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Lead Game Programmer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Epic Games

Senior Game Designer

Cary, NC · On-site

... with engineering, animation, VFX, audio, art, and other disciplines to bring features to life ... Lead rapid prototyping and iteration loops, using everything from early design pitches and paper ...

Search Solutions, LLC

iOS Game Developer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$55.75 - $76.75/hr

We're looking for iOS engineers to join our game studio! You will work on exciting new casual games ... Experience as a team lead preferred but not required Nice To Have * Experience with C, C+

Hasbro

Sr Game Developer - D&D

Renton, WA · Hybrid

Are you an experienced tabletop RPG designer with the demonstrated ability to lead major RPG products from inception through publication? We are seeking a Senior Game Developer to provide in-depth ...

Dell, Inc.

Experience Strategy Lead - Gaming

Austin, TX · On-site

$171K - $235K/yr

Experience Strategy Lead - Gaming Everything we do, we do with our customers front of mind. Our ... Engineering team leads the design and evaluation of technologies that make our innovative, game ...

Relevate Health

$100K - $125K/yr

Job Summary We are looking for a Senior Game Producer to lead and a team of game developers. The ideal candidate is a seasoned game industry professional with a strong track record of successfully ...

teamLFG

Game Engineering Director

OR · On-site +1

... lead an organization to execute on a technology strategy * Effectively communicate with and inspire fellow engineers by driving team alignment and buy-in on technology vision and architectural ...

Goliath

Tabletop Game Designer

Dallas, TX · On-site

$153K/yr

... lead structured team brainstorms, providing creative direction and documentation to move the strongest ideas into development. • Research social, cultural, entertainment, toy, and gaming trends ...

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Lead Game Programmer information

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How much do lead game programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for lead game programmer in the United States is $54.96, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43.27 and $68.75 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a lead game programmer do?

A Lead Game Programmer oversees the technical development of a video game, managing a team of programmers and ensuring the game’s codebase is robust, efficient, and meets design requirements. They collaborate closely with designers, artists, and producers to implement gameplay features and solve complex technical challenges. Lead Game Programmers also mentor junior developers, set coding standards, and are responsible for planning and prioritizing programming tasks to keep the project on schedule. Their role is crucial in ensuring that the final product is both high-quality and delivered on time.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lead game programmer?

To thrive as a Lead Game Programmer, you need advanced programming skills (especially in C++ or C#), deep understanding of game engines, and a degree in computer science or related field. Familiarity with development tools like Unreal Engine or Unity, source control systems (e.g., Git), and sometimes certifications in software architecture are typical requirements. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities make someone stand out in guiding teams and troubleshooting complex issues. These skills and qualities are vital to ensure technical excellence, efficient project delivery, and cohesive team performance in a competitive game development environment.

How does a lead game programmer typically collaborate with other departments during game development?

A Lead Game Programmer works closely with designers, artists, and producers to ensure technical feasibility and smooth integration of features. They translate creative concepts into robust technical solutions, regularly communicating with other departments to identify challenges early and align on project goals. This collaborative approach helps maintain workflow efficiency and ensures the final product meets both technical and artistic standards. Effective cross-team communication is a key part of daily and weekly responsibilities in this role.
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Lead Game Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Game Programmer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,323 per year, or $55 per hour.

Senior Game Designer

Epic Games

Cary, NC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 4 days ago

Job description

WHAT MAKES US EPIC?
At the core of Epic's success are talented, passionate people. Epic prides itself on creating a collaborative, welcoming, and creative environment. Whether it's building award-winning games or crafting engine technology that enables others to make visually stunning interactive experiences, we're always innovating.
Being Epic means being a part of a team that continually strives to do right by our community and users. We're constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development.
DESIGN
What We Do
Put your design skills to work at a cutting-edge company that challenges the norm. From character and level design to competitive gameplay and system design, help shape the future of interactive entertainment at Epic.
What You'll Do
You will collaborate with cross-disciplinary development teams to design, prototype, implement, and ship key features that expand the Fortnite universe. As a Senior Game Designer, you'll own complex areas of the game, exercise strong creative judgment, and help guide features from initial vision through polished player-facing experiences.
In this role, you will
  • Own Major Features: Drive the design and development of significant gameplay features and systems from concept through launch, establishing a clear vision, documentation, implementation plan, and path to a high-quality player experience.
  • Implement in Blueprint: Work hands-on in Unreal Engine to prototype and implement designs using Blueprint scripting, partnering closely with engineering, animation, VFX, audio, art, and other disciplines to bring features to life.
  • Shape the Big-Picture Vision: Contribute to broader product and gameplay decisions by identifying opportunities, evaluating trade-offs, and helping the team prioritize features that deliver meaningful value to players.
  • Drive Prototyping & Iteration: Lead rapid prototyping and iteration loops, using everything from early design pitches and paper concepts to playable in-engine prototypes to validate ideas and solve complex design problems.
  • Champion the Player Experience: Apply a deep understanding of player motivations and behaviors to create compelling goals, gameplay loops, and experiences that keep players engaged over time.
  • Leverage Playtests & Data: Regularly participate in playtests and design reviews, synthesizing feedback, player insights, and gameplay data into actionable imp
  • Partner Across Disciplines: Communicate design intent clearly and build alignment across teams, proactively identifying dependencies, risks, and opportunities throughout development. Raise the Design Bar: Provide thoughtful feedback and design guidance to other team members, helping strengthen features and maintain a high-quality bar across the player experience.
What we're looking for
  • Experience: 5+ years of professional game design experience, with a track record of designing and shipping high-quality gameplay features or systems.
  • Feature Ownership: Demonstrated experience independently owning complex features from early concept and prototyping through implementation, iteration, polish, and release.
  • Unreal Engine Expertise: Strong hands-on experience working in Unreal Engine, including Blueprint scripting and implementing gameplay directly in-engine.
  • Live-Ops Domain Knowledge: Experience designing content, features, or systems for Games-as-a-Service (GaaS), live-service games, or highly active online multiplayer ecosystems.
  • Multiplayer & Genre Expertise: Strong understanding of multiplayer game design and a passion for Battle Royale and other large-scale multiplayer experiences.
  • Player Empathy: A strong ability to understand player motivations, behaviors, and different forms of play, and to translate those insights into compelling gameplay experiences.
  • Design Judgment: Proven ability to evaluate ideas, navigate ambiguity, and make thoughtful decisions.
EPIC JOB + EPIC BENEFITS = EPIC LIFE
Our intent is to cover all things that are medically necessary and improve the quality of life. We pay 100% of the premiums for both you and your dependents. Our coverage includes Medical, Dental, a Vision HRA, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance & a 401k with competitive match. We also offer a robust mental well-being program through Modern Health, which provides free therapy and coaching for employees & dependents. Throughout the year we celebrate our employees with events and company-wide paid breaks. We offer unlimited PTO and sick time and recognize individuals for 7 years of employment with a paid sabbatical.
ABOUT US
Epic Games is a leading interactive entertainment company. For over 30 years we've been making award-winning games and engine technology that empowers others to make visually stunning games and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being embraced by content creators across a variety of industries such as media and entertainment, automotive, and architectural design. As we continue to build our Engine technology and develop remarkable games, we strive to build teams of world-class talent.
Like what you hear? Come be a part of something Epic!
Epic Games deeply values diverse teams and an inclusive work culture, and we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. Learn more about our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy here.
Note to Recruitment Agencies: Epic does not accept any unsolicited resumes or approaches from any unauthorized third party (including recruitment or placement agencies) (i.e., a third party with whom we do not have a negotiated and validly executed agreement). We will not pay any fees to any unauthorized third party. Further details on these matters can be found here.

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