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Senior Game Programmer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Warnerbros

Senior Designer, Combat

Chicago, IL · On-site

$89K - $166K/yr

Games family. With over 20 years of creation under our belts, NetherRealm's mission remains the ... Strong programming or scripting knowledge and experience required. * B.A. degree preferred or ...

PopCandi

Sr. Software Developer

Skokie, IL · On-site

$52 - $68.75/hr

About the Sr. Software Developer Our client is an innovative SaaS and services company, providing ... game! In this role, you will be part of a development pod, working closely with the Tech/Team Lead ...

Coinflow

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$140K - $190K/yr

Founded in 2023, the company serves marketplaces, fintechs, remittance providers, gaming platforms ... About The Role We're looking for a Senior Software Engineer to help build the core infrastructure ...

iManage

Senior AI Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$180K - $220K/yr

Being a Senior AI Engineer at iManage Means... You are passionate about building and deploying AI ... Collaborate in a modern open plan workspace, with a gaming area, free snacks, drinks and regular ...

iManage

Senior AI Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$180K - $220K/yr

Being a Senior AI Engineer at iManage Means... You are passionate about building and deploying AI ... Collaborate in a modern open plan workspace, with a gaming area, free snacks, drinks and regular ...

Teledyne FLIR LLC

Senior Software Engineer

Elgin, IL · On-site

$86K - $115K/yr

We are looking for an ambitious and talented Senior Software Engineer to be a driving member of the ... audio, gaming, and computer devices worldwide. You should be open-minded, a quick learner, and ...

Teledyne

Senior Software Engineer

Elgin, IL

$86K - $115K/yr

We are looking for an ambitious and talented Senior Software Engineer to be a driving member of the ... audio, gaming, and computer devices worldwide. You should be open-minded, a quick learner, and ...

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Senior Game Programmer information

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How much do senior game programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior game programmer in Chicago, IL is $53.90, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45.34 and $64.42 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 Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Game Programmer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Game Programmer jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Senior Game Programmer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Game Programmer jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Game Programmer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Senior Game Programmer jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Senior Game Programmer job openings:

Senior Game Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Game Programmer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $112,102 per year, or $53.9 per hour.

Senior Designer, Combat

Warnerbros

Chicago, IL • On-site

$89K - $166K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery... the stuff dreams are made of.

Who We Are...

When we say, "the stuff dreams are made of," we're not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD's vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what's next...

From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.

The creative team that brought Mortal Kombat and Injustice to life is now NetherRealm Studios, part of the Warner Bros. Games family. With over 20 years of creation under our belts, NetherRealm's mission remains the same: to create cutting edge entertainment and deliver industry leading tech, game art and overall gaming experiences. NetherRealm Studios is a collaborative and creative environment, constantly striving to up the ante on what is possible in interactive entertainment. Our team is comprised of dedicated professionals with years of experience who are at the forefront of the gaming industry. The passion and energy that made Mortal Kombat a reality is still on display every day in our offices, our hallways and most definitely the studio's arcade room.

The Job

The Senior Combat Designer will be responsible for significant contributions to game design with a focus on combat, moment-to-moment gameplay, and character implementation. Alongside Lead and fellow Designers, the Senior Combat Designer is expected to implement and maintain combat-centric systems, game balance, and character tuning.

The Daily

  • Establishes and maintains design documentation for combat gameplay and systems.
  • Designs and builds game experiences, including implementation of characters and their navigation, combat move sets, and moment to moment gameplay.
  • Works closely with art teams to collaborate on and help define all associated visual elements.
  • Iterate with gameplay teams to drive the implementation of character combat with the highest degree of polish.
  • Analyze and incorporate user feedback from usability tests.
  • Works with personnel on R&D efforts for new game systems and creates playable prototypes as required.

The Essentials

  • 6+ years game design experience required.
  • Shipped at least 2 titles with a strong emphasis in combat design and implementation.
  • Direct experience in implementing combat mechanics (with a preference on melee-based combat) on at least 2 shipped titles.
  • Strong programming or scripting knowledge and experience required.
  • B.A. degree preferred or equivalent job experiences.
  • Ability to work well under pressure and with deadlines.
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
  • Strong passion for action and fighting games with a focus on combat mechanics.
  • Positive attitude and collaborative approach to problem solving.

How We Get Things Done...

This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/ along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

Championing Inclusion at WBD

Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law.

If you're a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions to submit your request.

In compliance with local law, we are disclosing the compensation, or a range thereof, for roles in locations where legally required. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, skill set, experience, and/or performance. Base pay is just one component of Warner Bros. Discovery's total compensation package for employees. Pay Range: $89,600.00 - $166,400.00 salary per year. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. In addition, Warner Bros. Discovery provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, an employee wellness program, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays and sick time and vacation.

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