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Summer Game Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The 2028 Games mark the return of the Summer Games to the U.S. for the first time in 32 years and Los Angeles' third time hosting an Olympic Games and first time welcoming the Paralympic Games. This ...

Part-time teaching positions are available throughout the academic year, including summer sessions ... The Master of Science degree in Game Programming is designed for those interested in game ...

Senior Staff Gameplay Engineer

Bellevue, WA · Remote

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Collaborate closely with game designers to prototype, iterate, and refine gameplay mechanics ... KOMODO Special Holidays ( 5-business day Summer holiday, 7 business Winter holiday, 1-day Birthday ...

Senior Staff Gameplay Engineer

Bellevue, WA · On-site +1

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Collaborate closely with game designers to prototype, iterate, and refine gameplay mechanics ... KOMODO Special Holidays ( 5-business day Summer holiday, 7 business Winter holiday, 1-day Birthday ...

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Summer Game Designer information

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$47K

$156K

How much do summer game designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for summer game designer in the United States is $149,118.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $155,000.00 and $155,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Summer Game Designer vs Game Developer?

AspectSummer Game DesignerGame Developer
Required CredentialsTypically a background in game design, art, or related fields; often students or internsComputer science or programming degrees; coding skills often required
Work EnvironmentCreative teams, design studios, or internship programs during summerDevelopment teams, coding environments, software studios
Industry UsageUsed mainly for internships, summer programs, or entry-level design rolesFull-time development roles, including coding and software engineering

The Summer Game Designer focuses on designing game concepts, levels, and mechanics during summer programs or internships, emphasizing creativity and design skills. In contrast, a Game Developer typically involves coding, programming, and building the actual game software. While both roles are essential in game creation, the Summer Game Designer is more design-oriented, often as an entry point for students, whereas the Game Developer is more technical and programming-focused.

Is there a high demand for summer game designers?

Summer game designers are in moderate demand, especially during peak development seasons when companies seek temporary or project-based roles. Skills in game engines like Unity or Unreal, along with a strong portfolio, can improve job prospects, but overall demand varies based on industry trends and project needs.

What are some common challenges faced by summer game designers when working on short-term projects?

Summer Game Designers often encounter tight deadlines and rapidly changing project scopes, as many positions are tied to internships or seasonal roles. Adapting quickly to new teams and workflows is essential, since you'll typically collaborate with artists, programmers, and other designers who may have established processes. Additionally, balancing creativity with practical constraints—such as limited resources or existing game engines—can be challenging. However, these experiences can significantly enhance your ability to work efficiently and communicate effectively in fast-paced environments.

Is it hard to find a job in summer game design?

Finding a summer game design job can be competitive, as many students and entry-level designers seek seasonal positions. Success often depends on a strong portfolio, relevant skills in game engines like Unity or Unreal, and networking within the industry. Opportunities may be limited and require proactive application and demonstrating creativity and technical ability.

What does a summer game designer do?

A Summer Game Designer creates and develops concepts, mechanics, and levels for video games during a summer internship or seasonal position. They often work with a team to brainstorm ideas, prototype gameplay features, and refine user experiences based on feedback. This role is ideal for students or aspiring designers looking to gain hands-on experience in the gaming industry. Tasks may include designing game levels, writing documentation, and testing gameplay elements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a summer game designer?

To thrive as a Summer Game Designer, you need a solid grasp of game design principles, creativity, and often some formal education or coursework in game development or related fields. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as Unity or Unreal Engine, and basic programming or scripting knowledge, are typically required. Strong collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills help you contribute effectively to team projects and adapt ideas quickly. These skills and qualities are essential for creating engaging, playable games within the short timeframe of a summer program or internship.

What cities are hiring for Summer Game Designer jobs?

Cities with the most Summer Game Designer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Game Designer jobs?

The most popular types of Game Designer jobs are:

What states have the most Summer Game Designer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Summer Game Designer jobs include:

Infographic showing various Summer Game Designer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 30% Full Time, 59% Part Time, 8% Contract, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $149,118 per year, or $71.7 per hour.

Gameplay Designer | North America | Canada | Europe | Fully Remote

Escape Velocity Entertainment Inc

Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago


Job description

What we are looking for:
Are you a gameplay designer with a passion for making games? Escape Velocity is looking for a Game Designer with strong scripting skills. You will be in charge of creating and implementing gameplay mechanics across the game, ensuring they are balanced and fun to play.
Requirements
What we will do together:
  • Develop and oversee multiplayer match mechanics and features.
  • Work alongside other designers, artists, animators, and engineers to document, then implement these features in engine.
  • Use our visual scripting tools to create complex and dynamic gameplay.
  • Refine your implementation through playtest feedback and live data.
  • Collaborate closely with leads and directors to channel the game the vision through your designs.

What you will bring:
  • 3+ years of experience working on a multiplayer and/or live service game.
  • At least one shipped AAA title.
  • Expert knowledge of game scripting and expertise with Unreal Engine (UE5 preferred).
  • Vector math skills.
  • A passion for competitive gaming, with professional understanding of current multiplayer action games.
  • Strong creative and technical problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent communication skills.

Benefits
Interested... a bit about Escape Velocity:
Escape Velocity is a team of passionate, talented developers working at a studio that offers excellent benefits, on what we believe is a once-in-a-career project with a committed publisher. But that doesn't necessarily make us unique. What does make us special? We value the time, energy, and talent of our players and our colleagues. We want every hour spent developing and playing our games to be an incredibly rewarding and worthwhile use of your time. To that end, we are 'Fully Remote' and support team members nearly anywhere in the world. We prioritize honesty, even when that means sharing bad news. We strive to give everyone autonomy so they can determine how best to work and play, and we care more about what you bring to the game and studio than how many hours you're clocking. We're dedicated to building a culture of play, which not only makes us better game makers, but also strengthens the bonds between us all. We believe in constant improvement across all areas - from the game itself to our production design - and are constantly re-evaluating how we spend our time to ensure that we're not wasting yours and we're all always working on the most important things.
A few benefits you can expect from us:
  • A generous PTO allowance
  • Summer and Winter holidays studio closure (separate to PTO allowance)
  • Private Medical & Dental Healthcare
  • Private Mental Health scheme
  • A generous annual Health & Wellbeing allowance
  • Discretionary Studio Bonus
  • Top range tech for your home set up
  • Other benefits based on your region

How to apply:
Click apply and complete an application along with a Resume / CV. If we would like to move forward with your application, a member of the Recruiting Team will reach out to you and guide you through our process.
Escape Velocity is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring, promoting, and compensating employees based on their qualifications and demonstrated ability to perform job responsibilities.
Applications will be considered regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, belief, race, or any other protected category.