ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Senior Gameplay Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Skydance

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 ...

31st Union

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 ...

AGBO

Senior Gameplay Engineer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

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 ...

2K

Senior Gameplay Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site +1

$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 ...

Skydance

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 ...

Skydance

Senior Gameplay Engineer

Santa Monica, CA · 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 ...

teamLFG

Senior Gameplay Engineer - Gameplay Tools

OR · On-site +1

As a Senior Gameplay Engineer - Gameplay Tools on teamLFG, you'll help build the bridge between the engine and our content creators, empowering them to create the game in an online environment that ...

31st Union

Senior Gameplay Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site +1

$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 ...

1X

Senior Gameplay Engineer

San Carlos, CA

$280K/yr

... Senior) or 10+ years (Staff) developing gameplay systems, conversational AI, NPC behaviors, or system architecture.Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Game Development ...

New

1X

Senior Gameplay Engineer

San Carlos, CA

$280K/yr

... Senior) or 10+ years (Staff) developing gameplay systems, conversational AI, NPC behaviors, or system architecture.Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Game Development ...

New

Gunfire Games

Senior Gameplay Programmer

Austin, TX · On-site

$90K - $130K/yr

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 ...

AGBO

Principal Gameplay Engineer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

They are seeking a Principal Gameplay Engineer to work within their Interactive team, focusing on ... senior, mid-level, and junior engineers; conduct rigorous code reviews and elevate overall code ...

Netflix

Senior Software Engineer - Linux Specialist

$125K - $165K/yr

The Role Senior Gameplay Engineer The Senior Gameplay Engineer is responsible for the management, design, and implementation of game systems. You will provide technical mentorship and guidance for ...

1X

Gameplay Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$280K/yr

... gameplay engine systems, you'll find many of the same engineering challenges here--except the ... Minimum Requirements6+ years of professional experience (Senior) or 10+ years (Staff) developing ...

New

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsTechnology JobsGame JobsGame Developer JobsSenior Gameplay Engineer Jobs

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.

More about Senior Gameplay Engineer jobs

What cities are hiring for Senior Gameplay Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Senior Gameplay Engineer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Gameplay Engineer jobs?

The most popular types of Gameplay Engineer jobs are:

What states have the most Senior Gameplay Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Senior Gameplay Engineer jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Senior Gameplay Engineer jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Gameplay Engineer jobs are:

Senior Gameplay Engineer jobs near you
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

Skydance

OR • Remote

$150K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

Skydance Games, a division of Paramount, a Skydance Corporation, is building the future of franchise-driven interactive entertainment. As part of a global storytelling company defined by iconic worlds and multigenerational fandom, we see gaming not as an extension of our brands, but as one of the most powerful ways their stories come to life and evolve alongside the audiences who love them.
Through creativity, collaboration, and trust, we empower our teams to push boundaries and turn bold ideas into experiences that resonate with fans around the world.
Do you want to craft games that challenge expectations and inspire players? Come build something extraordinary with us.  
 
For more information on how we process your personal information, please review the Privacy policy located at https://privacy.paramount.com/recruitment-privacy-notice.
 
---
 
 

Skydance is looking for a Senior Gameplay AI Engineer skilled in working with creative teams to build key NPC gameplay features and frameworks. 

Currently for this role, we can hire remote candidates with legal residence in Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Texas, and Washington.

Responsibilities
  • Lead the design, architecture, and implementation of core gameplay AI systems
  • Drive technical direction for NPC gameplay systems and AI frameworks
  • Own large-scale AI features from concept through ship
  • Identify and resolve performance, scalability, and technical design challenges across gameplay systems.
  • Partner closely with Design, Animation, Audio, and Production to define and drive AI feature goals
  • Provide technical leadership and guidance across cross-functional gameplay initiative
  • Help establish engineering standards and improve team-wide AI development workflows
Requirements/Qualifications
  • 7+ years of professional gameplay/AI engineering experience
  • Proven experience owning large gameplay or AI systems in a production environment.
  • Experience architecting and implementing AI simulation systems and features from scratch using a combination of C++, Blueprints, and other tools.
  • In-depth knowledge of industry standard gameplay AI simulation systems, techniques and frameworks (e.g, Behavior Trees, FSMs, Utility AI)
  • Demonstrated collaboration with designers, artists, and audio developers to iterate on and refine key AI behaviors and system tunings.
  • Ability to take ownership of major systems, maintain development schedules, and drive major implementation tasks.
  • Extensive experience with Unreal Engine, using and understanding the different gameplay AI authoring tools, modifying and creating custom tech to extend the base engine feature sets.
  • Experience with animation techniques driving AI characters (e.g, Animation Blueprints, Montages, Control Rig, MotionMatching)
  • Self-motivated and self-directing, willing to pitch in areas of development beyond direct responsibilities.
  • A passionate eye towards delivering quality and highly-tuned game feel.
  • Experience mentoring and supporting other engineers through code reviews, technical guidance, and best practices – helping them stay on track and true to the overall vision of the game.
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • Strong problem-solving skills.
The annual salary range for this position in Los Angeles is $150,000 – $180,000. The salary offered may vary based on the candidate’s location, qualifications, experience and relevant expertise, among other factors.  The range indicated is for base salary only and does not reflect the total compensation package, including bonus, benefits, etc. 
 
We realize that skills and expertise can come from many different experiences and paths, and we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all of the requirements as written in the job description. 
 
#Games #LI-hybrid #Remote

Paramount, a Skydance Corporation is a diversified media company creating high quality, event-level entertainment for global audiences. The Company brings to life stories of immersive worlds across its feature film, television, interactive/games, and animation divisions.
 
 
Recruitment Fraud Alert
It has come to our attention that there may be fraudulent activity by individuals impersonating our Talent Acquisition team. Skydance will only contact you from an official “@skydance.com” email address. If you suspect that you are being contacted by an unauthorized person or believe that the correspondence you have received is suspicious, please do not click on any links or attachments in such emails and submit any questions or concerns to our information security team at https://skydance.com/report-suspected-fraud/.