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Technical Game Designer Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Autodesk

Maya Software Engineer

Portland, OR · On-site +1

$139K - $249K/yr

... TV, and Games. On the Autodesk Consulting Media and Entertainment Team, we have an exciting ... Develop high quality code, write functional tests, and collaborate on technical designs * Be a ...

Rave

Software Engineer (Python)

Portland, OR

Company Description If you have played the top 100 mobile games in the market, you probably used ... You get to work on challenging technical problems. We are building out core features of our product ...

Rave

Software Engineer (Python)

Portland, OR · On-site

Company Description If you have played the top 100 mobile games in the market, you probably used ... You get to work on challenging technical problems. We are building out core features of our product ...

Rave

Senior / Lead Backend Engineer

Portland, OR

Company Description If you have played the top 100 mobile games in the market, you probably used ... Ability to acquire new technical skills. Your past experiences can certainly help you at the start ...

Rave

Senior / Lead Backend Engineer

Portland, OR · On-site

Company Description If you have played the top 100 mobile games in the market, you probably used ... Ability to acquire new technical skills. Your past experiences can certainly help you at the start ...

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All JobsTechnical Game Designer JobsTechnical Game Designer Jobs in Portland, OR

Technical Game Designer information

See Portland, OR salary details

$37.6K

$85.1K

$133.6K

How much do technical game designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for technical game designer in Portland, OR is $85,121.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,900.00 and $97,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a technical game designer?

A Technical Game Designer bridges the gap between design and engineering, using scripting or programming to implement gameplay mechanics, systems, and features. They collaborate with designers, artists, and programmers to prototype ideas, optimize workflows, and solve technical challenges. Their role often involves working with game engines, creating tools, and ensuring that designs are both fun and technically feasible. This position requires both creative problem-solving and technical skills to bring game concepts to life efficiently.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a technical game designer?

A Technical Game Designer’s daily tasks often include prototyping new gameplay mechanics, creating or tweaking scripts to implement interactive elements, and working closely with both designers and engineers to refine features. They may also review and test game systems to ensure functionality and balance, as well as document their work for future iterations and team reference. Communication and collaboration with art, programming, and QA teams are regular parts of the workflow. This role offers a dynamic mix of creative design and technical problem-solving, making every day both challenging and rewarding.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the technical game designer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Technical Game Designer, you need a strong background in game design principles, scripting or programming (such as C#, C++, or visual scripting), and a solid understanding of game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, often supported by a degree in game design, computer science, or a related field. Proficiency with industry-standard tools for prototyping, version control systems (e.g., Git), and sometimes familiarity with middleware or content pipeline processes are typically required. Collaboration, creative problem-solving, and effective communication with interdisciplinary teams are crucial soft skills for this position. These abilities enable Technical Game Designers to effectively translate design concepts into playable experiences, ensure smooth cross-team workflows, and contribute to high-quality game development.

What are popular job titles related to Technical Game Designer jobs in Portland, OR?

For Technical Game Designer jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Technical Game Designer jobs in Portland, OR look for?

The top searched job categories for Technical Game Designer jobs in Portland, OR are:

Technical Game Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Technical Game Designer job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,121 per year, or $40.9 per hour.

Lead Footwear Designer, Basketball Signature Athlete

Nike

Beaverton, OR • On-site

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago

Nike rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 274 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 104 rated fashion retailers

Job description

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
As our Lead Footwear Designer for Nike Basketball Signature Athlete, you will lead the creation of industry-leading footwear bringing bold concepts to life. You will solve complex design challenges and create iconic products that inspire through both function and form.
Inspired by the signature athlete, you will help define a new visual language for Nike Basketball-one that expresses sport through style, performance, and modern design. This role requires both creative ambition and strategic focus, partnering across a global brand to build scalable design systems and advance creative innovation.
The ideal candidate is a visionary designer with exceptional taste, a refined aesthetic point of view, and an unwavering commitment to craft. They bring a sharp eye for detail, proportion, materiality, and execution, consistently delivering elevated design solutions. Through strong creative execution, they will develop compelling products that resonate emotionally with consumers both on and off the court.
With a deep understanding of cultural relevance, consumer insights, and emerging trends, this individual will continually challenge industry conventions and set a high standard for creativity, desirability, and aesthetic excellence.
  • Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience and training
  • At least 5-6 years' experience designing and developing innovative footwear and other products
  • Exceptional knowledge of design, art, and fashion, as well as passion for sport and youth culture
  • Knowledge of form, color, materials, human factors, related to elevating the consumer experience
  • Ability to translate consumer knowledge and insights into product solutions and narratives
  • Experience in technical footwear design - basketball design is a plus
  • Strong Photoshop, Illustrator skills
  • Must be able to build accurate 2D technical drawings (tech packs)
  • Cobbling and prototyping skills are a plus
  • 3D design programs experience is a plus
  • Strong sketching, illustration, and rendering skills
  • Solid knowledge of manufacturing processes and materials
  • Must be able to generate a broad range of concepts and solutions for each project
  • Experienced with presentation programs: Keynote, PowerPoint, Acrobat, etc.
  • Contribute and align to shared team culture and behaviors
  • Lead + drive partnerships beyond the Design function (Marketing, Engineering, Development, etc.)
  • Collaborator with a skill in connecting the dots
  • Speaks up with courage for self and the team
  • Open minded, good listener, receptive to candid feedback and diverse points of view
  • Being a hooper is not a requirement but being passionate and curious to learn about basketball and the athlete* is.

*If you have a body, you are an athlete
**TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS ROLE, PLEASE PROVIDE A FOOTWEAR DESIGN FOCUSED PORTFOLIO (PDF OR URL)
WHO YOU'LL WORK WITH
You will collaborate and mentor within the design community (concept designers, industrial designers, materials, color, graphics, computational, etc.), and work hand in hand with a large project team of different professionals (product managers, developers, researchers, marketing, costing, etc.). This role reports directly the Footwear Design Director, Nike Basketball Signature Athlete.
WHAT YOU'LL WORK ON
In Nike Basketball, you will work on designs that push the possibilities of the human potential through footwear (and beyond). We expect you to explore new opportunities, take risks, and change the game! In your day to day, you will engage with project teammates on researching, gaining insights, problem solving around performance and manufacturing, working with athletes, and crafting a vast range of creative and appealing solutions, that are also sustainable and considerate of cost. With each project, you are encouraged to also participate and present the work in informal and formal reviews.
We offer a number of accommodations to complete our interview process including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible and single location for in-person interviews, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed. If you discover, as you navigate our application process, that you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please complete the Candidate Accommodation Request Form.

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