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Senior Gameplay Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

They are seeking a Senior Gameplay Engineer to help maintain Torchlight 3 and collaborate with a team of veteran developers to create engaging gameplay experiences. Responsibilities : • Understand ...

They are seeking a Senior Gameplay Engineer who will collaborate with designers and the engineering team to enhance gameplay systems, ensuring a satisfying and immersive player experience.

Senior Gameplay AI Engineer Skydance Games, a division of Paramount, a Skydance Corporation, is hiring a Senior Gameplay AI Engineer to build key NPC gameplay features and frameworks. Remote ...

New

As Senior Gameplay Engineer, you are a versatile engineer who thrives in a collaborative environment and deeply enjoys empowering designers. You will work closely with designers and the broader ...

As Senior Gameplay Engineer, you are a versatile engineer who thrives in a collaborative environment and deeply enjoys empowering designers. You will work closely with designers and the broader ...

As Senior Gameplay Engineer, you are a versatile engineer who thrives in a collaborative environment and deeply enjoys empowering designers. You will work closely with designers and the broader ...

Senior Gameplay EngineerSan Mateo, California, United StatesWe are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and inspired by a culture of inclusivity to ...

Senior Gameplay Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$116.20 - $269.10/hr

What the Role Entails Lightspeed LA is seeking a talented and enthusiastic senior gameplay engineer to join our new studio in Irvine, California. The ideal candidate will have a strong passion for ...

New

Senior Gameplay EngineerSan Mateo, California, United StatesWe are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and inspired by a culture of inclusivity to ...

Senior Gameplay EngineerSan Mateo, California, United StatesWe are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and inspired by a culture of inclusivity to ...

Senior Gameplay EngineerSan Mateo, California, United StatesWe are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and inspired by a culture of inclusivity to ...

Senior Gameplay Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$108K - $161K/yr

What we need: 31st Union is looking for a Senior Gameplay Engineer to develop our Player Bots - AI agents that stand in for human players in our AAA free-to-play, cross-platform action game. Using C ...

Senior Gameplay Engineer

OR · Remote

$150K - $180K/yr

For more information on how we process your personal information, please review the Privacy policy located at -privacy-notice. --- Skydance is looking for a Senior Gameplay AI Engineer skilled in ...

Senior Gameplay Engineer

OR · Remote

$150K - $180K/yr

For more information on how we process your personal information, please review the Privacy policy located at -privacy-notice. --- Skydance is looking for a Senior Gameplay AI Engineer skilled in ...

Senior Gameplay Engineer

OR · Remote

$150K - $180K/yr

For more information on how we process your personal information, please review the Privacy policy located at -privacy-notice. --- Skydance is looking for a Senior Gameplay AI Engineer skilled in ...

Senior Gameplay Engineer

OR · Remote

$150K - $180K/yr

For more information on how we process your personal information, please review the Privacy policy located at -privacy-notice. --- Skydance is looking for a Senior Gameplay AI Engineer skilled in ...

Senior Gameplay Engineer

OR · Remote

$150K - $180K/yr

For more information on how we process your personal information, please review the Privacy policy located at -privacy-notice. --- Skydance is looking for a Senior Gameplay AI Engineer skilled in ...

Senior Gameplay Engineer

OR · Remote

$150K - $180K/yr

For more information on how we process your personal information, please review the Privacy policy located at -privacy-notice. --- Skydance is looking for a Senior Gameplay AI Engineer skilled in ...

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Senior Gameplay Engineer information

See salary details

$59.5K

$126.6K

$183.5K

How much do senior gameplay engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior gameplay engineer in the United States is $126,557.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,500.00 and $143,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior gameplay engineer?

A Senior Gameplay Engineer is a highly experienced software developer who specializes in designing, implementing, and optimizing gameplay features for video games. They work closely with designers, artists, and other engineers to bring game mechanics and interactive elements to life. In addition to coding, they often mentor junior developers, help define technical standards, and troubleshoot complex gameplay issues. Their expertise ensures that the game is both fun and technically sound, contributing significantly to the overall player experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior gameplay engineer?

To thrive as a Senior Gameplay Engineer, you need advanced programming skills in C++ or C#, strong knowledge of game physics, AI, and a track record of shipped game titles. Familiarity with major game engines like Unreal Engine or Unity, as well as version control systems and debugging tools, is typically required. Creativity, strong problem-solving abilities, and effective collaboration set standout engineers apart in multidisciplinary team environments. These skills ensure the delivery of engaging, high-quality gameplay experiences and efficient development processes.

What are some typical challenges faced by senior gameplay engineers when collaborating with design and art teams?

Senior Gameplay Engineers often work closely with design and art teams to implement and refine game features. A common challenge is balancing creative vision with technical constraints, such as performance limitations or platform requirements. Effective communication is crucial, as engineers must translate design ideas into functional, optimized code while providing feedback on feasibility. Navigating these interdisciplinary collaborations requires flexibility, problem-solving skills, and the ability to advocate for both technical integrity and gameplay quality.

What is the difference between Senior Gameplay Engineer vs Gameplay Programmer?

AspectSenior Gameplay EngineerGameplay Programmer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related; extensive experienceBachelor's in Computer Science or related; some experience
Work EnvironmentDesigning and implementing complex gameplay features, mentoring junior staffWriting and debugging gameplay code, collaborating with designers
Industry UsageCommon in AAA and indie game studios, often with leadership responsibilitiesWidely used across game development teams, often as a mid-level role

The Senior Gameplay Engineer typically has more experience, leadership duties, and oversees complex gameplay systems, whereas the Gameplay Programmer focuses on coding and implementing gameplay features. Both roles require strong programming skills and industry knowledge, but the senior role involves mentorship and project oversight.

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What cities are hiring for Senior Gameplay Engineer jobs?

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Infographic showing various Senior Gameplay Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $126,557 per year, or $60.8 per hour.

Senior Gameplay Engineer

Echtra Games

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago


Job description

Job Summary:
Echtra Games is a small game studio in San Francisco with a team of veteran game developers. They are searching for a Senior Gameplay Engineer to help maintain Torchlight 3 and craft the future of the studio. The role involves collaborating with engineers, designers, and artists to create engaging gameplay systems and enhance the user experience.
Responsibilities:
• Understand the game design and make it a reality.
• Collaborate with other engineers, designers, and artists to craft a great user experience.
• Decide what’s needed and take the lead on building and polishing it.
Qualifications:
Required:
• You're comfortable working in C++
• You've built multiple gameplay systems before and have shipped them to users
• You're at home working on a large game engine
Preferred:
• Experience building RPG gameplay systems
• Experience working with Unreal Engine 4
• Experience shipping on a major console like XBox or PlayStation
• A love and passion for gaming
Company:
Echtra Games is a game studio comprised of seasoned developers who helped and shaped the world of action role-playing games. It is a sub-organization of Zynga. Founded in 2016, the company is headquartered in San Francisco, USA, with a team of 11-50 employees. The company is currently Early Stage.