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Senior Gameplay Programmer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

OR · On-site

$122K - $161K/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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Senior Game Developer At A5 Labs, we are pioneers in creating exceptional AI-driven solutions that redefine industry standards. Our innovative approaches empower users and businesses worldwide. We ...

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 ...

Senior AI Engineer

Cary, NC · On-site

$113K - $149K/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 ...

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 ...

$120K - $150K/yr

Senior Software Engineer Job Summary ... Level Ex Games (Powered by Relevate Health) is a fast-growing game studio that creates video games ...

... gameplay, math, platform, and regulatory features in an Agile integration environment. • Assist game engineers to test each iteration of feature implementation. • Provide technical support and ...

Description As a Senior Gaming Platform Engineer on the Apple Games Frameworks team, you will own and evolve the critical infrastructure that connects game developers to the full capabilities of ...

OR · On-site

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 ...

Lead Gameplay Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

$147K - $343K/yr

Experience performing in a senior or principal software engineering role or equivalent * Ability to collaborate with other engineers, designers, artists and other game developers * Ability to work ...

Lead Gameplay Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

$147K - $343K/yr

Experience performing in a senior or principal software engineering role or equivalent * Ability to collaborate with other engineers, designers, artists and other game developers * Ability to work ...

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Senior Gameplay Programmer information

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How much do senior gameplay programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior gameplay programmer in the United States is $52.28, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43.99 and $62.50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Senior Gameplay Programmer typically collaborate with other departments during game development?

As a Senior Gameplay Programmer, you'll frequently work with designers, artists, and QA testers to bring gameplay features to life. Your role involves translating design concepts into functional game mechanics, debugging issues, and ensuring smooth integration with art and audio assets. Regular meetings and agile workflows are common, allowing you to provide technical input early in the feature design process and iterate quickly based on feedback. Strong communication skills are essential, as you'll often act as a bridge between creative and technical teams to ensure the game's vision is realized efficiently.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Gameplay Programmer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Gameplay Programmer, you need advanced programming skills (typically in C++ or C#), a deep understanding of game mechanics, and several years of experience in game development. Familiarity with industry-standard game engines like Unreal Engine or Unity, version control systems, and sometimes a degree in computer science or related fields are commonly expected. Strong problem-solving abilities, creativity, and effective communication are vital soft skills for collaborating with designers and artists. These skills and qualities are essential for delivering high-quality, engaging gameplay experiences and leading technical innovation within a game development team.

What are Senior Gameplay Programmers?

Senior Gameplay Programmers are experienced software developers who focus on creating and implementing the interactive elements of video games, such as controls, mechanics, and player interactions. They collaborate closely with designers, artists, and other programmers to bring the game's vision to life, ensuring a smooth and engaging player experience. In addition to programming, they often mentor junior staff, participate in code reviews, and help shape the technical direction of the game. Their expertise is crucial in solving complex technical challenges and optimizing gameplay systems for performance and fun.
More about Senior Gameplay Programmer jobs
What cities are hiring for Senior Gameplay Programmer jobs? Cities with the most Senior Gameplay Programmer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Gameplay Programmer jobs? The most popular types of Gameplay Programmer jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Gameplay Programmer jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Gameplay Programmer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Senior Gameplay Programmer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Gameplay Programmer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Senior Gameplay Programmer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% Locum Tenens, 58% As Needed, 23% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 10% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,736 per year, or $52.3 per hour.
Senior Software Engineer - Linux Specialist

Senior Software Engineer - Linux Specialist

Netflix

OR • On-site

$122K - $161K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 hours ago


Netflix rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

57th of 65 rated media


Job description

Netflix is one of the world's leading entertainment services with 278 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, films and games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can play, pause and resume watching as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, and can change their plans at any time.

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 junior engineers, focusing on Linux-based environments.
Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

  • Work on key gameplay and engine features independently or in a supervisory capacity over a small, cross-disciplinary team.
  • Collaborate with Principal/Director level engineers to define technical specifications for large systems.
  • Support project Lead. In their absence, fill in as needed for project meetings. Disseminate information and updates as appropriate and necessary.
  • Partner with other engineers to develop tools and processes that improve efficiency and quality.
  • Develop and update feature documentation, maintain a shared library of tech, and process documentation.
  • Independently design and implement key systems and gameplay features.
  • Demonstrate expertise/ownership in at least one major area of the codebase.
  • Mentor, motivate, and inspire other engineers.
  • Help guide or lead cross-disciplinary dialogs to drive features from initial concept to completion.
  • Exemplify reliability, accountability, and professionalism in all work-related interactions.
  • Partner with principal/director-level engineers to drive coding standards and best practices for the department and project team.
  • Design, implement, and manage Linux-based systems and infrastructure.
  • Optimize and troubleshoot Linux systems for performance and reliability.
  • Ensure security best practices are followed for Linux systems.
  • Serve as a liaison between Art and Engineering to efficiently facilitate art integration.
  • Coordinate with game teams to ensure consistent standards and production methodologies across the studio.
  • Work alongside the existing game team and code base to bring Netflix Stories to Linux platforms.
  • Resolve any issues that arise with existing systems when running on Linux.

Skills and Abilities:

  • Advanced programming skills within the relevant development environment(s).
  • Ability to objectively evaluate code as part of a formal review process and effectively communicate opportunities for improved performance, resilience, and stability.
  • Ability to coordinate and build effective partnerships within the engineering team and other development verticals.
  • Demonstrated fundamentals of leadership, including clear and proactive communication and coordination, meeting moderation, and oversight of small cross-disciplinary initiatives.
  • Able to manage multiple, competing tasks and be self-directed to meet deadlines in a quickly evolving environment.
  • Positive attitude and ability to receive and provide objective and constructive feedback.
  • Excellent organization skills.
  • Advanced knowledge and experience with Linux operating systems and environments.
  • Proficiency in Linux shell scripting and command-line tools.
  • Experience with Linux-based application development, deployment, and maintenance.
  • Familiarity with containerization technologies like Docker and orchestration tools like Kubernetes.

Education and Experience:

  • Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, or related degree, or equivalent work experience.
  • 8 years experience in delivering production-level code in a professional environment.
  • Experience shipping multiple successful game products into the marketplace.
  • Experience supporting a live service.
  • iOS and Android mobile development experience.
  • Real-time strategy and Unity 3D game development experience.
  • Thorough understanding of the software development life cycle, and practices.
  • Experience with Jira, Confluence, or other defect-tracking software.
  • Extensive experience with Linux operating systems in a professional environment.
  • Previous experience in Linux system administration or engineering.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
Our core hours are 10:00 am to 6:00 pm CST, which means you should be available for meetings etc. during this time frame.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job duties.


Our compensation structure consists solely of an annual salary; we do not have bonuses. You choose each year how much of your compensation you want in salary versus stock options. To determine your personal top of market compensation, we rely on market indicators and consider your specific job family, background, skills, and experience to determine your compensation in the market range. The range for this role is $100,000-$600,000.


Netflix provides comprehensive benefits including Health Plans, Mental Health support, a 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer match, Stock Option Program, Disability Programs, Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts, Family-forming benefits, and Life and Serious Injury Benefits. We also offer paid leave of absence programs. Full-time hourly employees accrue 35 days annually for paid time off to be used for vacation, holidays, and sick paid time off. Full-time salaried employees are immediately entitled to flexible time off. See more detail about our Benefits here.


Netflix is a unique culture and environment. Learn more here.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and celebrate diversity, recognizing that diversity of thought and background builds stronger teams. We approach diversity and inclusion seriously and thoughtfully. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service.

Job is open for no less than 7 days and will be removed when the position is filled.


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About Netflix

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with 222 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries, feature films and mobile games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

Industry

Arts, entertainment, and recreation

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Gatos, CA, US

Year founded

1997