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Senior Gameplay Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Velan Studios

Gameplay Animator (Senior+/Lead)

Troy, NY · On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

You will be actively collaborating with artists, engineers and designers to develop amazing ... Senior Gameplay Animator Responsibilities * Help define and drive the game's animation style with ...

Velan Studios

Gameplay Animator (Senior+/Lead)

Troy, NY

$110K - $150K/yr

You will be actively collaborating with artists, engineers and designers to develop amazing ... Senior Gameplay Animator Responsibilities * Help define and drive the game's animation style with ...

Velan Studios

Gameplay Animator (Senior+/Lead)

Troy, NY · On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

You will be actively collaborating with artists, engineers and designers to develop amazing ... Senior Gameplay Animator Responsibilities * Help define and drive the game's animation style with ...

Epic Games

Senior AI Engineer

Cary, NC · On-site

$113.50K - $149.60K/yr

ENGINEERING - GAMES What We Do Unreal projects have been leading the pack of real-time ... As a Senior Gameplay AI Engineer, you'll play a critical role on a small, focused team. You'll own ...

A5 Labs

Senior Game Developer At A5 Labs, we are pioneers in creating exceptional AI-driven solutions that ... We are now seeking a Senior Data Engineer to design and implement cutting-edge data solutions ...

CD PROJEKT RED

Senior Gameplay Animator (Locomotion)

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$115.20K - $131.50K/yr

CD PROJEKT RED is looking for a Senior Gameplay Animator with a focus on locomotion to join our ... and Engineering. Your goal will be to ensure animation content and runtime systems deliver a ...

Stardock Corporation

Senior Game Developer

Plymouth, MI

$120K - $160K/yr

Stardock is currently seeking a talented Senior Game Developer. The ideal candidate is well versed ... Optimization, networking, UI/UX, AI, generative AI, physics, data management, graphics, gameplay ...

teamLFG

OR

As a Senior Game Engineer - Graphics on teamLFG, you will work closely with artists, designers and ... RESPONSIBILITIES Build and maintain production-quality gameplay systems, workflows, and tools in C ...

Stardock Corporation

Senior Game Developer

Plymouth, MI · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Stardock is currently seeking a talented Senior Game Developer. The ideal candidate is well versed ... Optimization, networking, UI/UX, AI, generative AI, physics, data management, graphics, gameplay ...

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All JobsSenior Gameplay Engineer Jobs

Senior Gameplay Engineer information

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$59.5K

$126.6K

$183.5K

How much do senior gameplay engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 30, 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Gameplay Engineer, and why are they important?

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 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 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 May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $126,557 per year, or $60.8 per hour.
Senior Software Engineer, Gameplay Systems & Animation - Unpublished R&D Product

Senior Software Engineer, Gameplay Systems & Animation - Unpublished R&D Product

Riot Games

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Riot engineers bring deep knowledge of specific technical areas but also value the opportunity to work in a variety of broader domains. As a Software Engineer, you'll also dive into projects that focus on team cohesiveness and cross-team objectives. You'll drive important features and provide other engineers with a clear illustration of extraordinary engineering.
As a Senior Software Engineer (Gameplay Systems & Animation ) on an unpublished R&D product, you will report to the Gameplay Engineering Lead, you'll help bring our characters to life through responsive, expressive, and high-quality animation systems. You'll work at the intersection of gameplay engineering and content creation - partnering closely with animators, designers, and technical artists to build scalable systems that power movement, locomotion, and moment-to-moment feel. This role collaborates with multiple groups within the gameplay team, contributing directly to the quality, polish, and performance of our core combat experience. The ideal candidate is passionate about player feel, thrives in cross-disciplinary collaboration, and takes pride in building robust systems that unlock content at scale.
Responsibilities:
  • Design, prototype, and implement robust, scalable gameplay and animation systems, evolving underlying systems to improve reuse, polish, maintainability, and performance.
  • Contribute to locomotion, movement feel, and animation-driven gameplay systems across multiple gameplay domains.
  • Partner closely with animators and technical artists to improve workflows, clarify handoff points, and enable efficient content production.
  • Identify technical risks in animation and gameplay systems and collaborate with technical leaders to implement sustainable architectural solutions.
  • Contribute to adjacent gameplay domains such as combat systems, camera, VFX integration, or other core gameplay systems as needed.
  • Mentor peers across disciplines by sharing insights on animation systems, gameplay feel, and technical problem-solving.
Required Qualifications:
  • 5+ years of professional experience in game development.
  • 3+ years of experience developing or supporting animation systems.
  • Strong C++ programming skills and solid computer science fundamentals.
  • Experience working with Unreal Engine, including its animation systems.
  • Experience implementing gameplay systems closely tied to animation
  • Strong debugging, optimization, and performance-tuning skills.
  • Experience collaborating effectively in cross-disciplinary teams, with strong product sense and player empathy.
Desired Qualifications:
  • Familiarity with Unreal Engine internals and extending or modifying engine animation systems.
  • Experience improving content pipelines and animation workflows.
  • Exposure to related domains such as gameplay VFX, camera systems, etc.
  • Experience working on mid-sized engineering teams in a live or in-development game environment.

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise and a collaborative spirit that prioritizes the delight of players. We will look at your past studies and experience, but for this role, we also look for dedicated people with a personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about players' experiences, this is the role for you!
Our Perks:
Riot focuses on work/life balance, shown by our open paid time off policy and other perks such as flexible work schedules. We offer medical, dental, and life insurance, parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and children, and a 401k with company match. Check out our benefits pages for more information.
At Riot Games, we put players first. That mission drives every decision in our quest to create games and experiences that make it better to be a player. Whether you're working directly on a new player-facing experience or you're supporting the company as a whole, everyone at Riot is part of our mission. And just like in our games, we're better when we work together. Our goal is to create collaborative teams where you are empowered to bring your unique perspective everyday. If that sounds like the kind of place you want to work, we're looking forward to your application.
It's our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and members of Riot Games, Inc. Riot Games makes reasonable accommodations for handicapped and disabled Rioters and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, handicap, veteran status, marital status, criminal history, or any other category protected by applicable federal and state law. We consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the Washington Fair Chance Act.
Per the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the following core duties may create a basis for disqualifying candidates with relevant criminal histories:
  • Safeguarding confidential and sensitive Company data
  • Communication with others, including Rioters and third parties such as vendors, and/or players, including minors
  • Accessing Company assets, secure digital systems, and networks
  • Ensuring a safe interactive environment for players and other Rioters

These duties are directly related to essential operations, safety, trust, and compliance obligations within our organization. Please note that job duties may evolve based on business needs and additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to maintain operational efficiency and security.
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About Riot Games

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Riot Games was founded in 2006 by Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill with the intent to change the way video games are made and supported for players. In 2009, Riot released its debut title League of Legends to worldwide acclaim. The game has since gone on to become the most played PC game in the world and a key driver of the explosive growth of esports. Players are the foundation of our community and it's for them we continue to evolve and improve the League of Legends experience.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2006

Social media

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