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Games Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Exploding Kittens

Contract Game Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$30 - $38/hr

If you're someone who thinks about games constantly (in a good way), obsesses over what makes people laugh, connect, and come back for more, and loves turning great ideas into unforgettable ...

Amazon

Game Designer, Amazon Game Studios

Culver City, CA · On-site

$169K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Working with and guiding our development partners, you will innovate new categories in games ... PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Experience designing player-facing AI features such as adaptive ...

Limit Break

$162K/yr

Game Designer (Puzzle) About us: Deep expertise. Personal and Industry evolution. Impeccable craft ... We are unlocking its potential beyond games to transform digital markets into real-world economies ...

IGT

Game Designer

Reno, NV

$154K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Overview Do you have a passion and compelling vision for creating successful games in the casino gaming industry? IGT is looking for a Game Designer who can inspire teams to create Class 3, land ...

Epic Games

Lead Gameplay Designer

Cary, NC · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

What You'll Do Epic Games is looking for a Gameplay Designer to help create compelling gameplay ... experiences across combat, progression, systems, moment-to-moment mechanics, and live gameplay ...

IGT

Game Designer

Las Vegas, NV · On-site

$149K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Overview Do you have a passion and compelling vision for creating successful games in the casino gaming industry? IGT is looking for a Game Designer who can inspire teams to create Class 3, land ...

Akima, LLC

Part Time Unity Game Designer

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$152K/yr

  • Retirement

Pinnacle Solutions is looking for a passionate and motivated Game Designer to join our virtual ... games, with the possibility of work continuing through the school year. Daily work will require ...

Akima, LLC

Part Time Unreal Game Designer

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$152K/yr

  • Retirement

... games, with the possibility of work continuing through the school year. Daily work will require ... Collaborate with artists, software engineers, and other game designers to implement gameplay ...

Templar Media

Lead Game Designer

Alpharetta, GA · On-site

If you do apply now and help us take our games to the next level! Responsibilities : * Drive the creation and refinement of game designs * Coordinate with the Game Director and Producer to help ...

teamLFG

OR · On-site

Are you on a mission to create games that bond players together into deeply invested communities ... We are seeking a highly technical, creative, and team-oriented Senior Sandbox Designer to ...

Fanatics Collectibles

Game Designer - TCG

Seattle, WA · On-site

$176K/yr

We're looking for the most skilled and passionate talent in the games industry and beyond to help ... Who We're Looking For We're seeking a Game Designer to contribute meaningfully to the design of ...

Proxima

Senior Game Designer

San Francisco, CA · Remote

We're looking for a Senior Game Designer to play a leadership role on the project. We are a remote-first studio headquartered in San Francisco, California. Core Responsibilities: * Creative direction:

KONAMI GAMING INC

Senior Art Designer

Las Vegas, NV · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Konami Gaming is looking for a Senior Art Designer to join our team! This onsite position is responsible for researching, designing, and developing illustration and animation for casino slot games ...

teamLFG

Senior Gameplay Designer (Combat & AI)

$118K - $177K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Are you on a mission to create games that bond players together into deeply invested communities ... We are seeking a highly technical, creative, and team-oriented Senior Sandbox Designer to ...

Konami Gaming, Inc

Senior Art Designer

Las Vegas, NV · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Konami Gaming is looking for a Senior Art Designer to join our team! This onsite position is responsible for researching, designing, and developing illustration and animation for casino slot games ...

teamLFG

OR · On-site

Are you on a mission to create games that bond players together into deeply invested communities ... We are seeking a highly technical, creative, and team-oriented contract Staff Gameplay Designer to ...

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All JobsGames Designer Jobs

Games Designer information

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$47K

$156K

How much do games designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for games designer in the United States is $149,118.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $155,000.00 and $155,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a games designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Games Designer, you need a strong grasp of game mechanics, storytelling, and user experience, often supported by a degree in game design or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as Unity or Unreal Engine, as well as proficiency in scripting languages like C# or Python, is typically required. Creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving are essential soft skills that set successful designers apart. These abilities ensure compelling, engaging game experiences and effective teamwork throughout the game development process.

What is the difference between Games Designer vs Game Developer?

AspectGames DesignerGame Developer
CredentialsDegree in game design, computer science, or related fieldDegree in computer science, software engineering, or related field
Work EnvironmentCreative teams, design studios, game studiosProgramming teams, software development environments
Industry UsageDesigning game concepts, mechanics, storylinesWriting code, implementing game features, debugging
Common Search IntentUnderstanding design roles, responsibilities, skillsLearning programming, development tools, coding tasks

Games Designers focus on creating the concept, mechanics, and overall experience of a game, working closely with artists and developers. Game Developers primarily write code, implement features, and build the game engine. Both roles collaborate but have distinct responsibilities within the game development process.

How do games designers typically collaborate with other team members throughout a game's development?

Game Designers work closely with artists, programmers, sound designers, and producers to bring a game's vision to life. They often participate in regular team meetings, provide detailed design documentation, and give feedback on prototypes and builds. Effective communication and adaptability are key, as designers must balance creative ideas with technical constraints and feedback from playtesting. This collaborative environment helps ensure that gameplay mechanics, visuals, and user experience align with the overall project goals.

What is a games designer?

Games designers are creative professionals responsible for developing the concepts, rules, storylines, characters, and overall structure of video games or board games. They collaborate with artists, programmers, and writers to bring their ideas to life, ensuring the game is engaging, playable, and enjoyable for users. Games designers often create detailed documentation, prototypes, and design mechanics that shape the player’s experience. Their work involves both creative thinking and technical understanding of game development processes.

How do you become a game designer?

To become a game designer, you typically need a bachelor's degree in game design, computer science, art, or a related field, along with strong skills in programming, storytelling, and visual design. Gaining experience through internships, personal projects, or a portfolio is important, and proficiency with game development tools like Unity or Unreal Engine is often required.

What jobs can a games designer get?

A games designer can pursue roles such as game developer, level designer, character artist, or game producer. These positions often require skills in programming, storytelling, and familiarity with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine. Many roles are found in the video game industry, mobile app development, or entertainment software companies.
More about Games Designer jobs
What cities are hiring for Games Designer jobs? Cities with the most Games Designer job openings:
What states have the most Games Designer jobs? States with the most job openings for Games Designer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Games Designer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Games Designer jobs are:
Games Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Games Designer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 69% Physical, and 31% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $149,118 per year, or $71.7 per hour.

Contract Game Designer

Exploding Kittens

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$30 - $38/hr

Contractor

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

This is a contract position for the role of Game Designer, anticipated to run for approximately three months with the possibility of extension based on business needs. The Game Designer plays a key role in the game and product development process from start to finish. In this role you'll be responsible for pitching original concepts, developing pitches from team members and external inventors, and researching ongoing industry trends.
The ideal candidate will have a deep love for mass market party games, both as a designer and a player. We want team members with strong perspectives, collaborative mindsets, and clear communication skills. You'll be expected to support multiple projects simultaneously, with opportunities to learn from experienced designers and support up-and-coming talent.
If you're someone who thinks about games constantly (in a good way), obsesses over what makes people laugh, connect, and come back for more, and loves turning great ideas into unforgettable experiences, you'll fit right in.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
  • Design and develop several projects, responding to feedback from key stakeholders to craft gameplay that is fun, marketable, and innovative
  • Pitch original game ideas, researching and developing concepts on your own and with other designers
  • Provide feedback for and develop pitches from external inventors
  • Facilitate or participate in in-person and remote playtesting sessions
  • Write instructions & "How to Play" video scripts with accessibility and clarity in mind
  • Partner with internal stakeholders to support development/publication, collaborating cross-functionally with Creative Operations, Production & Sourcing

WHAT WE NEED
  • 3+ years of tabletop game design/development experience
  • A love for, and strong knowledge of, successful mass market retail party games
  • An understanding of fundamental game design principles and player motivations
  • Experience writing and editing game rules and "how to play" video scripts
  • A basic understanding of graphic design, UX principles, and tools including Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop
  • A basic understanding of organization/presentation tools, including Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides
  • Based in Los Angeles, CA, with the ability to work a hybrid schedule in our office Tuesday through Thursday

$30 - $38 an hour
This salary represents a range for the position and will ultimately depend on the individual's qualifications and years of experience, location, and is subject to change.
As an Equal Employment Opportunity employer we are committed to complying with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunity to applicants and employees regardless of sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), race (including protected hairstyles such as dreadlocks, braids and twists), religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, gender (including gender identity and gender expression and/or the fact that an individual is transgender, transitioning or transitioned), color, ancestry, national origin, possession of a driver's license, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information/trait/condition, marital or familial status, family care or medical leave status, registered domestic partner status, age, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, membership in military reserves, political affiliation, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law or ordinance or regulation We consider all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable local, state and federal "ban the box" and "fair chance" laws.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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