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Lead Gameplay Programmer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

AGBO Films LLC

Principal Gameplay Engineer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

As Principal Gameplay Engineer, you will work within AGBO's Interactive team, with your focus ... Proven ability to define and lead technical architecture at a project or studio level. * Strong ...

AGBO

Principal Gameplay Engineer

Raleigh, NC

As Principal Gameplay Engineer, you will work within AGBO's Interactive team, with your focus ... Proven ability to define and lead technical architecture at a project or studio level. * Strong ...

playstudios

Lead Game Designer

Austin, TX · On-site +1

As a Lead Game Designer , you will lead the design process, collaborating with the rest of the team ... Work with software engineers to test and verify game math model simulations using statistical ...

Valicy

Senior Game Developer

Greenville, NC

Game Developer Lead Status: Exempt WHO WE ARE: We are Valicy. We play games. We also make the machines they run on. What we're building matters. How we treat people matters more. OUR MISSION: We ...

Valicy

Senior Game Developer

Wilmington, NC

Game Developer Lead Status: Exempt WHO WE ARE: We are Valicy. We play games. We also make the machines they run on. What we're building matters. How we treat people matters more. OUR MISSION: We ...

Playstudios US LLC

Lead Game Designer

Las Vegas, NV · On-site

As a Lead Game Designer , you will lead the design process, collaborating with the rest of the team ... Work with software engineers to test and verify game math model simulations using statistical ...

Spellbrush

3D Game Programmer (Unity)

San Francisco, CA · Remote

Think MiSide with LLMs, but truly integrated with gameplay, not just a RP chatbot. About Us Here at ... You'll join our lead Unity dev, who has spent the past 5 years building interactive anime avatars ...

Spellbrush

3D Game Programmer (Unity)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Think MiSide with LLMs, but truly integrated with gameplay, not just a RP chatbot. About Us Here at ... You'll join our lead Unity dev, who has spent the past 5 years building interactive anime avatars ...

Tencent

Lead Engine System Engineer

Irvine, CA

$110K - $144K/yr

S.-based, AAA game development studio for Tencent Games. Lightspeed LA is focused on building open ... Work with and lead a core technology engineering team to develop key engine systems and focus on ...

LightSpeed Studios

Lead Engine System Engineer

Irvine, CA

$110K - $144K/yr

S.-based, AAA game development studio for Tencent Games. Lightspeed LA is focused on building open ... Work with and lead a core technology engineering team to develop key engine systems and focus on ...

Apple

Software Engineering Manager - Games

Seattle, WA

$225K - $338K/yr

Apple Games is seeking a dynamic engineering manager to lead the Game Center team, driving the next generation of social and connected gaming experiences across Apple platforms. This role oversees ...

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Lead Gameplay Programmer information

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How much do lead gameplay programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for lead gameplay 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.

How does a Lead Gameplay Programmer collaborate with designers and artists during game development?

A Lead Gameplay Programmer works closely with designers and artists to translate creative concepts into functional gameplay features. This often involves regular meetings to discuss design intentions, technical feasibility, and implementation plans. The Lead ensures that the programming team builds systems that align with the artistic vision and gameplay goals, often serving as a bridge between creative and technical departments. Effective communication and problem-solving are key, as the Lead must balance design desires with performance and production constraints.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lead Gameplay Programmer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lead Gameplay Programmer, you need advanced proficiency in programming languages (such as C++ or C#), a solid understanding of game design principles, and experience with game development frameworks, typically supported by a computer science degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with industry-standard game engines like Unreal Engine or Unity, version control systems, and debugging tools is essential, and certifications in these tools are advantageous. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills help you effectively guide a team and collaborate with designers, artists, and other engineers. These competencies enable the delivery of high-quality, engaging gameplay experiences while ensuring technical excellence and team cohesion.

What does a Lead Gameplay Programmer do?

A Lead Gameplay Programmer is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of gameplay features in a video game. They work closely with designers and other programmers to ensure that game mechanics are fun, functional, and meet the project's vision. In addition to writing code, they often lead a team of gameplay programmers, providing guidance, setting technical standards, and reviewing code. Their role is crucial in bridging the gap between creative ideas and technical execution, ensuring a smooth and engaging player experience.

What is the difference between Lead Gameplay Programmer vs Gameplay Programmer?

AspectLead Gameplay ProgrammerGameplay Programmer
ResponsibilitiesOversees gameplay development, mentors team, designs core systemsDevelops gameplay features, implements mechanics, collaborates with designers
Required SkillsAdvanced programming, leadership, system designStrong coding skills, gameplay scripting, collaboration
ExperienceTypically 5+ years, leadership experience2-4 years, focused on gameplay coding
Work EnvironmentTeam leadership, project planningHands-on coding, feature implementation

The main difference between a Lead Gameplay Programmer and a Gameplay Programmer lies in scope and responsibility. The Lead oversees the entire gameplay development process, mentors team members, and makes high-level design decisions. In contrast, the Gameplay Programmer focuses on implementing specific gameplay features and mechanics under guidance. Both roles require strong programming skills, but the Lead also needs leadership and system design expertise.

More about Lead Gameplay Programmer jobs
What states have the most Lead Gameplay Programmer jobs? States with the most job openings for Lead Gameplay Programmer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Lead Gameplay Programmer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Lead Gameplay Programmer jobs are:
Lead Gameplay Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Gameplay Programmer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 43% As Needed, 9% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 1% Contract, 40% Nights, and 2% Summer. Highlights an 91% Physical, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,323 per year, or $55 per hour.

Principal Gameplay Engineer

AGBO Films LLC

Raleigh, NC • On-site

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

About the Company:
Founded in 2017 by Anthony and Joe Russo, AGBO is an artist-led independent studio shaping the future of film and television. The Russo Brothers and AGBO have generated more than $7 billion at the global box office, including Avengers: Endgame. The studio's projects include Academy Award-winning Everything Everywhere All at Once, Netflix hits The Gray Man and Extraction, and Prime Video's visceral thriller The Bluff and the global Citadel franchise.
AGBO is currently in production with Netflix on Tygo and Mercenary, both part of the Extraction universe, as well as with Lionsgate on John Rambo, a prequel to the iconic franchise. The studio is in post-production on The Whisper Man, starring Robert De Niro, and Avengers: Doomsday, which will be released December 18, 2026. AGBO will begin shooting Avengers: Secret Wars later this year. Both upcoming Avengers films are directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and co-produced by AGBO and Marvel Studios.
In 2023, AGBO welcomed Donald Mustard-former Chief Creative Officer at Epic Games and co-creator of Fortnite-as a partner. Mustard brings a bold creative vision to AGBO: to expand what storytelling can be through immersive, interconnected worlds that span across media. We're building the future of storytelling-and we're looking for bold, creative minds to help shape it. If you're ready to help define what comes next, we'd love to meet you.
Position Summary:
As Principal Gameplay Engineer, you will work within AGBO's Interactive team, with your focus spanning our active game projects and overall portfolio. You are a seasoned, highly technical engineer who brings both deep gameplay expertise and meaningful engine-level experience to bear on some of the most ambitious creative challenges in the studio. You will help define the technical direction for core gameplay systems while partnering with design and creative leadership.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Serve as the primary technical owner and subject matter expert for gameplay systems across major game features.
  • Architect, implement, and iterate on complex, high-quality gameplay systems-such as character mechanics and emergent gameplay loops.
  • Collaborate directly with creative and design leadership to translate ambitious game design vision into robust, performant engineering solutions.
  • Help drive technical strategy and establish engineering standards for gameplay development across the team.
  • Contribute engine-level improvements, optimizations, and custom systems as required to support the unique needs of the projects.
  • Mentor senior, mid-level, and junior engineers; conduct rigorous code reviews and elevate overall code quality.
  • Proactively identify and resolve deep technical challenges, including performance bottlenecks, system complexity, and architectural risk.
  • Work cross-functionally with other engineering disciplines to ensure gameplay systems integrate cleanly with the broader tech stack.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Skills:
  • 10-15 years of experience in game engineering, with significant time focused on gameplay systems; multiple shipped titles required.
  • Exceptional C++ skills and expert-level command of Unreal Engine internals (UE4 and/or UE5).
  • Experience with live service games.
  • Demonstrated engine-level experience: custom subsystems, engine modifications, deep profiling and optimization, or similar.
  • Deep expertise in gameplay systems, complex character mechanics, and interactive world systems.
  • Proven ability to define and lead technical architecture at a project or studio level.
  • Strong instincts for gameplay feel, iteration, and design collaboration-able to bridge the gap between design intent and technical execution at a high level.
  • Excellent communication skills; able to articulate complex technical concepts to both engineering and non-engineering stakeholders.
  • Experience leading or mentoring engineering teams in a high-growth or studio environment.

Additional Information:
  • This role is based in Raleigh, NC, and we are primarily seeking candidates who are currently located in the area or are open to relocating. This is a senior, high-impact position that benefits greatly from in-person collaboration with our creative and technical leadership.
  • Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

AGBO Labs LLC is committed to operating fair and unbiased recruitment procedures allowing all applicants an equal opportunity for employment, free from discrimination on the basis of religion, race, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, color, ethnic or national origin or any other classification as may be protected by applicable law. We aim to recruit the right people for the jobs we have to offer, and to assess applications on the basis of relevant skills, education and experience.
AGBO participates in E-Verify - English | Spanish
The job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent to this position.

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