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Senior Backend Game Developer Jobs in Washington, DC

System One

Senior Backend Developer

Merrifield, VA · On-site

$120K - $156K/yr

Senior Java Backend Developer Location: Vienna or Winchester, VA, San Diego, CA, or Pensacola, FL Work Schedule: hybrid, onsite 3 days a week Pay Rate: Open to Both C2C and W2 options Position Type:

BDR Solutions LLC

Sr Backend Developer

Herndon, VA · On-site +1

$123K - $160K/yr

BDR is seeking a Sr. Back-End Developer to join our growing team! This position will be performed virtually from the individual's home office working on EST time schedule. This position requires US ...

System One

Senior Backend Developer

Merrifield, VA · On-site

$120K - $156K/yr

Senior Java Backend Developer Location: Vienna or Winchester, VA, San Diego, CA, or Pensacola, FL Work Schedule: hybrid, onsite 3 days a week Pay Rate: Open to Both C2C and W2 options Position Type:

BDR Solutions LLC

Sr Backend Developer

Herndon, VA · Remote

$123K - $160K/yr

BDR is seeking a Sr. Back-End Developer to join our growing team! This position will be performed virtually from the individual's home office working on EST time schedule. This position requires US ...

Chenega MIOS

Senior Backend Developer

Vienna, VA · On-site

$120K - $157K/yr

Req ID: 40538 Summary Senior Backend Developer Vienna, VA Are you ready to enhance your skills and build your career in a rapidly evolving business climate? Are you looking for a career where ...

Chenega Corporation

Senior Backend Developer

Vienna, VA · On-site

$120K - $157K/yr

Summary Senior Backend Developer Vienna, VA Are you ready to enhance your skills and build your career in a rapidly evolving business climate? Are you looking for a career where professional ...

Chenega MIOS SBU

Senior Backend Developer

Vienna, VA · On-site

They are seeking a Senior Backend Developer to build software leveraging Esri's products and APIs, focusing on backend services that solve complex problems at a global scale. Responsibilities : • ...

Urban Legend

Senior Backend Engineer

Alexandria, VA

JOB SUMMARY: We're looking for a Senior Backend Engineer with deep Django and API experience to ... DevOps & Tooling * Comfortable working with Docker * Experience deploying to Heroku or similar ...

Urban Legend

Senior Backend Engineer

Alexandria, VA · On-site

JOB SUMMARY: We're looking for a Senior Backend Engineer with deep Django and API experience to ... DevOps & Tooling * Comfortable working with Docker * Experience deploying to Heroku or similar ...

Data Society

Sr. Backend Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site +1

About the Role The onshore Senior Back-End Engineer leads backend microservices architecture and ... Proficiency with Azure DevOps CI/CD pipelines and security-gated build processes (Veracode or ...

Data Society

Sr. Backend Engineer

Falls Church, VA · On-site

$120 - $170/hr

About the Role The onshore Senior Back-End Engineer leads backend microservices architecture and ... Proficiency with Azure DevOps CI/CD pipelines and security‑gated build processes (Veracode or ...

Data Society

Sr. Backend Engineer

Washington, DC · Remote

About the Role The onshore Senior Back-End Engineer leads backend microservices architecture and ... Proficiency with Azure DevOps CI/CD pipelines and security-gated build processes (Veracode or ...

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Senior Backend Game Developer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$72.5K

$158.4K

$215.8K

How much do senior backend game developer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior backend game developer in Washington, DC is $158,381.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $136,500.00 and $177,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a senior backend game developer do?

A Senior Backend Game Developer is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the server-side components of online and multiplayer games. They develop systems for player authentication, game logic, data storage, matchmaking, and real-time communication. Senior developers often lead backend architecture decisions, optimize performance, and ensure the security and scalability of game services. Additionally, they collaborate closely with other developers, designers, and QA engineers to deliver seamless gameplay experiences. Their role is critical for supporting large numbers of concurrent players and managing in-game events or transactions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior backend game developer?

To thrive as a Senior Backend Game Developer, you need deep expertise in server-side programming (such as Java, C#, or Node.js), experience with scalable systems, and a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with cloud platforms (like AWS or Google Cloud), databases (SQL/NoSQL), and version control systems (like Git) is typically required, along with experience in deploying and maintaining live game services. Strong problem-solving abilities, collaboration, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for working in multidisciplinary teams and addressing complex technical challenges. These competencies ensure robust, high-performance game infrastructure that can support engaging, reliable player experiences.

How does a senior backend game developer typically collaborate with other teams during the game development cycle?

As a Senior Backend Game Developer, you will work closely with frontend developers, game designers, and QA teams to ensure smooth integration of backend services such as matchmaking, leaderboards, and player progression systems. Regular cross-team meetings and code reviews are common, and you’ll often provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior developers. Effective communication and a collaborative mindset are essential, as you’ll be aligning backend architecture with gameplay features and addressing any technical challenges that arise throughout the development process.

What is the difference between Senior Backend Game Developer vs Backend Game Developer?

AspectSenior Backend Game DeveloperBackend Game Developer
Required Experience5+ years, leadership skills1-3 years, technical skills
ResponsibilitiesDesigning system architecture, mentoringImplementing server-side features, coding
Work EnvironmentLarge gaming studios, collaborative teamsStartups, smaller teams, development-focused
Common CertificationsGame development, cloud computingProgramming languages, cloud basics

The main difference between a Senior Backend Game Developer and a Backend Game Developer lies in experience, responsibilities, and leadership. Senior developers typically have more years of experience, oversee system architecture, and mentor junior staff, while backend developers focus on coding and implementing features. Both roles are essential in game development teams, but senior roles involve more strategic planning and team coordination.

What are the most commonly searched types of Backend Game Developer jobs in Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Backend Game Developer jobs in Washington, DC are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Backend Game Developer jobs in Washington, DC?

For Senior Backend Game Developer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Backend Game Developer jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Backend Game Developer jobs in Washington, DC are:

Senior Backend Game Developer jobs near you

Senior Backend Developer

System One

Merrifield, VA • On-site

$120K - $156K/yr

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 29 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Senior Java Backend Developer Location: Vienna or Winchester, VA, San Diego, CA, or Pensacola, FL Work Schedule: hybrid, onsite 3 days a week Pay Rate: Open to Both C2C and W2 options Position Type: Multiyear Contract Candidates must have a minimum of 10 years of professional experience, ideally closer to 15 years with extensive Java backend development experience, Java 17+, Spring framework/Spring Boot, and Azure. This role is for a Senior Backend Developer responsible for building, modernizing, and supporting the backend services that power mobile and online banking applications. The position focuses on developing scalable, secure, cloud-native solutions using Java and Azure technologies while collaborating with product, architecture, QA, frontend, and platform teams. The developer will contribute to application modernization efforts, mentor junior engineers, support production systems, build CI/CD pipelines, and leverage AI-assisted development tools to improve engineering productivity and code quality. Overview The Senior Backend Developer is responsible for the design, development, modernization, and support of backend services that power our mobile banking and online banking channels. This role partners closely with product teams, architects, analysts, QA engineers, frontend developers, and platform teams to deliver scalable, secure, and resilient solutions. The ideal candidate is a strong Java engineer who brings technical leadership, cloud expertise, and a passion for continuous improvement. This individual will help drive application modernization, mentor team members, and leverage emerging technologies, including AI-assisted development tools, to improve engineering efficiency and delivery quality. Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, enhance, and maintain backend services and APIs.
  • Build scalable, secure, and resilient cloud-native applications.
  • Participate in architecture and design discussions and contribute to technical solutioning.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define, design, and deliver new features and capabilities.
  • Identify performance bottlenecks, troubleshoot issues, and implement effective solutions.
  • Conduct code reviews and champion engineering best practices, quality standards, and secure coding principles.
  • Support application modernization and technical debt reduction initiatives.
  • Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines and deployment automation using Azure DevOps.
  • Participate in production support, incident response, root cause analysis, and operational readiness activities.
  • Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers.
  • Evaluate and leverage AI-assisted development tools to improve productivity, code quality, testing, and delivery speed.
  • Help maintain code quality, organization, documentation, and automation standards.
Required Skills & Experience
  • Strong experience developing applications using Java 17 or higher.
  • Experience with Spring Framework and Spring Boot.
  • Experience designing and developing RESTful APIs and microservices architectures.
  • Strong understanding of web applications, web services, and distributed systems.
  • Experience with cloud platforms, preferably Microsoft Azure.
  • Experience with Azure services such as App Services, Azure SQL, Service Bus, API Management, Application Insights, or similar cloud-native services.
  • Experience with Git-based source control, Azure DevOps Repos, pull requests, and branching strategies.
  • Experience building and maintaining CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps.
  • Strong understanding of databases, SQL, and application data integration patterns.
  • Experience troubleshooting complex, interconnected systems and applications.
  • Understanding of application scalability, resilience, observability, and performance optimization.
  • Experience working in Agile/Scrum environments.
  • Familiarity with AI-powered development tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, AI-assisted code generation, testing, analysis, and debugging) to improve developer productivity and code quality.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills.
  • Demonstrated ability and willingness to learn new technologies and adapt to changing business needs.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with Docker and Kubernetes (AKS preferred).
  • Experience with event-driven architectures and messaging platforms.
  • Experience working in the banking or financial services industry.
  • Knowledge of secure software development practices and regulatory considerations in financial systems.
  • Awareness of sustainable coding practices and energy-efficient system design.

System One, and its subsidiaries including Joulé and Mountain Ltd., are leaders in delivering outsourced services and workforce solutions across North America. We help clients get work done more efficiently and economically, without compromising quality. System One not only serves as a valued partner for our clients, but we offer eligible employees health and welfare benefits coverage options including medical, dental, vision, spending accounts, life insurance, voluntary plans, as well as participation in a 401(k) plan.

System One is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, family care or medical leave status, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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About System One

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

System One helps employers get work done more efficiently and economically without compromising quality. Over our 35+ year history, we've helped connect thousands of talented people with innovative companies. The excitement of a perfect fit motivates us every single day.

Industry

Business consulting services and recruiting and staffing services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Pittsburgh, PA, US

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