Senior Game Developer Jobs in Phoenix, AZ (NOW HIRING)

Build Technology That Protects Arizona's Wildlife and Wild Places
We are seeking a visionary Applications Developer Senior/Lead to provide strategic technical leadership and architectural oversight. This pivotal role is responsible for defining the department's software development standards, driving technical excellence, and ensuring that our digital infrastructure remains robust, secure, and scalable. You will not only lead complex project initiatives from conception to delivery but also establish the best practices that ensure our high-quality software solutions effectively support the mission of protecting Arizona's wildlife and natural resources.

As a technical leader, you will provide high-level direction for production systems, proactively architecting solutions to complex challenges and ensuring the stability of our entire application ecosystem. You will champion a culture of rigorous testing and continuous improvement, overseeing the integrity and performance of critical departmental systems through expert-level analysis and decision-making.
In this role, you will be a key mentor to our development team, conducting high-impact code reviews and fostering a digital-first environment. Working as a strategic partner to stakeholders and project managers, you will translate functional requirements into sophisticated technical architectures. By leading the modernization of our systems, you will directly influence the department's ability to serve Arizona's fish, wildlife, and outdoor recreation community with efficiency and innovation.
If you are motivated by purpose-driven work and enjoy solving complex problems through technology, this is an opportunity to apply your skills in service of Arizona's natural resources and communities!

APPLICATIONS DEVELOPER SENIOR/LEAD
SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION / INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/ PHOENIX BASED
FLSA-EXEMPT / SALARY GRADE 27 / HIRING SALARY RANGE: $71,677 - $91,000
Provides technical solutions and reviews new and existing applications to ensure functional and technical designs are met, working in close coordination with the Development team, Project Manager (PM), Quality Assurance (QA), and the Supervisor. Recommends and trains fixes or changes to new or existing applications to meet functional and technical designs following best practices and development standards and guidelines. Analyzes and resolves complex problems, while providing regular status updates and alignment to the Supervisor. Supports production systems; analyzes and resolves production problems in a timely manner; resolves end user service requests as assigned. Completes or trains others on unit and system test application changes to ensure system integrity alongside the QA team. Engages with project managers, business analysts, and stakeholders to understand functional requirements, and contributes to the completion of functional specifications. Conducts code reviews, mentors junior developers, and drives technical excellence across the development team.
This position requires a regular on-site presence at our office located at 5000 W. Carefree Hwy., Phoenix, AZ 85086, candidates must be able to commute regularly to our Phoenix office.
Major duties may include:

 Technical Leadership & Solution Delivery - Architect and deliver technical solutions while reviewing new applications to ensure strict adherence to functional and technical design requirements.
 Application Maintenance & Standards - Recommend, develop, and implement code fixes or enhancements for new and existing applications following established industry best practices, development standards, and corporate guidelines.
 Production Support & Problem Solving - Provide tier-three production support by analyzing and resolving complex application problems and fulfilling end-user service requests in a timely manner.
 Mentorship & Code Governance - Conduct formal code reviews, provide continuous mentorship to junior developers, and drive overall technical excellence across the core development team.
 Cross-Functional Collaboration - Partner closely with the development team, Project Managers (PMs), and Quality Assurance (QA) to synchronize project execution, while maintaining regular alignment and reporting progress to the Supervisor.
 Requirements Analysis - Engage with project managers, business analysts, and key stakeholders to interpret functional requirements and contribute directly to comprehensive technical and functional specifications.
Performs other duties as assigned.

The candidate will have knowledge in/of: multiple programming languages, specialized knowledge in .NET web-based systems; deep knowledge working with multiple database management systems, specifically MSSQL; application design, integration, and architecture; AWS products and services, combined with experience reviewing and developing mobile applications; Agile development environment to deliver technical solutions; Arizona Management System; mobile app development and design principles; cross-platform frameworks, and mobile deployment workflows.
The candidate will be skilled in: customer service; written, oral, and virtual communications; developing project workflows and timelines; training, mentoring, and conducting code reviews for junior developers; resolving complex application and production issues that cannot be resolved by junior developers; providing regular status updates to supervisors; working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while balancing production support and end-user service requests; critical thinking; attention to detail; providing and/or receiving constructive reviews.
The candidate will have the ability to: balance, prioritize, and organize multiple tasks; work collaboratively in teams, and align across the organization; synthesize feedback, understand functional requirements, contribute to functional specifications, and adjust plans accordingly; quickly learn and develop in new programming languages, APIs, and platforms to build creative solutions that meet business needs; review application designs, system tests, and the workflow of junior developers to identify risks in design and code while ensuring system integrity; support production systems in a timely manner and participate in the creation of policy and procedure.

 Team Leadership: 2+ years leading an application development team.
 Mobile Development: Proficiency in mobile application design and development principles.
 Cloud Infrastructure: Practical experience with AWS products and services.
 .NET Expertise: 7+ years of specialized .NET web-based systems development.
 Database Management: Deep proficiency in multiple database management systems, with a focus on MSSQL.

Bachelor's degree plus 8 or more years of programming and analysis experience (or equivalent experience).
Position requires possession of and the ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver's license appropriate to the assignment.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver's License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona offers an outstanding comprehensive benefits package including:
 13 days' of vacation
 12 sick days
 10 paid holidays
 Tuition Reimbursement Program
 Participation in the nationally recognized Arizona State Retirement System
 Superior health care options
 Vision care, dental care, pharmacy benefits, and flexible spending account (options available)
 Life, long-term disability, and short-term disability insurance options are available
 Many more benefit programs are available

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Nicole Baker at nbaker@azgfd.gov for assistance. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is an Equal Employment Opportunity agency.