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Junior Game Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Experience hiring, training, mentoring, and managing peer and junior designers. * Experience delegating work or ownership of an area to multi-disciplinary peers. * Experience with PvP game design and ...

Design appealing and engaging characters in styles inclusive of cartoony, stylized, illustrated and ... Years of commercial work experience commensurate with job level - roughly Junior 0-2 yrs, Mid 3-10 ...

Junior Artist

Culver City, CA · On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

To be successful, the Jr. Artist must be knowledgeable in using industry-standard software tools ... Bachelor's degree in digital art, Game Art & Design or related field. * Minimum 1-2 years of ...

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Junior Game Design information

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$31K

$56.7K

$86K

How much do junior game design jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior game design in the United States is $56,698.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,500.00 and $65,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Junior Game Designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Junior Game Designer, you generally need a strong understanding of game mechanics, creative problem-solving abilities, and a relevant degree or coursework in game design or a related field. Familiarity with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, basic scripting, and proficiency in design software such as Photoshop are typically expected. Collaboration, adaptability, and effective communication are vital soft skills that help integrate feedback and work efficiently within a development team. These skills ensure the creation of engaging gameplay experiences and support smooth project workflows in a competitive industry.

How does a Junior Game Designer typically collaborate with other departments during the development process?

As a Junior Game Designer, you’ll regularly collaborate with artists, programmers, and writers to ensure your game concepts are effectively implemented. This means attending cross-functional meetings, providing clear documentation of your designs, and giving feedback during playtesting. Open communication and flexibility are essential, as you may need to adjust your ideas based on technical constraints or creative input from other teams. These interactions provide valuable learning experiences and help you understand the broader development pipeline.

What are Junior Game Designers?

Junior Game Designers are entry-level professionals in the gaming industry who assist in creating and developing the concepts, mechanics, and rules of video games. They work closely with senior designers, programmers, and artists to help turn ideas into playable experiences. Their tasks often include creating design documents, prototyping gameplay features, and playtesting. This role is ideal for individuals looking to start a career in game development and build foundational skills in game design.

What is the difference between Junior Game Design vs Game Designer?

AspectJunior Game DesignGame Designer
Required CredentialsDegree in game design, computer science, or related field; portfolioSimilar credentials, often with more experience
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, team collaboration, under supervisionMore autonomous, leadership roles possible
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in game studios for entry rolesUsed for experienced roles, but overlaps with senior positions
Search & Comparison IntentPeople looking to start in game designPeople seeking to advance or understand the role

Junior Game Design roles are entry-level positions requiring foundational skills and education, often working under supervision. Game Designers typically have more experience, greater responsibilities, and may lead projects. The main difference lies in experience level and scope of responsibilities, with Junior Game Design serving as a stepping stone toward becoming a full Game Designer.

More about Junior Game Design jobs
What cities are hiring for Junior Game Design jobs? Cities with the most Junior Game Design job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Game Design jobs? The most popular types of Game Design jobs are:
What states have the most Junior Game Design jobs? States with the most job openings for Junior Game Design jobs include:
Infographic showing various Junior Game Design job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 47% Full Time, and 53% Part Time. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,698 per year, or $27.3 per hour.
Game Designer III (Card Rules) - Riftbound

Game Designer III (Card Rules) - Riftbound

Riot Games

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$167K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Job Summary:
Riot Games is seeking a Senior Game Designer III for their game Riftbound, where you will design and optimize player experiences. The role involves collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to create engaging gameplay through card rules and mechanics, while also providing mentorship to junior team members.
Responsibilities:
• Understand the relevant audiences for the game, and from this, calibrate your design expertise to reflect appropriate taste for these audiences
• Use data and sense-making to identify opportunities to improve the health of the game through cards
• Articulate and consider a scope and depth of possible solutions, including possible effects, and collaboratively reach the best solution
• Evaluate and improve rules across the game’s design and execution, especially understanding the multiple ways the game will be played by players
• Improve existing design frameworks, our approaches to design, and create new ones
• Openly share work and seek feedback from other developers, while combine co-worker and player feedback to calibrate design direction
• Provide mentorship to more junior members of the design team
Qualifications:
Required:
• 4+ years experience as a game designer and/or tabletop game rules manager
• Demonstrated experience working on rules for tabletop games
• Broad mechanics and content design ability
Preferred:
• Knowledge of CCGs and their features
• Experience playing or judging in CCGs
• Experience working with or playing PvP strategy games
• Experience developing a competitive or multiplayer game
Company:
Riot Games is a global company that develops online games. Founded in 2006, the company is headquartered in Los Angeles, USA, with a team of 1001-5000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

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

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