay systems and AI frameworks
  • Own large-scale AI features from concept through ship
  • Identify and resolve performance, scalability, and technical design challenges across gameplay systems.
  • Partner closely with Design, Animation, Audio, and Production to define and drive AI feature goals
  • Provide technical leadership and guidance across cross-functional gameplay initiative
  • Help establish engineering standards and improve team-wide AI development workflows
Requirements/Qualifications
  • 7+ years of professional gameplay/AI engineering experience
  • Proven experience owning large gameplay or AI systems in a production environment.
  • Experience architecting and implementing AI simulation systems and features from scratch using a combination of C++, Blueprints, and other tools.
  • In-depth knowledge of industry standard gameplay AI simulation systems, techniques and frameworks (e.g, Behavior Trees, FSMs, Utility AI)
  • Demonstrated collaboration with designers, artists, and audio developers to iterate on and refine key AI behaviors and system tunings.
  • Ability to take ownership of major systems, maintain development schedules, and drive major implementation tasks.
  • Extensive experience with Unreal Engine, using and understanding the different gameplay AI authoring tools, modifying and creating custom tech to extend the base engine feature sets.
  • Experience with animation techniques driving AI characters (e.g, Animation Blueprints, Montages, Control Rig, MotionMatching)
  • Self-motivated and self-directing, willing to pitch in areas of development beyond direct responsibilities.
  • A passionate eye towards delivering quality and highly-tuned game feel.
  • Experience mentoring and supporting other engineers through code reviews, technical guidance, and best practices – helping them stay on track and true to the overall vision of the game.
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • Strong problem-solving skills.
The annual salary range for this position in Los Angeles is $150,000 – $180,000. The salary offered may vary based on the candidate’s location, qualifications, experience and relevant expertise, among other factors.  The range indicated is for base salary only and does not reflect the total compensation package, including bonus, benefits, etc. 
 
We realize that skills and expertise can come from many different experiences and paths, and we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all of the requirements as written in the job description. 
 
#Games #LI-hybrid #Remote

Paramount, a Skydance Corporation is a diversified media company creating high quality, event-level entertainment for global audiences. The Company brings to life stories of immersive worlds across its feature film, television, interactive/games, and animation divisions.
 
 
Recruitment Fraud Alert
It has come to our attention that there may be fraudulent activity by individuals impersonating our Talent Acquisition team. Skydance will only contact you from an official “@skydance.com” email address. If you suspect that you are being contacted by an unauthorized person or believe that the correspondence you have received is suspicious, please do not click on any links or attachments in such emails and submit any questions or concerns to our information security team at https://skydance.com/report-suspected-fraud/.