1

Senior Game Programmer Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

Senior Gameplay Programmer

Austin, TX ยท On-site

$90K - $130K/yr

Gunfire Games is seeking an experienced Senior Gameplay Programmer to contribute to our upcoming ... Use your expertise to identify and resolve technical issues in the game, from minor bugs to ...

Senior XR/Unity Developer Location: Austin TX || Onsite Interview: Virtual Senior XR/Unity ... Master's degree in computer science, Game Development, or a related field. * Experience with ...

Senior Product Manager

Austin, TX ยท On-site

$125K - $165K/yr

They are seeking a Senior Product Manager to lead a team in developing new game features, driving ... Zynga is a mobile game developer that creates and operates social games as live services played on ...

Sr. DevOps Engineer

Austin, TX

$128K - $165K/yr

At Exacta Systems, we're not just shaping the future of gaming-we're redefining it. As a leader in ... The Sr. DevOps Engineer will partner closely with software engineering, QA, and IT operations teams ...

Sr. DevOps Engineer

Austin, TX

$128K - $165K/yr

At Exacta Systems, we're not just shaping the future of gaming--we're redefining it. As a leader in ... The Sr. DevOps Engineer will partner closely with software engineering, QA, and IT operations teams ...

Sr. DevOps Engineer

Austin, TX ยท On-site

$120 - $180/hr

At Exacta Systems, we're not just shaping the future of gaming--we're redefining it. As a leader in ... The Sr. DevOps Engineer will partner closely with software engineering, QA, and IT operations teams ...

Sr. DevOps Engineer

Austin, TX ยท On-site

$128K - $165K/yr

At Exacta Systems, we're not just shaping the future of gaming-we're redefining it. As a leader in ... The Sr. DevOps Engineer will partner closely with software engineering, QA, and IT operations teams ...

Senior Build Engineer

Austin, TX ยท On-site

$103K - $142K/yr

Gunfire Games is seeking a Senior Build Engineer to own and improve the systems, automation, and infrastructure that keep our development pipelines reliable, efficient, and scalable. You will work ...

Senior Software Engineer

Austin, TX ยท On-site

$100K - $200K/yr

Panic Button is seeking a highly experienced and motivated Senior Software Engineer with a strong focus on game porting to join our growing team. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record ...

Panic Button is seeking a highly experienced and motivated Senior Software Engineer with a strong focus on game porting to join our growing team. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record ...

Panic Button is seeking a highly experienced and motivated Senior Software Engineer with a strong focus on game porting to join our growing team. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record ...

Senior Software Engineer

Austin, TX ยท On-site

$121K - $160K/yr

Panic Button is seeking a highly experienced and motivated Senior Software Engineer with a strong focus on game porting to join our growing team. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record ...

Senior Software Engineer

Austin, TX ยท On-site

$121K - $160K/yr

Panic Button is seeking a highly experienced and motivated Senior Software Engineer with a strong focus on game porting to join our growing team. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record ...

Senior Software Engineer

Austin, TX ยท On-site

$121K - $160K/yr

Panic Button is seeking a highly experienced and motivated Senior Software Engineer with a strong focus on game porting to join our growing team. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Senior Game Programmer information

See Austin, TX salary details

$13

$51

$71

How much do senior game programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior game programmer in Austin, TX is $51.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43.61 and $61.97 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior game programmer?

Senior Game Programmers are experienced software developers who design, implement, and optimize code for video games. They typically lead programming teams, mentor junior developers, and collaborate closely with artists, designers, and other departments to bring game concepts to life. Their responsibilities often include solving complex technical challenges, ensuring high performance and stability, and making key decisions about game architecture and technology. Senior Game Programmers usually have several years of industry experience and deep knowledge of programming languages such as C++ or C#. They play a crucial role in shipping polished, high-quality games.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a senior game programmer?

To thrive as a Senior Game Programmer, you need deep expertise in programming languages like C++ or C#, solid knowledge of game development frameworks, and a degree in computer science or a related field. Experience with game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine, as well as proficiency in debugging, optimization, and version control systems like Git, is typically required. Strong problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills help you collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and mentor junior developers. These skills are crucial to delivering high-quality, performant games while ensuring efficient teamwork and project success.

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

Senior Game Programmers play a central role in cross-functional collaboration throughout the game development process. They frequently work alongside designers to translate gameplay ideas into functional mechanics, coordinate with artists to ensure asset integration, and partner with QA testers to identify and resolve bugs. Clear communication and problem-solving skills are essential, as the Senior Game Programmer often bridges technical and creative visions, helping to guide less-experienced programmers and align multiple teams towards a shared project goal.

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

AspectSenior Game ProgrammerGame Developer
CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science or related field, experience in programming languages like C++/C#Bachelor's in Computer Science, Game Design, or related field, programming skills often required
Work EnvironmentFocus on coding, debugging, optimizing game systems, often in a team of programmersBroader role including design, scripting, and sometimes project management, working across departments
Industry UsageCommonly used in game studios for technical rolesUsed broadly for roles involving game creation, including design and development

The main difference is that a Senior Game Programmer specializes in coding and technical development of game systems, while a Game Developer has a broader role that may include design, scripting, and project coordination. Senior Game Programmers focus on technical implementation, whereas Game Developers often handle multiple aspects of game creation.

What are the most commonly searched types of Game Programmer jobs in Austin, TX?

The most popular types of Game Programmer jobs in Austin, TX are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Game Programmer jobs in Austin, TX?

For Senior Game Programmer jobs in Austin, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Game Programmer jobs in Austin, TX look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Game Programmer jobs in Austin, TX are:

What cities near Austin, TX are hiring for Senior Game Programmer jobs?

Cities near Austin, TX with the most Senior Game Programmer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Game Programmer job openings in Austin, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,754 per year, or $51.8 per hour.

Senior Gameplay Programmer

Austin, TX โ€ข On-site

Gunfire Games
PC Gamesย โ€ขย 11 - 50 employees

$90K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago


Job description

Description:

What We Do:

At Gunfire Games, we’re passionate about creating unforgettable worlds and experiences. With a legacy built on titles like Darksiders 3, The Remnant Series and Chronos, we're driven by the future of game development. Our team thrives on innovation, collaboration, and honing our craft to its finest edge. We're looking for talented, passionate people to help shape the next chapter in our story. Gunfire Games is seeking an experienced Senior Gameplay Programmer to contribute to our upcoming title. The gameplay programmer will work with the technical leadership to implement gameplay features, optimize performance, and resolve technical issues within our Unreal Engine 5-based codebase. The ideal candidate has excellent C++ skills, a deep understanding of gameplay systems, and the ability to iterate and implement efficiently without sacrificing quality. We are looking for someone who is highly self-motivated and capable of working independently with minimal oversight.


What you’ll do:

  • Implement Features and Tools from Provided Design: Apply your strong C++ skills to implement gameplay features and tools based on provided design documents, ensuring functionality aligns with the vision of the project.
  • Collaborate: Work closely with cross-disciplinary teams to ensure smooth integration of gameplay mechanics, artistic assets, and animations, to maintain a high-quality player experience.
  • Proactively Identify and Address Issues: Use your expertise to identify and resolve technical issues in the game, from minor bugs to critical performance problems, ensuring a smooth and optimized experience for players.
  • Self-Management: Manage your own tasks efficiently, proactively identifying areas for improvement and pushing features forward with minimal supervision.

Who you are:

  • You have 5+ years of professional game development experience and have shipped at least one title on PC or console.
  • You are highly proficient in C++, using it to develop robust and optimized code that powers engaging gameplay features and systems.
  • You have a strong grasp of Unreal Engine 5, candidates with mostly Unity experience may not be considered.
  • You have experience working on a console platform (PlayStation, Xbox, or Switch), understanding platform-specific performance optimizations, debugging, and certification processes.
  • You have excellent game design sensibilities, ensuring that your work not only functions technically but also enhances the overall player experience and aligns with the game’s vision.
  • You are highly adaptable and proactive, able to adjust efficiently to changes in project demands, always keeping the focus on maintaining high-quality results.
  • You are highly self-motivated and independent, able to manage your workload effectively and drive projects with minimal oversight.
  • You are located in the United States and are legally authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employer sponsorship.

Bonus XP:

  • Experience with multiplayer gameplay and network replication in Unreal Engine.
  • Deep understanding of animation systems and inverse kinematics.
  • Experience working on AI systems and navigation.
  • Experience working on a console platform
  • A computer science/related degree or relevant experience

The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive, and the hired applicant may be required to undertake additional tasks as may be reasonably expected to perform.


Pay range: $90,000-$130,000


Title level and base pay offered will be based on candidate’s skills, experience, and other professional considerations.


Gunfire Games LLC is an equal opportunity employer and considers all candidates for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, marital status, military or veteran’s status (including protected veterans, as may be required by federal law), sexual orientation or any other category protected by law.


Gunfire Games LLC participates in E-Verify. All new hires are required to complete the I-9 employment eligibility verification form and provide documentation to confirm their identity and authorization to work in the United States.


Requirements: