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Gaming Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Booz Allen Hamilton

Game Designer

Washington, DC

$77K - $176K/yr

As a game designer, you're excited at the prospect of unlocking the secrets held by a data set, and you're fascinated by the possibilities presented by IoT, machine learning, and artificial ...

KONAMI GAMING INC

Senior Art Designer

Las Vegas, NV

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 ...

Booz Allen Hamilton

Game Designer

Washington, DC · On-site

$77K - $176K/yr

As a game designer, you're excited at the prospect of unlocking the secrets held by a data set, and you're fascinated by the possibilities presented by IoT, machine learning, and artifi cia l ...

Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.

Game Designer

Washington, DC · On-site

$77K - $176K/yr

As a game designer, you're excited at the prospect of unlocking the secrets held by a data set, and you're fascinated by the possibilities presented by IoT, machine learning, and artificial ...

Epic Games

Gameplay Designer

Cary, NC · On-site

What You'll Do Epic Games is seeking an experienced Senior Gameplay Designer to join our dynamic team, contributing across various aspects of game design for our collaboration with Disney. In this ...

Playstudios US LLC

Lead Game Designer

Las Vegas, NV · On-site

Passion for gaming; avid gamer with a solid understanding of game development and game genres ... designed mobile gaming content with an innovative loyalty platform in order to provide its players ...

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 ...

Akima, LLC

Part Time Unity Game Designer

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$152K/yr

Pinnacle Solutions is looking for a passionate and motivated Game Designer to join our virtual development team on a part-time basis. The ideal candidate has a foundational understanding of game ...

Akima, LLC

Part Time Unreal Game Designer

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$152K/yr

Pinnacle Solutions is looking for a passionate and motivated Game Designer to join our virtual development team on a part-time basis. The ideal candidate has a foundational understanding of game ...

teamLFG

OR

Are you excited to make gameplay that strongly cares about player intention, action game feel, and readability? We are seeking a highly technical, creative, and team-oriented Senior Sandbox Designer ...

Templar Media

Lead Game Designer

Alpharetta, GA · On-site

The Lead Designer should have excellent game design ability in both single and multiplayer and be a proven leader. Finally, the perfect candidate will be a designer that doesn't accept the status quo ...

Epic Games

Senior Gameplay Designer

Cary, NC · On-site

$94K - $101K/yr

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 content ...

EA SPORTS

Technical Game Designer - Madden Live

Orlando, FL · On-site

$144K/yr

As a Technical Game Designer on EA SPORTS Madden NFL Football, you'll be a hands-on creator who builds new presentation features and complex systems, collaborating closely with design, engineering ...

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:

Fanatics Collectibles

Game Designer - TCG

Seattle, WA

$176K/yr

Who We're Looking For We're seeking a Game Designer to contribute meaningfully to the design of Fanatics trading card game franchises. You'll work within the game design group on systems, mechanics ...

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All JobsGaming Designer Jobs

Gaming Designer information

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$47K

$156K

How much do gaming designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for gaming 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 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.

How much do video game designers make?

Video game designers typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000, with entry-level positions starting lower and experienced designers earning over $100,000. Salaries vary based on experience, location, and the complexity of projects, and proficiency in design tools and programming can influence compensation.

What jobs can you get as a game designer?

As a game designer, you can pursue roles such as level designer, narrative designer, systems designer, or gameplay programmer. These positions involve creating game mechanics, storylines, and user experiences, often requiring skills in design tools and knowledge of game development processes.

How do you become a gaming designer?

To become a gaming designer, you typically need a bachelor's degree in game design, computer science, art, or a related field. Building a strong portfolio of game projects, gaining experience with design tools like Unity or Unreal Engine, and understanding game mechanics and storytelling are essential steps in entering the profession.

What does a games designer do?

A game designer creates the concepts, rules, and mechanics of a video game, shaping the overall experience for players. They develop storylines, design levels, and collaborate with programmers and artists to bring the game to life, often using tools like Unity or Unreal Engine. Strong creativity, problem-solving skills, and knowledge of game development processes are essential for this role.

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 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 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.

More about Gaming Designer jobs
What cities are hiring for Gaming Designer jobs? Cities with the most Gaming Designer job openings:
What states have the most Gaming Designer jobs? States with the most job openings for Gaming Designer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Gaming Designer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Gaming Designer jobs are:
Gaming Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Gaming Designer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $149,118 per year, or $71.7 per hour.
Principal Game Designer, Competitive Systems - VALORANT

Principal Game Designer, Competitive Systems - VALORANT

Riot Games

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$167K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

As a Principal Game Designer, you will design, tweak, and optimize the player experience. Your analytical skills, player insight, and creativity aid in crafting in- and out-of-game experiences that engage and surprise players. You will collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and work with every tool at hand to innovate and iterate player-focused designs that'll delight millions around the world.
VALORANT is Riot's take on a character-based tactical shooter. As a Principal Game Designer on the Competitive Systems team, you'll help shape and define how players engage with competition across ranked, matchmaking, and adjacent systems that influence mastery, fairness, and long-term growth. You'll partner with product managers, engineers, analysts, and other designers to develop systems that are strategically sound, motivating to engage with, and worthy of players' investment over time. You have significant competitive multiplayer affinity and experience, understanding the challenges players encounter and the motivations that drive them. You are comfortable operating in ambiguous spaces and can design and iterate on solutions to complex systemic problems. This role reports to the Lead Metasystems Designer.
Responsibilities:
  • Define and evolve competitive systems that reward player skill, growth, and long-term investment in VALORANT.
  • Guide the design of ranked, matchmaking, and adjacent competitive systems to support fairness, competitive integrity, and player engagement.
  • Work closely with product managers, engineers, analysts, and design leadership to ensure systems are cohesive, consistent, and in line with VALORANT's overall vision.
  • Keep the focus on player value by leveraging feedback, research, and game data to iterate on designs and improve the competitive experience.
  • Create multiple design solutions and clearly articulate the trade-offs, risks, and player impact of each.
  • Provide direction, mentorship, and feedback to other designers, fostering collaboration and craft excellence across systems design.
  • Playtest VALORANT regularly and help push improvements for existing systems and new concepts.

Required Qualifications:
  • 7+ years of experience in professional Game Design.
  • Deep experience developing competitive multiplayer systems such as matchmaking, ranked, and skill systems.
  • Shipped or contributed to at least one AAA+ online competitive title.
  • Demonstrated ability to design and iterate on complex systems with a clear understanding of player impact and downstream effects.
  • Strong communication skills with proven ability to articulate design rationale, trade-offs, and decision frameworks to cross-disciplinary partners.
  • Experience working in a live-service development environment.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Deep passion for and understanding of competitive online games and their player communities.
  • Familiarity with online shooters, especially VALORANT or tactical shooters.
  • Experience balancing competitive integrity with engaging and rewarding systems.
  • Experience as a senior craft leader or thought partner on materially impactful design initiatives.
  • Ability to interpret and learn from charged or emotional player feedback to improve the product experience.
  • Experience developing across multiple platforms, including PC, console, or mobile.

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 has a focus on work/life balance, shown by our open paid time off policy, in addition to 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.
  • (Los Angeles Only) Base salary range between $185,200.00 - $258,000.00 USD + incentive compensation + equity + 401K with company match + medical, dental, vision, and life insurance + short and long-term disability + open PTO.
  • (Mercer Island only) Base salary range between $185,200.00 - $258,000.00 USD + incentive compensation + equity + 401K with company match + medical, dental, vision, and life insurance + short and long-term disability + open PTO.
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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