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Gameplay Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Scientific Games

Software Engineer

Alpharetta, GA · On-site

Scientific Games: Scientific Games is the global leader in lottery games, sports betting and ... The Software Engineer reports to and is directed by the Hardware Engineering Manager and the ...

NEON Inc

Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA

Neon Software Engineer Neon is a global payments and e-commerce platform designed to help game publishers earn more money and independence from app stores. We believe commerce should be open and ...

Holospark

Advanced software engineering skills, including the ability to write expert-level, maintainable, and robust code in C++. * Experience in the development of various gameplay systems and technologies.

Holospark

Gameplay Engineer

Bellevue, WA · On-site

Advanced software engineering skills, including the ability to write expert-level, maintainable, and robust code in C++. * Experience in the development of various gameplay systems and technologies.

Akraya Inc.

Gaming Software Engineer: 25-05356

Lehi, UT · On-site +1

$101.34 - $105.63/hr

... as a Senior Contract Software Engineer. In this role, you will have the autonomy to lead and ... Independently design and implement systems and gameplay features. * Collaborate closely with ...

Panic Button Games

Lead Software Engineer

Austin, TX

$150K - $220K/yr

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of leading software engineering teams in the video game industry, with recent and extensive experience in cross-platform console development.

Scientific Games

Senior Software Engineer

Alpharetta, GA

$119K - $157K/yr

Scientific Games: Scientific Games is the global leader in lottery games, sports betting and ... The Senior Software Engineer will lead a diverse technical team to ensure the successful and timely ...

Scientific Games

Senior Software Engineer

Alpharetta, GA · On-site

$119K - $157K/yr

Scientific Games: Scientific Games is the global leader in lottery games, sports betting and ... The Senior Software Engineer will lead a diverse technical team to ensure the successful and timely ...

Scientific Games

Senior Software Engineer

Alpharetta, GA

$119K - $157K/yr

Scientific Games: Scientific Games is the global leader in lottery games, sports betting and ... The Senior Software Engineer will lead a diverse technical team to ensure the successful and timely ...

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All JobsGameplay Software Engineer Jobs

Gameplay Software Engineer information

See salary details

$81K

$145.4K

$205K

How much do gameplay software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for gameplay software engineer in the United States is $145,359.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $116,000.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Gameplay Software Engineers?

Gameplay Software Engineers are specialized software developers who focus on designing and implementing interactive features and systems within video games. They work closely with game designers, artists, and other programmers to bring gameplay mechanics, character controls, artificial intelligence, and user interfaces to life. Their responsibilities often include writing code for game logic, prototyping new features, fixing bugs, and optimizing performance to ensure a smooth and engaging gaming experience.

What is the difference between Gameplay Software Engineer vs Game Developer?

AspectGameplay Software EngineerGame Developer
Primary FocusDesigning and implementing gameplay features and mechanicsCreating overall game content, including coding, art, and design
Skills & CertificationsProficiency in C++, game engines (Unity, Unreal), scriptingVaries widely; may include programming, art, design, project management
Work EnvironmentGame studios, development teams, often specialized rolesBroader roles, including design, programming, or production teams

While both roles involve game development, a Gameplay Software Engineer specializes in coding gameplay features and mechanics, whereas a Game Developer may handle a broader range of tasks including content creation and overall game design. The roles often overlap but differ in scope and focus.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Gameplay Software Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Gameplay Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills in languages like C++ or C#, a background in computer science or software engineering, and a solid understanding of game development concepts. Familiarity with game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine, and experience using version control systems like Git, are typically required. Creativity, collaboration, and strong problem-solving abilities help set top candidates apart in this role. These skills are crucial for efficiently building engaging, high-quality gameplay features and working effectively within multidisciplinary game development teams.

How do Gameplay Software Engineers typically collaborate with designers and artists during the game development process?

Gameplay Software Engineers work closely with designers and artists to bring creative visions to life. They frequently participate in cross-disciplinary meetings to understand gameplay mechanics, user experience goals, and visual requirements. Collaboration often involves rapid prototyping, iterative feedback, and integrating new assets and mechanics into the game engine. Effective communication and adaptability are essential, as requirements can evolve throughout development, requiring engineers to balance technical constraints with creative aspirations.
More about Gameplay Software Engineer jobs
What states have the most Gameplay Software Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Gameplay Software Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Gameplay Software Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Gameplay Software Engineer jobs are:
Gameplay Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Gameplay Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 88% In-person, 6% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,359 per year, or $69.9 per hour.
Senior Software Engineer, Gameplay Systems & Animation - Unpublished R&D Product

Senior Software Engineer, Gameplay Systems & Animation - Unpublished R&D Product

Riot Games

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Riot engineers bring deep knowledge of specific technical areas but also value the opportunity to work in a variety of broader domains. As a Software Engineer, you'll also dive into projects that focus on team cohesiveness and cross-team objectives. You'll drive important features and provide other engineers with a clear illustration of extraordinary engineering.
As a Senior Software Engineer (Gameplay Systems & Animation ) on an unpublished R&D product, you will report to the Gameplay Engineering Lead, you'll help bring our characters to life through responsive, expressive, and high-quality animation systems. You'll work at the intersection of gameplay engineering and content creation - partnering closely with animators, designers, and technical artists to build scalable systems that power movement, locomotion, and moment-to-moment feel. This role collaborates with multiple groups within the gameplay team, contributing directly to the quality, polish, and performance of our core combat experience. The ideal candidate is passionate about player feel, thrives in cross-disciplinary collaboration, and takes pride in building robust systems that unlock content at scale.
Responsibilities:
  • Design, prototype, and implement robust, scalable gameplay and animation systems, evolving underlying systems to improve reuse, polish, maintainability, and performance.
  • Contribute to locomotion, movement feel, and animation-driven gameplay systems across multiple gameplay domains.
  • Partner closely with animators and technical artists to improve workflows, clarify handoff points, and enable efficient content production.
  • Identify technical risks in animation and gameplay systems and collaborate with technical leaders to implement sustainable architectural solutions.
  • Contribute to adjacent gameplay domains such as combat systems, camera, VFX integration, or other core gameplay systems as needed.
  • Mentor peers across disciplines by sharing insights on animation systems, gameplay feel, and technical problem-solving.
Required Qualifications:
  • 5+ years of professional experience in game development.
  • 3+ years of experience developing or supporting animation systems.
  • Strong C++ programming skills and solid computer science fundamentals.
  • Experience working with Unreal Engine, including its animation systems.
  • Experience implementing gameplay systems closely tied to animation
  • Strong debugging, optimization, and performance-tuning skills.
  • Experience collaborating effectively in cross-disciplinary teams, with strong product sense and player empathy.
Desired Qualifications:
  • Familiarity with Unreal Engine internals and extending or modifying engine animation systems.
  • Experience improving content pipelines and animation workflows.
  • Exposure to related domains such as gameplay VFX, camera systems, etc.
  • Experience working on mid-sized engineering teams in a live or in-development game environment.

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise and a collaborative spirit that prioritizes the delight of players. We will look at your past studies and experience, but for this role, we also look for dedicated people with a personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about players' experiences, this is the role for you!
Our Perks:
Riot focuses on work/life balance, shown by our open paid time off policy and other perks such as flexible work schedules. We offer medical, dental, and life insurance, parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and children, and a 401k with company match. Check out our benefits pages for more information.
At Riot Games, we put players first. That mission drives every decision in our quest to create games and experiences that make it better to be a player. Whether you're working directly on a new player-facing experience or you're supporting the company as a whole, everyone at Riot is part of our mission. And just like in our games, we're better when we work together. Our goal is to create collaborative teams where you are empowered to bring your unique perspective everyday. If that sounds like the kind of place you want to work, we're looking forward to your application.
It's our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and members of Riot Games, Inc. Riot Games makes reasonable accommodations for handicapped and disabled Rioters and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, handicap, veteran status, marital status, criminal history, or any other category protected by applicable federal and state law. We consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the Washington Fair Chance Act.
Per the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the following core duties may create a basis for disqualifying candidates with relevant criminal histories:
  • Safeguarding confidential and sensitive Company data
  • Communication with others, including Rioters and third parties such as vendors, and/or players, including minors
  • Accessing Company assets, secure digital systems, and networks
  • Ensuring a safe interactive environment for players and other Rioters

These duties are directly related to essential operations, safety, trust, and compliance obligations within our organization. Please note that job duties may evolve based on business needs and additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to maintain operational efficiency and security.
Riot Games logo

About Riot Games

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Riot Games was founded in 2006 by Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill with the intent to change the way video games are made and supported for players. In 2009, Riot released its debut title League of Legends to worldwide acclaim. The game has since gone on to become the most played PC game in the world and a key driver of the explosive growth of esports. Players are the foundation of our community and it's for them we continue to evolve and improve the League of Legends experience.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2006

Social media

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