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Internship Indie Game Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Creative / Game Recruiter

Fairfield, CT ยท Remote

$50K - $65K/yr

... Indie studios, game genres (Action, RPG, Shooter, Mobile, Live Service), and common game development terminology such as Gameplay Programming, Game Design, Unreal Engine, Unity, Production, QA, and ...

Creative / Game Recruiter

Fairfield, CT ยท On-site

$50K - $65K/yr

... Indie studios, game genres (Action, RPG, Shooter, Mobile, Live Service), and common game development terminology such as Gameplay Programming, Game Design, Unreal Engine, Unity, Production, QA, and ...

Engineering Lead

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$120K - $159K/yr

Job Summary : Elsewhere is hiring an Engineering Lead to write code, build infrastructure, and ... games, even as indie or side projects. โ€ข Eagerness to share rough prototypes and in-progress ...

Game Designer, Casual F2P

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$167K/yr

Play and deeply analyze casual games across genres, Match-3, Time Management, Simulation, Indie ... Collaborate with cross-functional teams (engineering, art, QA, marketing) to ensure designs are ...

Game Designer, Casual F2P

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$167K/yr

Play and deeply analyze casual games across genres, Match-3, Time Management, Simulation, Indie ... Collaborate with cross-functional teams (engineering, art, QA, marketing) to ensure designs are ...

Throughout the program, students collaborate on interdisciplinary teams with programmers, artists ... indie games, to art games, and games for change on established and experimental platforms. In ...

Lead Software Engineer (Mobile Native)

Concord, NC ยท Remote

CA$120K - CA$170K/yr

ABOUT YOU You're a senior mobile engineer with 6+ years of experience building native iOS and ... game industry. From indie to AAA, companies partner with Xsolla to help them fund, distribute ...

ABOUT YOU You're a senior mobile engineer with 6+ years of experience building native iOS and ... game industry. From indie to AAA, companies partner with Xsolla to help them fund, distribute ...

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Internship Indie Game Developer information

See salary details

$32.5K

$108.5K

$180K

How much do internship indie game developer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for internship indie game developer in the United States is $108,471.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,500.00 and $124,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an internship indie game developer?

Internship Indie Game Developers are students or entry-level professionals who work with small, independent game studios to gain hands-on experience in creating video games. They typically assist with tasks such as programming, game design, art creation, or testing under the guidance of experienced developers. These internships provide valuable learning opportunities about the entire game development process and the unique challenges faced by indie studios. Often, intern roles are unpaid or offer modest compensation, but they can be a crucial stepping stone for aspiring game developers looking to build their portfolios and industry connections.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as an internship indie game developer?

To thrive as an Internship Indie Game Developer, you need a solid grasp of programming fundamentals (often C# or C++), basic game design principles, and a portfolio of small projects or coursework. Familiarity with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, version control systems (e.g., Git), and relevant coursework or certifications are highly beneficial. Creativity, willingness to learn, problem-solving, and strong teamwork skills help you stand out in collaborative, fast-changing environments. These skills and qualities are crucial for effectively contributing to small teams and adapting to the dynamic nature of indie game development.

How does an internship indie game developer typically collaborate with other team members during a game project?

As an Internship Indie Game Developer, you'll often work closely with a small, multidisciplinary team, including artists, designers, and programmers. Collaboration is highly interactive, with frequent brainstorming sessions, daily stand-ups, and shared feedback cycles. You may be asked to take on a variety of tasks, such as prototyping gameplay features, fixing bugs, or contributing to design discussions, which helps you gain a broad understanding of the game development process. The open and flexible structure of indie teams provides hands-on learning opportunities and encourages proactive communication.

What is the difference between Internship Indie Game Developer vs Junior Game Programmer?

AspectInternship Indie Game DeveloperJunior Game Programmer
Required CredentialsTypically enrolled in or recent graduate of game design, computer science, or related programsSimilar educational background, often with some programming coursework or experience
Work EnvironmentStartups, indie studios, or self-directed projects, often remote or flexibleGame development studios, often in team settings, sometimes remote
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in indie and small studio contexts, focusing on learning and contributionCommon in larger studios, focusing on coding and technical implementation

Both roles require foundational knowledge in game development and programming. An Internship Indie Game Developer typically focuses on gaining experience in game design, development, and project management within indie or startup environments. A Junior Game Programmer emphasizes coding, debugging, and technical tasks within a team. While their responsibilities differ, both roles serve as entry points into the game industry, with overlapping educational backgrounds and work environments.

Are there game dev internships?

Yes, game development internships are available at many companies and studios, offering opportunities for students and entry-level developers to gain experience in areas such as programming, design, and art. These internships often require knowledge of game engines like Unity or Unreal and may be offered during summer or semester periods.
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Infographic showing various Internship Indie Game Developer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 10% Internship, 56% Full Time, 29% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 90% In-person, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,471 per year, or $52.1 per hour.

Creative / Game Recruiter

Onward Search

Fairfield, CT โ€ข Remote

$50K - $65K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 4 hours ago


Job description

Creative / Game Recruiter


Onward Search is a national staffing company with nearly 20 years of experience connecting top companies with exceptional talent across the Creative, Marketing, Digital, Technology, Gaming, and UX/UI industries. As we continue to grow, we are seeking a proactive and results-driven Recruiter to support sourcing, recruiting, and placing highly skilled professionals across our specialty markets.


This role is ideal for a recruiter who thrives in a fast-paced, production-oriented environment and enjoys building strong candidate relationships within the creative, marketing, and technology space.


Key Responsibilities:


Sourcing Candidates:
Utilize job boards, referrals, social media platforms, portfolio sites, networking events, LinkedIn, and internal databases to identify and attract qualified creative, marketing, digital, UX/UI, gaming, and technology professionals for open roles.

Pipeline Development:
Build and maintain a robust pipeline of talent through proactive outreach, networking, relationship-building, and ongoing engagement with candidates aligned to current and future client needs.

Qualifying Candidates:
Conduct comprehensive candidate screenings and interviews to assess qualifications, experience, technical capabilities, career objectives, and overall fit for client opportunities.

Candidate Submission & Interview Management:
Submit qualified candidates to open positions, complete formal submission documentation, coordinate interview scheduling, conduct interview preparation sessions, and facilitate post-interview debrief conversations.

Offer Management & Candidate Control:
Manage compensation discussions, conduct pre-closing conversations, negotiate offers when appropriate, and guide candidates through the offer and acceptance process.

Candidate & Contractor Management:
Provide ongoing support to contractors and candidates throughout the placement lifecycle, including onboarding, compliance, assignment extensions, timecard support, quality control touchpoints, and assignment completion.

Reference Checking:
Gather professional references to validate work history, performance, accomplishments, skills, and areas of improvement while identifying potential market intelligence and business development opportunities.

ATS & Job Management:
Manage job postings within Bullhorn and external recruiting platforms, review inbound applications, promote openings internally, and maintain accurate candidate records and recruiting activity.

Performance & KPI Achievement:
Consistently meet or exceed recruiting KPIs, placement goals, fill ratios, and activity expectations while demonstrating Onward's core values both internally and externally.


Requirements:

  • Previous experience in the staffing industry, ideally recruiting within the Creative, Marketing, Design, UX/UI, Motion, Technology, Gaming, or related industries.
  • Working knowledge of the gaming industry, including AAA, AA, and Indie studios, game genres (Action, RPG, Shooter, Mobile, Live Service), and common game development terminology such as Gameplay Programming, Game Design, Unreal Engine, Unity, Production, QA, and Live Operations.
  • Strong understanding of full-cycle recruiting, including sourcing, interviewing, candidate management, and placement.
  • Strong ability to utilize candidate control, pre-closing techniques, and offer management best practices.
  • Excellent communication skills, relationship-building abilities, and a consultative approach to recruiting.
  • Experience working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, KPI-focused environment.
  • Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple openings simultaneously.
  • Experience utilizing applicant tracking systems, LinkedIn Recruiter, job boards, and other sourcing tools.
  • Bachelor's degree preferred.

Why Join Us?

  • Opportunity to recruit for some of the nation's leading organizations across the Creative, Marketing, Technology, Gaming, and Digital industries.
  • Competitive compensation package with uncapped commission potential.
  • Collaborative, supportive company culture focused on growth, performance, and professional development.
  • Remote-first work environment with access to industry-leading recruiting tools and resources.

Salary:

$50,000 - $65,000, based on experience.

  • Commission eligible
  • Comprehensive benefits package
  • PTO program
  • 401(k) program

About Onward Group Holdings, LLC


Onward Group Holdings, LLC is a platform of specialized talent and workforce solutions brands that connect leading organizations with expert talent across high-demand industries. The company combines deep domain expertise, proven infrastructure, and an expansive talent network to deliver solutions that go beyond traditional staffing.


With nearly 20 years in business, Onward Group Holdings partners with companies, schools, and organizations to help them build high-performing teams and thrive in the future of work. Its divisions include Onward Search (Marketing, Creative & Technology), Onward Accessibility (Digital Accessibility), Onward Education (K-12 Education), and Talera (Behavioral Health).


Onward Search offers medical, dental, vision benefits, as well as a 401(k) program, for all eligible full-time employees.


We're committed to making every part of our hiring process accessible and inclusive. If there's any adjustments we can make to support you as you apply and interview, please reach out to
InclusiveHiring@OnwardSearch.com.


Applicants must be at least 18 years old to apply.


Onward Search is an equal opportunity employer. We value a culture of inclusion and diversity within our workforce and are committed to maintaining a workplace free from prohibited employment conduct, including discrimination or harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, domestic partner status, civil partnership, status as a covered veteran, status in the Uniformed Services of the United States, citizenship, and any other characteristic protected by state and federal law.