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Puzzle Game Design Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Puzzle Game Design information

See Washington salary details

$90K

$148.1K

$222K

How much do puzzle game design jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for puzzle game design in Washington is $148,100.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $121,200.00 and $169,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a puzzle game designer?

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.

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 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.

How to become a puzzle game designer?

To become a puzzle game designer, develop strong skills in game design, programming, and logic, often through a degree in game design, computer science, or related fields. Building a portfolio of puzzle prototypes and gaining experience with game development tools like Unity or Unreal Engine can improve job prospects. Understanding player psychology and testing puzzle mechanics are also important for success in this role.

Which puzzle game design jobs pay the most?

Senior puzzle game designers and lead roles in game development typically have the highest salaries in puzzle game design, often exceeding $100,000 annually. These positions require extensive experience, strong skills in game mechanics and user experience, and often involve leadership responsibilities within development teams.

What job categories do people searching Puzzle Game Design jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Puzzle Game Design jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Puzzle Game Design jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Puzzle Game Design job openings:

Infographic showing various Puzzle Game Design job openings in Washington as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 43% Full Time, 28% Temporary, and 29% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $148,100 per year, or $71.2 per hour.

Deployment Strategist - DHS/DOJ

Scale AI, Inc.

Washington, DC • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday

New


Scale AI rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 9 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

80th of 246 rated software companies


Job description

Scale is building AI for the world's most important decisions. From the front lines of homeland security to the core of global enterprise, we provide the data engine and agentic infrastructure that powers the next generation of American and allied interests.

As a Deployment Strategist supporting DHS and DOJ, you will be responsible for bridging the gap between cutting-edge AI research and mission-critical production. You will lead the charge in deploying Agentic AI, autonomous reasoning systems, into the heart of homeland security and law enforcement workflows, ensuring that some of the nation's most consequential decisions are supported by the world's best technology.

Deployment Strategist (DHS/DOJ)

We are looking for a powerhouse executive account leader who understands that winning at DHS and DOJ isn't about a successful 6-month pilot; it's about becoming an enduring, funded capability inside a component's operational baseline. You will focus on landing and transitioning high-stakes prototypes into full-scale enterprise deployments, navigating the complexities of the Valley of Death by securing executive sponsorship and programmed funding.

Responsibilities:

This is an individual contributor role with heavy leadership expectations. You are the "CEO of the Account," responsible for the following:

  • Full-Spectrum Capture & Quota Ownership: Carry and exceed a multi-million dollar annual revenue quota. You are responsible for the entire lifecycle: from identifying the top of funnel opportunity and shaping requirements to the final contract award and revenue recognition.
  • Tactical Execution: You don't just delegate; you execute. You will personally draft high-impact white papers, lead the development of complex proposals, architect deal structures, and navigate the nuances of federal civilian contracting, including OTAs, GSA schedules, and component-specific IDIQ vehicles.
  • Operational Transition: Once the deal is signed, your job isn't over. You will continue to lead the account, ensuring that the delivery team (Engagement Managers, Technical PMs, Engineers, and Product) enables mission success. You are the primary point of contact for the customer, ensuring the pilot doesn't just work, but scales.
  • Renewal, Expansion, & Growth: Own the long-term account strategy. You are responsible for identifying the next use case, securing the follow-on funding, and driving the 10x growth that turns a single component deployment into a department-wide enterprise standard.
  • Direct Agentic Solutioning: Work in the weeds with technical teams and end-users to co-design Agentic AI workflows. You must be able to translate a customer's vision into a specific technical requirement that our engineers can build against.
  • SI & Prime Orchestration: In partnership with Scale's Partner Managers, you will actively manage and negotiate with Tier 1 Systems Integrators and federal primes to ensure Scale is the agentic AI engine of their larger programs. You will be the lead negotiator for sub-contracting and teaming agreements.

Requirements:

  • Experience: 10+ years of experience in complex enterprise IT sales or business development, specifically within DHS, DOJ, or the broader federal law enforcement and homeland security market.
  • Proven Track Record: You have successfully closed and implemented multi-year deals exceeding $25M. You know how to get a line item in the budget.
  • Domain Expertise: Deep understanding of DHS and DOJ modernization priorities, specifically in AI/ML, computer vision, biometrics, screening and vetting, investigative analytics, or case management.
  • The Valley of Death Navigator: You have a demonstrated ability to transition technology from "cool demo" to "deployed capability" within a major component program office.
  • Strategic Network: Existing high-level relationships across DHS and DOJ components (CBP, ICE, USCIS, TSA, CISA, FBI, DEA, ATF, USMS) and their CIO and enterprise IT organizations, as well as a Rolodex of contacts at the major federal integrators.
  • Clearance: Active Secret clearance is strongly preferred; TS/SCI and existing component suitability are a plus.
  • Education: BS/BA required; technical degree or MBA preferred.
  • Geography: Based in the National Capital Region, with the ability to work out of Scale's D.C. office 2-3 days a week.
  • Travel: Ability to travel 20-30% of the time.

Who you are:

  • Mission-Driven: You believe that whoever wins in AI wins the next century, and you want that to be the United States and its allies.
  • Relentless: You thrive in the long-game of defense procurement. You aren't discouraged by bureaucracy; you see it as a puzzle to be solved.
  • Adaptive: You can operate in the high-velocity environment of a Series E startup while maintaining the polish required for the Pentagon.
  • The Closer-Operator: You have the executive presence to brief a PEO.
  • Radically Accountable: You don't wait for a marketing lead or a BD specialist to hand you a deal. You build your own funnel, navigate the "No's," and find the creative path to "Yes."
  • Technically Credible: You aren't a software engineer, but you can explain the difference between RAG and Agentic reasoning to a skeptical technical evaluator.

Sales Commission: This role is eligible to earn commissions.

The base salary range for this full-time position in the location of San Francisco, New York, or Seattle is [ ]. Compensation packages at Scale include base salary, equity, and benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position, determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, interview performance, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. Scale employees are also granted Stock Options that are awarded upon board of director approval. You'll also receive benefits including, but not limited to: Comprehensive health, dental and vision coverage, retirement benefits, a learning and development stipend, and generous PTO. Additionally, this role may be eligible for additional benefits such as a commuter stipend.

Compensation packages at Scale for eligible roles include base salary, equity, and benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position and may be inclusive of several career levels at Scale; it will be determined during the interview process based on work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, qualifications, interview performance, and relevant education or training. Scale employees in eligible roles are also granted equity based compensation, subject to Board of Director approval. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process, and confirm whether the hired role will be eligible for equity grant. You'll also receive benefits including, but not limited to: comprehensive health, dental and vision coverage, retirement benefits, a learning and development stipend, and generous PTO. Additionally, this role may be eligible for additional benefits such as a commuter stipend.

The base salary range for this full-time position in the location of Washington DC is:
$176,800—$221,000 USD

PLEASE NOTE:Our policy requires a 90-day waiting period before reconsidering candidates for the same role. This allows us to ensure a fair and thorough evaluation of all applicants.

About Us:

At Scale, our mission is to develop reliable AI systems for the world's most important decisions. Our products provide the high-quality data and full-stack technologies that power the world's leading models, and help enterprises and governments build, deploy, and oversee AI applications that deliver real impact. We work closely with industry leaders like Meta, Ernst & Young, Mayo Clinic, Time Inc., the Government of Qatar, and U.S. government agencies including the Army and Air Force. We are expanding our team to accelerate the development of AI applications.

We believe that everyone should be able to bring their whole selves to work, which is why we are proud to be an inclusive and equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability status, gender identity or Veteran status.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and mental disabilities. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation in the application or recruiting process due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@scale.com. Please see the United States Department of Labor's Know Your Rights poster for additional information.

We comply with the United States Department of Labor's Pay Transparency provision.

PLEASE NOTE: We collect, retain and use personal data for our professional business purposes, including notifying you of job opportunities that may be of interest and sharing with our affiliates. We limit the personal data we collect to that which we believe is appropriate and necessary to manage applicants' needs, provide our services, and comply with applicable laws. Any information we collect in connection with your application will be treated in accordance with our internal policies and programs designed to protect personal data. Please see our privacy policy for additional information.


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