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Lead Game Designer Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

The Game Designer will turn early-stage ideas into engaging, intuitive, and commercially viable ... Plan and lead structured team brainstorms, providing creative direction and documentation to move ...

Tabletop Game Designer

Fort Worth, TX · On-site

$65 - $90/hr

The Game Designer will turn early-stage ideas into engaging, intuitive, and commercially viable ... Plan and lead structured team brainstorms, providing creative direction and documentation to move ...

Tabletop Game Designer

Dallas, TX · On-site

$153K/yr

The Game Designer will turn early-stage ideas into engaging, intuitive, and commercially viable ... lead structured team brainstorms, providing creative direction and documentation to move the ...

Tabletop Game Designer

Dallas, TX · On-site

$60 - $90/hr

Position Summary We are seeking a highly creative, resourceful, and organized Game Designer to ... Plan and lead structured team brainstorms, providing creative direction and documentation to move ...

Principal Game Designer

Austin, TX · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

Pitch new ideas to the team/ lead brainstorming sessions * Analyze real-time feedback and metrics, and adjust game designs accordingly while maintaining live game balance * Remain up-to-date with ...

This role involves working closely with the Lead UX Designer, UI/UX Director, Game Designers and UI team. Our UX team works collaboratively with the UI Art team and the UI Code team to ensure quality ...

This role involves working closely with the Lead UX Designer, UI/UX Director, Game Designers and UI team. Our UX team works collaboratively with the UI Art team and the UI Code team to ensure quality ...

This role involves working closely with the Lead UX Designer, UI/UX Director, Game Designers and UI team. Our UX team works collaboratively with the UI Art team and the UI Code team to ensure quality ...

This role involves working closely with the Lead UX Designer, UI/UX Director, Game Designers and UI team. Our UX team works collaboratively with the UI Art team and the UI Code team to ensure quality ...

This role involves working closely with the Lead UX Designer, UI/UX Director, Game Designers and UI team. Our UX team works collaboratively with the UI Art team and the UI Code team to ensure quality ...

This role involves working closely with the Lead UX Designer, UI/UX Director, Game Designers and UI team. Our UX team works collaboratively with the UI Art team and the UI Code team to ensure quality ...

Level Designer

Frisco, TX · Remote

$102K/yr

Our games are entrenched with rich universes that are expanded upon via transmedia storytelling ... This role involves working with the Lead Level Designer and Creative Director to pitch, build ...

New

We are looking for an outstanding Principal Experience Designer with deep knowledge of mobile game ... Set examples and establish standard methodologies in UI/UX for your game team. * Lead and ...

... lead position in the gaming industry for class III and class II (preferred) games) Ideal candidates will have experience with: * Working within game designers to brainstorm new game ideas.

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Showing results 1-20

Lead Game Designer information

See Texas salary details

$73.1K

$137.3K

$173.3K

How much do lead game designer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead game designer in Texas is $137,329.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $125,300.00 and $155,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a lead game designer do?

A Lead Game Designer is responsible for overseeing the creative vision and design process of a video game. They coordinate a team of designers, ensuring that gameplay mechanics, storylines, and user experiences align with the project’s goals. The Lead Game Designer collaborates closely with artists, programmers, and producers to translate ideas into playable features and balanced gameplay. They also mentor junior designers and help resolve design challenges throughout the development cycle.

What does a lead game designer do?

A lead game designer takes the general ideas for a video game and turns them into an executable project. In this career, you work closely with graphic designers, programmers, and other production teams to come up with a concise plan for designing the game. As a lead designer, your duties include following up with each department involved in the game production process to ensure everyone is on task and following the design and story templates. A lead designer usually reports to the creative director of the project.

How does a lead game designer collaborate with other departments during a game's development cycle?

As a Lead Game Designer, you will work closely with various teams such as art, programming, audio, and production to ensure that the game's vision is consistently implemented. Regular meetings, design documentation, and feedback sessions are essential to align everyone on gameplay mechanics, narrative elements, and technical constraints. Effective communication and problem-solving are key, as you often act as a bridge between creative concepts and practical implementation, addressing challenges as they arise.

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

To thrive as a Lead Game Designer, you need a deep understanding of game mechanics, storytelling, user experience, and a proven track record in game development, often supported by a relevant degree or portfolio. Familiarity with industry-standard game engines (such as Unity or Unreal Engine), prototyping tools, and version control systems is also important. Exceptional leadership, creativity, and communication skills help guide teams and articulate vision effectively throughout the development process. These skills ensure engaging, high-quality game experiences and successful project delivery in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

What is the difference between Lead Game Designer vs Game Designer?

AspectLead Game DesignerGame Designer
ResponsibilitiesOversees the entire game design process, manages the design team, and sets creative direction.Develops game concepts, mechanics, and levels under the guidance of the lead, focusing on specific design tasks.
Required SkillsStrong leadership, project management, and comprehensive game design experience.Creative thinking, technical skills, and proficiency in game design tools.
Work EnvironmentTypically in larger studios with multiple teams, involved in high-level decision-making.Often in smaller teams, focusing on specific design elements or features.

The main difference is that a Lead Game Designer manages the overall design process and team, while a Game Designer focuses on creating specific game elements. The Lead has broader responsibilities and leadership duties, whereas the Game Designer concentrates on executing design tasks within the project.

What are the most commonly searched types of Lead Game Designer jobs in Texas?

The most popular types of Lead Game Designer jobs in Texas are:

What are popular job titles related to Lead Game Designer jobs in TX?

For Lead Game Designer jobs in TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Lead Game Designer job openings in Texas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $137,329 per year, or $66 per hour.

$153K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

Goliath is an international manufacturer and distributor of toys and games, operating in 15 countries and reaching over 100 countries worldwide. At the heart of our business is a belief in great products and the magic of innovation. Our mission is to bring fun to every household, which we achieve through teamwork and clever collaboration.

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly creative, resourceful, and organized Game Designer to invent and develop innovative tabletop games across a wide range of categories, including preschool, kids, family, party, crime and mystery, light strategy, and licensed games.

The Game Designer will turn early-stage ideas into engaging, intuitive, and commercially viable games. This person will own concepts through iterative development-creating prototypes, testing gameplay, refining mechanics, writing rules, and collaborating with internal teams and external creative partners.

The ideal candidate combines imaginative thinking with disciplined execution. They can take a loose idea and transform it into a compelling game experience with minimal supervision, while working quickly, managing multiple projects, and responding to changing priorities and stakeholder feedback.

Key Responsibilities

Invent and develop original games across multiple categories using ideas from internal teams, inventors, licensors, external partners, consumer insights, and emerging trends.

Turn early-stage ideas into engaging, accessible, and commercially viable prototypes.

Manage multiple projects from concept through weekly iteration, documentation, final development, and production handoff.

Plan and facilitate playtesting with internal teams and target consumers, translating feedback and observed behavior into actionable improvements.

Write clear, engaging, audience-appropriate instructions and develop instruction-manual layouts informed by consumer testing.

Present concepts, prototypes, playtest findings, and recommendations; incorporate stakeholder feedback while protecting the integrity of the game experience.

Develop gameplay talking points and confidently demonstrate games for internal teams, licensors, and other partners.

Plan and lead structured team brainstorms, providing creative direction and documentation to move the strongest ideas into development.

Research social, cultural, entertainment, toy, and gaming trends; evaluate current, historical, and competitive games to identify innovations and market opportunities.

Attend trade shows, conventions, inventor events, and industry gatherings to find inspiration, research products, and identify potential inventors and partners.

Maintain a strong working knowledge of current and historical board games, gameplay mechanics, formats, materials, components, and construction innovations.

Requirements

Professional experience in board game development, game design, product development, toy development, or a closely related creative field.

Demonstrated ability to develop a game from an early-stage idea through prototyping, playtesting, iteration, and final documentation.

Strong understanding of gameplay mechanics, player psychology, pacing, balance, accessibility, and age-appropriate design.

Excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to explain gameplay clearly and concisely.

Experience planning, conducting, and documenting structured playtests.

Ability to turn qualitative consumer observations into specific, actionable improvements.

Excellent organizational and project-management abilities, including the capacity to manage several projects with shifting timelines and priorities.

Ability to work autonomously, exercise sound judgment, and move projects forward with minimal supervision.

Comfortable giving, receiving, evaluating, and incorporating constructive feedback.

A portfolio of published games, prototypes, instructions, or other relevant game-development work.

Benefits

  • 401(k) with company matching
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance to keep you covered
  • Life insurance
  • Flexible spending and health savings accounts to manage your healthcare costs
  • Paid time off to recharge when you need it
  • Join a fun, dynamic and creative industry-working with toys and games brings its own rewards