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Senior Game Programmer Jobs in Toronto, ON (NOW HIRING)

Velan Studios

Gameplay Programmer

Toronto, ON

Mid-Senior Gameplay Programmer Location: on-site/hybrid From dodgeball in the streets to racetracks in your living room, we've always been more interested in asking "what if?" than following a ...

Velan Studios

Gameplay Programmer

Toronto, ON · On-site

Mid-Senior Gameplay Programmer Location: on-site/hybrid From dodgeball in the streets to racetracks in your living room, we've always been more interested in asking "what if?" than following a ...

Velan Studios

Gameplay Animator (Senior+)

Toronto, ON · On-site

CA$110K - CA$150K/yr

Whether we're dreaming up a chaotic game of hide & seek in the dark or putting a legendary space ... You will be actively collaborating with artists, engineers and designers to develop amazing ...

Velan Studios

Gameplay Animator (Senior+)

Toronto, ON · On-site

CA$110K - CA$150K/yr

Whether we're dreaming up a chaotic game of hide & seek in the dark or putting a legendary space ... You will be actively collaborating with artists, engineers and designers to develop amazing ...

Tripledot Studios

Lead Game Designer

Toronto, ON · On-site

Clipwire Games is one of Canada's top grossing mobile game developers, and the creator of Monopoly ... senior level. You're also someone who actively uses AI tools in your day-to-day work and can help ...

Rockstar Games

Senior Web Programmer

Oakville, ON

Rockstar Games is seeking a passionate and experienced Senior Web Programmer with a focus on the "back of the frontend" to join our online development team. This role will involve a deep ...

Velan Studios

Level Designer (Senior+)

Toronto, ON · On-site

CA$95K - CA$145K/yr

... gameplay engineers * Work closely with the Game Director, Designers, and Artists on the design ... Senior $75,000. - $115,000. CAD Specialist $95,000.-$145,000. CAD Velan Studios is dedicated to ...

Velan Studios

Level Designer (Senior+)

Toronto, ON · On-site

CA$95K - CA$145K/yr

... gameplay engineers * Work closely with the Game Director, Designers, and Artists on the design ... Senior $75,000. - $115,000. CAD Specialist $95,000.-$145,000. CAD Velan Studios is dedicated to ...

Velan Studios

Graphics Programmer

Toronto, ON · On-site

Level: Mid-Senior Graphics Programmer Location: on-site/hybrid From dodgeball in the streets to ... We make games for people who appreciate craft and a little bit of magic. If you're curious, you'll ...

Velan Studios

Graphics Programmer

Toronto, ON · On-site

Level: Mid-Senior Graphics Programmer Location: on-site/hybrid From dodgeball in the streets to ... We make games for people who appreciate craft and a little bit of magic. If you're curious, you'll ...

Velan Studios

Engine and Tools Programmer

Toronto, ON · On-site

Mid-Senior Engine and Tools Programmer Location: on-site/hybrid   From dodgeball in the streets ... We make games for people who appreciate craft and a little bit of magic. If you're curious, you'll ...

Velan Studios

Engine and Tools Programmer

Toronto, ON · On-site

Level: Mid-Senior Engine and Tools Programmer Location: on-site/hybrid From dodgeball in the ... We make games for people who appreciate craft and a little bit of magic. If you're curious, you'll ...

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Senior Game Programmer information

See Toronto, ON salary details

$79.2K

$108.2K

$126.5K

How much do senior game programmer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior game programmer in Toronto, ON is $108,158.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,819.00 and $118,815.00 per year, 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 Toronto, ON?

The most popular types of Game Programmer jobs in Toronto, ON are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Game Programmer jobs in Toronto, ON?

For Senior Game Programmer jobs in Toronto, ON, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Game Programmer jobs in Toronto, ON look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Game Programmer jobs in Toronto, ON are:

What cities near Toronto, ON are hiring for Senior Game Programmer jobs?

Cities near Toronto, ON with the most Senior Game Programmer job openings:

Senior Game Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Game Programmer job openings in Toronto, ON as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 71% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,158 per year, or $52 per hour.

Gameplay Programmer

Velan Studios

Toronto, ON

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

Level: Mid-Senior Gameplay Programmer 
Location: on-site/hybrid 

From dodgeball in the streets to racetracks in your living room, we've always been more interested in asking "what if?" than following a roadmap. Whether we're dreaming up a chaotic game of hide & seek in the dark or putting a legendary space fox back in the pilot's seat, that inventor's mindset runs through everything we do. We make games for people who appreciate craft and a little bit of magic. If you're curious, you'll be in good company.

Velan Studios is looking for experienced gameplay programmers. This is a highly collaborative role, working closely with artists, designers, and other programmers. We have three requirements: 

  1. At least five years of professional experience creating game mechanics and related systems. Experience working on networked multiplayer games is a plus. 
  2. Most of our games are implemented in a mix of C/C++ and a proprietary scripting language. You should be comfortable in C/C++. 
  3. Our curiosity drives us. You must be deeply curious about something and have some evidence of that curiosity. We are looking for candidates that demonstrate a pattern of persistent and self-motivated exploration. 

Some things you might find yourself doing in this role: 

  • Brainstorming new game mechanics with the team. 
  • Jumping into game code/script to implement. 
  • Modifying the level editor to support a new game mechanic. 
  • Presenting a rough version of a new mechanic to the team and gathering feedback. 
  • Taking a rough version of a game mechanic to a shippable state. 

A few notes about how we do gameplay programming at Velan: 

  • A gameplay programmer is not just a coder. You are expected to make meaningful contributions to creative design. 
  • While gameplay is an area of expertise, we do not hire programmers so that they may work exclusively in one specialized area. Rather we believe programmers should own areas of our technology and be trusted to work across the codebase. 
  • Velan works on all kinds of games, from augmented reality driven kart racers to shooters played in the dark. But all our games are designed to bring people together to have fun. 
  • Most of our games are built on our internal engine and tools. We believe that owning our tech gives us certain technical superpowers. 

The salary for this position is typically within the range specified below per year. Please note that the actual base pay may vary based on factors such as your qualifications, skills, experience, and other relevant considerations. In addition to your salary, our comprehensive compensation package includes various perks, such as potential annual bonuses (though they are not guaranteed), health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays, and flexible time-off benefits. This range covers mid-senior level -

Toronto, ON
Mid level: $85k-$125k CAD
Senior level: $105K-$145k CAD

Velan Studios is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about a role but your experience doesn't align perfectly, we encourage you to submit a General Application. Velan Studios is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion, diversity, and providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. We seek to create a work culture that matches the diversity of our players. 

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