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Gaming Designer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Limit Break

$162K/yr

Game Designer (Puzzle) About us: Deep expertise. Personal and Industry evolution. Impeccable craft ... Limit Break is founded by global industry leaders in mobile gaming. We are unlocking its potential ...

MANTECH

Wargame Designer

Quantico, VA · On-site

Create custom wargame designs that address specific objectives and research questions to inform ... Incorporate modeling and simulation tools within game design in order to continue advancing the ...

MANTECH

Wargame Designer

Quantico, VA · On-site

Create custom wargame designs that address specific objectives and research questions to inform ... Incorporate modeling and simulation tools within game design in order to continue advancing the ...

MANTECH

Wargame Designer

Quantico, VA · On-site

Create custom wargame designs that address specific objectives and research questions to inform ... Incorporate modeling and simulation tools within game design in order to continue advancing the ...

MANTECH

Wargame Designer

Quantico, VA · On-site

Create custom wargame designs that address specific objectives and research questions to inform ... Incorporate modeling and simulation tools within game design in order to continue advancing the ...

ManTech

Wargame Designer

Quantico, VA · On-site

$107K - $179K/yr

Create custom wargame designs that address specific objectives and research questions to inform ... Incorporate modeling and simulation tools within game design in order to continue advancing the ...

ManTech International

Wargame Designer

Quantico, VA · On-site

$107K - $179K/yr

Create custom wargame designs that address specific objectives and research questions to inform ... Incorporate modeling and simulation tools within game design in order to continue advancing the ...

ManTech International

Wargame Designer

Quantico, VA · On-site

$107K - $179K/yr

Create custom wargame designs that address specific objectives and research questions to inform ... Incorporate modeling and simulation tools within game design in order to continue advancing the ...

ManTech

Wargame Designer

Quantico, VA · On-site

$107K - $179K/yr

Create custom wargame designs that address specific objectives and research questions to inform ... Incorporate modeling and simulation tools within game design in order to continue advancing the ...

UnannouncedGameStudio

Game Programmer

Fairfax, VA

... on designs Write test cases and take responsibility for the robustness of your own code Identify ... games Strong analytical or math skills C++ and/or C# programming experience Pluses -- Ideal ...

CYNWAVE Solutions

Multimedia Designer

Falls Church, VA · On-site

... Designer as a single onsite production team. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES * Write command ... TRAVEL Government-directed travel to Soldier Recovery Units, Army Trials, Warrior Games, and other ...

CYNWAVE Solutions

Multimedia Designer

Falls Church, VA · On-site

... Designer as a single onsite production team. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES * Write command ... TRAVEL Government-directed travel to Soldier Recovery Units, Army Trials, Warrior Games, and other ...

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All JobsGaming Designer JobsGaming Designer Jobs in Virginia

Gaming Designer information

See Virginia salary details

$46.6K

$154.7K

How much do gaming designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for gaming designer in Virginia is $147,839.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $153,700.00 and $153,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a gaming designer do?

A Gaming Designer is responsible for creating the concepts, rules, and structure of video games. They work with a team to develop the game's storylines, characters, gameplay mechanics, and levels. Gaming Designers often collaborate with artists, programmers, and writers to ensure the game offers a compelling and enjoyable experience. Their work involves both creative and technical skills, including problem-solving, prototyping, and playtesting to refine ideas. Ultimately, they help shape the player's experience from the initial idea to the final product.

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

To thrive as a Gaming Designer, you need a strong grasp of game mechanics, storytelling, and user experience, typically supported by a degree in game design, computer science, or a related field. Proficiency in industry-standard tools like Unity, Unreal Engine, and graphic design software, as well as knowledge of scripting languages, is highly valued. Creativity, teamwork, and effective communication are essential soft skills for collaborating on multidisciplinary teams and bringing innovative ideas to life. These skills are crucial for creating engaging, playable games that meet both player expectations and project objectives.

What are some common challenges gaming designers face when working on collaborative projects?

Gaming designers often collaborate with developers, artists, and writers, which can present challenges in aligning creative visions and managing feedback from multiple stakeholders. Balancing gameplay mechanics with visual and narrative elements requires clear communication and flexibility. Additionally, meeting tight deadlines while accommodating changes in scope or design can be demanding. Successful gaming designers are proactive in soliciting input, open to iteration, and skilled at resolving conflicts to keep the project on track.

What is the difference between Gaming Designer vs Game Developer?

AspectGaming DesignerGame Developer
CredentialsTypically a degree in game design, computer science, or related fieldsUsually a degree in computer science, software engineering, or programming
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, creative teams, collaborative settingsProgramming environments, coding teams, technical development
Industry UsageFocuses on game concept, mechanics, and user experienceFocuses on coding, software architecture, and technical implementation

While both roles are essential in game development, Gaming Designers primarily focus on creating game concepts, mechanics, and user experience, whereas Game Developers handle the technical coding and software development. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and collaboration in the gaming industry.

How do you become a gaming designer?

To become a gaming designer, individuals typically pursue a bachelor's degree in game design, computer science, or a related field, and develop skills in programming, storytelling, and graphic design. Gaining experience through internships, creating a portfolio of game projects, and familiarizing oneself with game development tools like Unity or Unreal Engine are also important steps.

What jobs can a gaming designer get?

A gaming designer can pursue roles such as game developer, level designer, game artist, or user experience designer within the video game industry. These positions often require skills in programming, graphic design, storytelling, and familiarity with game development tools like Unity or Unreal Engine.

What are popular job titles related to Gaming Designer jobs in Virginia?

For Gaming Designer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Gaming Designer jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Gaming Designer jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Gaming Designer jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Gaming Designer job openings:

Gaming Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Gaming Designer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 58% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 41% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,839 per year, or $71.1 per hour.

Game Designer (Puzzle) (Japan)

Limit Break
PC Games • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about Limit Breakexternal

$162K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description
 
 
Limit Break
 
Limit BreakBuckley VenturesParadigm Ventures
 
Limit Break
 

  • Expected Value
  • NormalHardBossEvent

  • UXArtEngineering
  • A/B
  • ARPDAUExpected ValueRetention
  • AI
  • KPI
  • A/B
  • Data ScienceProductLiveOps
Game Designer (Puzzle) 
 
About us:
 
Deep expertise. Personal and Industry evolution. Impeccable craft. These are Limit Break's founding principles.
Limit Break is founded by global industry leaders in mobile gaming. We are unlocking its potential beyond games to transform digital markets into real-world economies and digital worlds into vibrant communities who will take gaming economies for both players and traders to new limits. We combine the power of technology, and creative vision to create experiences that connect people from all corners of the globe.
 
Limit Break is backed by leading investors that include Buckley Ventures & Paradigm Ventures. The adoption rate and a number of public and private partnerships is proving it to be the next wave of technology of the future and Gaming is leading the way.
 
About the Role:
 
As a Game Designer focused on Mechanics and Live Balance, you will be responsible for designing and tuning core gameplay systems that drive player flow, engagement, and long-term retention.
 
You will operate at the intersection of game design, player psychology, and data analytics - continuously optimizing difficulty curves, progression systems, and in-game economy through live data and structured experimentation.
 
 
You will have the opportunity to:
 
  • Design and balance gameplay mechanics and progression systems that reinforce player flow, engagement, and retention
  • Lead continuous post-launch tuning efforts
    Analyze player data, win rates, and retention metrics to optimize gameplay curves and in-game economy balance
  • Define and refine difficulty curves, reward structures, and Expected Value models across player segments
  • Collaborate with Live Operations to maintain healthy source/sink systems and ensure sustainable in-game economic flow
  • Work closely with data analysts to evaluate completion rates, retry rates, booster usage, and monetization correlations
  • Build and maintain structured difficulty tiers (e.g., Normal / Hard / Boss / Event)
  • Lead live tuning cycles, including hypothesis design, parameter adjustments, and performance measurement
  • Partner with UX, Art, and Engineering to ensure puzzles clearly communicate goals and deliver strong feedback loops
  • Design and run A/B tests on gameplay parameters, rewards, and difficulty configurations
  • Document tuning frameworks, economic structures, and balancing methodologies to ensure cross-team alignment
Qualifications:
  • Strong interest in game design, level design, player psychology, and data science
  • Clear understanding of how difficulty design, gameplay flow, and economic systems influence retention and monetization
  • Ability to analyze quantitative metrics (e.g., win/loss rates, ARPDAU, Expected Value, retention deltas) and translate insights into actionable design decisions
  • Experience with capacity planning for level production in casual genres, including the use of automation and AI tools
  • Comfortable iterating quickly based on live KPIs and player feedback
  • Ability to thrive in Agile development environments
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design intent and logic across disciplines
Nice to Have: 
  • Experience designing within hybrid-casual genres
  • Familiarity with A/B testing frameworks and live balancing tools
  • Background in economy simulation, retention modeling, or monetization design
  • Hands-on experience with source/sink modeling and reward pacing systems
  • Experience with expected value modeling, difficulty curve design, and win-rate-based balancing
Apply now:
If you are confident, driven and are looking for an exciting role, this job could be a great opportunity for you.
Apply to [email protected] to explore this new opportunity.
 
This is an international blockchain gaming company that operates regionally, and is opening offices in multiple locations around the globe.
 
We value diversity at our company. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics in the location in which the candidate is applying. 
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