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Puzzle Game Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Limit Break

$162K/yr

Game Designer (Puzzle) About us: Deep expertise. Personal and Industry evolution. Impeccable craft ... Design and balance gameplay mechanics and progression systems that reinforce player flow ...

MobilityWare

Game Designer

Lehi, UT · On-site

$145K/yr

You will be responsible for creating Game Design Documents that empower Engineers, Artists, and QA ... MobilityWare is one of the leading mobile game publishers of card and puzzle games. With our ...

MobilityWare

Game Designer

Lehi, UT · On-site

$145K/yr

You will be responsible for creating Game Design Documents that empower Engineers, Artists, and QA ... MobilityWare is one of the leading mobile game publishers of card and puzzle games. With our ...

Netflix

Senior Game Producer - Party & Puzzle Games

$170K - $250K/yr

As a Senior Producer for Party and Puzzle Games, you will be at the forefront of our game ... Strong understanding of game development - Design, Programming, Art, Audio, Localization, QA, ...

Netflix

Senior Game Producer - Party & Puzzle Games

OR · On-site +1

$170K - $250K/yr

As a Senior Producer for Party and Puzzle Games, you will be at the forefront of our game ... Strong understanding of game development - Design, Programming, Art, Audio, Localization, QA, ...

Netflix

Senior Game Producer - Party & Puzzle Games

OR · On-site +1

$170K - $250K/yr

As a Senior Producer for Party and Puzzle Games, you will be at the forefront of our game ... Strong understanding of game development - Design, Programming, Art, Audio, Localization, QA, ...

Netflix

Senior Game Producer - Party & Puzzle Games

$170K - $250K/yr

As a Senior Producer for Party and Puzzle Games, you will be at the forefront of our game ... Strong understanding of game development - Design, Programming, Art, Audio, Localization, QA, ...

Zynga

Principal Game Designer

Carlsbad, CA

$107K - $158K/yr

Expert with level design and gameplay mechanics * Possesses an extensive knowledge of mobile games, particularly in the areas of casual, puzzle, and/or role-playing games * Translates direct consumer ...

Relevate Health

$100K - $125K/yr

... puzzle games, strategy games, or massively-multiplayer party games--all brought to life with stunning graphics and thoughtful game design. Beyond creating top-quality games, you'll be advancing the ...

Booz Allen Hamilton

Game Designer

Washington, DC

$77K - $176K/yr

... puzzle. You'll guide teammates and lead the development of algorithms and systems. You'll use the ... Experience in Modeling and Simulation environments and with game design * Experience with scripting ...

Booz Allen Hamilton

Game Designer

Washington, DC · On-site

$77K - $176K/yr

... puzzle. You'll guide teammates and lead the development of algorithms and systems. You'll use the ... Experience in Modeling and Simulation environments and with game design * Experience with scripting ...

Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.

Game Designer

Washington, DC · On-site

$77K - $176K/yr

... puzzle. You'll guide teammates and lead the development of algorithms and systems. You'll use the ... Experience in Modeling and Simulation environments and with game design * Experience with scripting ...

Zynga

Principal Game Designer

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$107K - $158K/yr

Expert with level design and gameplay mechanics * Possesses an extensive knowledge of mobile games, particularly in the areas of casual, puzzle, and/or role-playing games * Translates direct consumer ...

Netflix

OR · On-site

$123K - $125K/yr

Experience in Party and Puzzle Games ... Strong understanding of end-to-end game development processes, including design, programming, art ...

Netflix

Executive Producer, Party Games

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

$133K - $135K/yr

As an Executive Producer for the Party and Puzzle Games Portfolio, you will be an operational ... game development processes, including design, programming, art, and audio. Ability to manage ...

Netflix

Executive Producer, Party Games

Los Gatos, CA · On-site +1

$144K - $146K/yr

As an Executive Producer for the Party and Puzzle Games Portfolio, you will be an operational ... game development processes, including design, programming, art, and audio. Ability to manage ...

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All JobsPuzzle Game Design Jobs

Puzzle Game Design information

See salary details

$79.5K

$130.8K

$196K

How much do puzzle game design jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for puzzle game design in the United States is $130,762.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,000.00 and $150,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do puzzle testers make?

Puzzle testers typically earn between $10 and $20 per hour, depending on experience and the company. They evaluate game mechanics, identify bugs, and provide feedback to improve gameplay, often working flexible hours in a game development environment.

Can I get paid to solve puzzles?

Puzzle game designers and related roles can earn income by creating, testing, or solving puzzles as part of their job, often within game development companies or freelance projects. While some puzzle enthusiasts may participate in competitions or online platforms that offer monetary rewards, most paid opportunities involve designing or developing puzzles rather than casual solving. Skills in logic, creativity, and familiarity with game design tools are typically required for these roles.

What are some common challenges faced by puzzle game designers during the development process?

Puzzle game designers often face the challenge of balancing difficulty to keep players engaged without causing frustration. Creating original and intuitive mechanics that provide satisfying 'aha!' moments is another common hurdle. Additionally, designers must ensure that puzzles integrate seamlessly with the game's narrative and visual style, and frequently collaborate with artists, programmers, and playtesters to refine each level. Effective communication and iteration are key to addressing feedback and enhancing the overall player experience.

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

To excel as a Puzzle Game Designer, you need a strong grasp of game design principles, logic, creativity, and often a degree in game design, computer science, or a related field. Familiarity with game engines like Unity or Unreal, as well as proficiency in prototyping tools and scripting languages, is typically required. Outstanding problem-solving, collaboration, and playtesting communication skills help designers create engaging player experiences. These competencies are crucial for developing innovative, challenging puzzles that captivate players and contribute to a game's success.

How much does a game designer get paid?

Game designers typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000 to $90,000, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of the projects. Entry-level designers may start at lower salaries, while experienced professionals or those working on popular titles can earn significantly more. Skills in programming, storytelling, and familiarity with design tools like Unity or Unreal Engine can influence compensation.

What is the difference between Puzzle Game Design vs Level Designer?

AspectPuzzle Game DesignLevel Designer
Required SkillsGame mechanics, puzzle logic, creativityLevel layout, environment design, user experience
Work EnvironmentGame studios, remote, collaborative teamsGame studios, freelance, collaborative teams
Industry UsageMobile, casual, puzzle genresVarious genres including action, adventure, puzzle
Common Search IntentDesigning puzzles, game mechanics, creative rolesCreating levels, environment design, game flow

While both roles involve game development, Puzzle Game Design focuses on creating engaging puzzles and mechanics, whereas Level Designer emphasizes designing the overall environment and levels. Puzzle Game Designers develop the core gameplay elements, while Level Designers craft the spaces players explore. Both roles often collaborate but serve distinct functions within game development teams.

What is puzzle game design?

Puzzle game design is the process of creating games that challenge players to solve problems or complete tasks using logic, pattern recognition, strategy, or word completion. Designers in this field focus on developing engaging mechanics, interesting challenges, and rewarding progression to keep players entertained and mentally stimulated. Puzzle game designers often balance difficulty, accessibility, and creativity to ensure their games are both fun and approachable for a wide audience.

What job should I do if I like puzzles?

A career in puzzle game design involves creating and developing puzzles for video games, mobile apps, or physical games. It requires skills in creativity, problem-solving, and knowledge of game development tools or programming languages. This field often involves collaboration with artists and programmers and may require a portfolio demonstrating puzzle design skills.
More about Puzzle Game Design jobs
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What job categories do people searching Puzzle Game Design jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Puzzle Game Design jobs are:
Puzzle Game Design jobs near you
Game Designer (Puzzle) (Japan)

Game Designer (Puzzle) (Japan)

Limit Break

$162K/yr

Contractor

Posted 23 days ago

Job description
 
 
Limit Break
 
Limit BreakBuckley VenturesParadigm Ventures
 
Limit Break
 

  • Expected Value
  • NormalHardBossEvent

  • UXArtEngineering
  • A/B
  • ARPDAUExpected ValueRetention
  • AI
  • KPI
  • A/B
  • Data ScienceProductLiveOps
Game Designer (Puzzle) 
 
About us:
 
Deep expertise. Personal and Industry evolution. Impeccable craft. These are Limit Break's founding principles.
Limit Break is founded by global industry leaders in mobile gaming. We are unlocking its potential beyond games to transform digital markets into real-world economies and digital worlds into vibrant communities who will take gaming economies for both players and traders to new limits. We combine the power of technology, and creative vision to create experiences that connect people from all corners of the globe.
 
Limit Break is backed by leading investors that include Buckley Ventures & Paradigm Ventures. The adoption rate and a number of public and private partnerships is proving it to be the next wave of technology of the future and Gaming is leading the way.
 
About the Role:
 
As a Game Designer focused on Mechanics and Live Balance, you will be responsible for designing and tuning core gameplay systems that drive player flow, engagement, and long-term retention.
 
You will operate at the intersection of game design, player psychology, and data analytics - continuously optimizing difficulty curves, progression systems, and in-game economy through live data and structured experimentation.
 
 
You will have the opportunity to:
 
  • Design and balance gameplay mechanics and progression systems that reinforce player flow, engagement, and retention
  • Lead continuous post-launch tuning efforts
    Analyze player data, win rates, and retention metrics to optimize gameplay curves and in-game economy balance
  • Define and refine difficulty curves, reward structures, and Expected Value models across player segments
  • Collaborate with Live Operations to maintain healthy source/sink systems and ensure sustainable in-game economic flow
  • Work closely with data analysts to evaluate completion rates, retry rates, booster usage, and monetization correlations
  • Build and maintain structured difficulty tiers (e.g., Normal / Hard / Boss / Event)
  • Lead live tuning cycles, including hypothesis design, parameter adjustments, and performance measurement
  • Partner with UX, Art, and Engineering to ensure puzzles clearly communicate goals and deliver strong feedback loops
  • Design and run A/B tests on gameplay parameters, rewards, and difficulty configurations
  • Document tuning frameworks, economic structures, and balancing methodologies to ensure cross-team alignment
Qualifications:
  • Strong interest in game design, level design, player psychology, and data science
  • Clear understanding of how difficulty design, gameplay flow, and economic systems influence retention and monetization
  • Ability to analyze quantitative metrics (e.g., win/loss rates, ARPDAU, Expected Value, retention deltas) and translate insights into actionable design decisions
  • Experience with capacity planning for level production in casual genres, including the use of automation and AI tools
  • Comfortable iterating quickly based on live KPIs and player feedback
  • Ability to thrive in Agile development environments
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design intent and logic across disciplines
Nice to Have: 
  • Experience designing within hybrid-casual genres
  • Familiarity with A/B testing frameworks and live balancing tools
  • Background in economy simulation, retention modeling, or monetization design
  • Hands-on experience with source/sink modeling and reward pacing systems
  • Experience with expected value modeling, difficulty curve design, and win-rate-based balancing
Apply now:
If you are confident, driven and are looking for an exciting role, this job could be a great opportunity for you.
Apply to [email protected] to explore this new opportunity.
 
This is an international blockchain gaming company that operates regionally, and is opening offices in multiple locations around the globe.
 
We value diversity at our company. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics in the location in which the candidate is applying. 
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