1

Indie Games Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Art Lead (San Francisco)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$140K - $147K/yr

We're a venture-backed indie studio working on a surreal card game set inside your own dreaming mind. We aim for the project to combine the soul of a stellar indie title with the strategic depth and ...

... games marketing, preferably within an agency environment * Proven track record leading integrated marketing campaigns for AAA, live‑service, mobile, and/or indie titles * Deep understanding of ...

We have an exciting roadmap supporting games ranging from mobile to indie to AAA, reaching deep into the operating system, with the unique opportunity to help define the face of gaming at Apple. We ...

... and games. Having experience working with LLMs is a plus. You're comfortable working on small, fast-paced teams Working here will feel very much like a small indie studio: close-knit, with high ...

Studio Wildcard, creators of the smash indie hit ARK: Survival Evolved, was founded in 2014. ARK ... Debug and patch complex gameplay and engine-level vulnerabilities to shut down client-side exploits ...

Sr. Engine Programmer

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

Studio Wildcard, creators of the smash indie hit ARK: Survival Evolved, was founded in 2014. ARK ... Debug and patch complex gameplay and engine-level vulnerabilities to shut down client-side exploits ...

Senior iOS Engineer, Apple Games

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$181.10 - $272.10/hr

We have an exciting roadmap supporting games ranging from mobile to indie to AAA, reaching deep into the operating system, with the unique opportunity to help define the face of gaming at Apple. We ...

Studio Wildcard, creators of the smash indie hit ARK: Survival Evolved, was founded in 2014. ARK ... Debug and patch complex gameplay and engine-level vulnerabilities to shut down client-side exploits ...

Principal Engineer, AI Platform

Cary, NC · On-site

$125K - $167K/yr

... lets indie developers ship games to every major device on Earth. Our AI Platform team is building the next layer of that infrastructure - an enterprise-grade stack of agentic AI systems that ...

Principal Engineer, AI Platform

Cary, NC · On-site

$137K - $184K/yr

... lets indie developers ship games to every major device on Earth. Our AI Platform team is building the next layer of that infrastructure - an enterprise-grade stack of agentic AI systems that ...

Senior Gaming Platform Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$139.50 - $258.10/hr

We have an exciting roadmap of features supporting games ranging from mobile, to indie, to AAA, and interacting with a wide variety of operating system areas. Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, Apple Books ...

Showing results 41-60

Indie Games information

See salary details

$7

$20

$37

How much do indie games jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for indie games in the United States is $20.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.18 and $23.80 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an indie game?

An Indie Games job typically involves working within a small team or independently to develop and publish video games without the backing of a large publisher. Roles in indie game development can vary widely, including game design, programming, art, sound design, and marketing. Since indie teams are often small, employees may take on multiple responsibilities. These jobs require creativity, adaptability, and a passion for gaming. Funding can come from personal savings, crowdfunding, or small investors, making financial management a key aspect of indie game development.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive in indie games?

To thrive in Indie Games development, you need strong skills in programming, game design, and creative storytelling, often supported by a relevant degree or portfolio of completed projects. Proficiency with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, along with familiarity with version control systems such as Git, is frequently required. Adaptability, collaboration, and entrepreneurial spirit are valuable soft skills that help you manage tight deadlines and limited resources. These capabilities are essential for successfully creating, marketing, and delivering engaging indie games in a highly competitive market.

What are common challenges faced by professionals working in indie games development?

Professionals in Indie Games development often encounter challenges such as managing limited budgets, juggling multiple responsibilities, and adapting to rapid changes throughout the game production lifecycle. Team sizes are typically small, so individuals may handle everything from coding and art to marketing and business development. Effective time management and clear communication are crucial, as many teams work remotely or across different time zones. However, these challenges also provide opportunities to learn new skills and take creative ownership over projects, making the role both demanding and highly rewarding.

More about Indie Games jobs

What cities are hiring for Indie Games jobs?

Cities with the most Indie Games job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Indie Games jobs?

The most popular types of Indie Games jobs are:

What states have the most Indie Games jobs?

States with the most job openings for Indie Games jobs include:

Infographic showing various Indie Games job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 50% In-person, and 50% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,561 per year, or $20.9 per hour.

Senior Gameplay Programmer - Remote or On Site

Studio Wildcard

Redmond, WA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago


Job description

Studio Wildcard - Redmond, WA or Remote

Open role:

Senior Gameplay Programmer


We're Studio Wildcard, developers of the smash indie hit ARK: Survival Evolved -- one of the most popular and original video games in recent years. Despite our massive success, we've been able to stay independent, so that we can steer our own future in games and beyond. There's never been a better time for you to join this adventure and help us with ARK Survival Ascended, the next chapter of our original hit franchise! We're expanding and updating many of the ARK community's most beloved features while taking full advantage of the latest tools and technologies.

And now we're searching for an exceptionally talented and passionate Senior Gameplay Programmer who can create high-impact work for the expanding ARK franchise.


Responsibilities:

  • Design, write, and implement gameplay systems and development tools for artists and designers
  • Work with cross-discipline team members to improve existing tools and determine new solutions


Requirements:

  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in game development as a gameplay programmer with at least 1 shipped title.
  • Advanced understanding of gameplay systems, pipelines, and tools.
  • Strong self-motivation and willingness to participate in many areas of game development
  • Experience using the Unreal 5 Engine


Pluses:

  • Degree in computer science or a related field
  • Experience with implementing UI features from concept to finish
  • Shipped title using the Unreal 4 Engine


Required Application Materials:

  • Resume
  • Cover Letter which should include
    • Why you are interested in working for Studio Wildcard
    • What games you are currently playing


About Studio Wildcard

Studio Wildcard was founded in 2014 by industry veterans Jeremy Stieglitz and Jesse Rapczak, with the mission of bringing AAA quality to ambitious indie productions designed for core gamers. With countless years of combined industry experience across multiple independent and studio-backed titles, Wildcard's core team continues to grow, with offices in Redmond, WA, and Gainesville, FL including distributed team members across multiple continents.


Equal Opportunity Employer
Wildcard is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws, regulations or ordinances. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to disability during the application or the recruiting process, please let us know.  


Pay Transparency Information
The expected annual base pay range(s) for this position vary based on a variety of factors, which include: (but aren't limited to) skills, competencies, qualifications, knowledge, and experience. Each pay range is only relevant to those residing in WA state and can vary based on geographical location. 


Wildcard Benefits
We pay 100% of all premiums for the employee and discounted rates for dependent premiums. Our coverage includes Medical (5 different plans to choose from), Dental, Vision, Short Term and Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, 401(k) option, 100% covered Parental Leave, PTO, Paid Holidays, Unlimited Sick Time, and FSA/ HSA options