1

Total War Jobs (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

Total War information

See salary details

$12

$27

$55

How much do total war jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for total war in the United States is $27.04, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.03 and $31.97 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Total War game developer?

Total War game developers are professionals who design, program, and produce the Total War series of strategy video games. These developers work at Creative Assembly, the studio behind the franchise, and are responsible for creating immersive gameplay that blends turn-based strategy with real-time tactics. Their roles can include game design, programming, art, and quality assurance, ensuring each game delivers a complex and engaging experience. Total War developers often collaborate closely to bring historical and fictional conflicts to life for players around the world.

What are some common challenges faced by a game designer working on a Total War title, and how can these be addressed?

Game designers on a Total War project often face the challenge of balancing historical accuracy with engaging gameplay. They must collaborate closely with historians, artists, and programmers to ensure that new mechanics are both authentic and fun. Another key challenge is optimizing large-scale battles for performance across a range of hardware. Open communication, iterative prototyping, and regular playtesting with cross-functional teams help address these issues and ensure a cohesive player experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a game designer for Total War, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Game Designer for Total War, you need strong skills in game mechanics design, systems balancing, and historical research, often supported by a degree in game design or a related field. Familiarity with game engines (such as Unity or Unreal), scripting languages, and design documentation tools is typically required. Creativity, collaboration, and attention to detail are crucial soft skills for developing engaging gameplay and working within multidisciplinary teams. These skills ensure the creation of complex, historically authentic, and enjoyable strategy games that meet player expectations.

What is the difference between Total War vs Game Designer?

AspectTotal WarGame Designer
Primary RoleDevelops and manages large-scale strategy games, focusing on game mechanics, design, and overall game developmentCreates game concepts, mechanics, storylines, and user experience for various types of games
Required SkillsGame design, project management, knowledge of game engines, strategic thinkingCreativity, storytelling, programming, understanding of game mechanics
Work EnvironmentGame studios, development teams, often collaborative and deadline-drivenDesign studios, independent or corporate teams, creative and iterative process

While Total War focuses on developing large-scale strategy games with complex mechanics, Game Designers work across various game genres, creating concepts and mechanics. Total War professionals often have skills in strategy game design and project management, whereas Game Designers require broader creative and technical skills. Both roles are essential in game development but differ in scope and focus.

More about Total War jobs
Infographic showing various Total War job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,250 per year, or $27 per hour.

Lead System Integrator- Department of War

QinetiQ US

Chantilly, VA โ€ข On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

Company Overview

We are a world-class team of professionals who deliver next generation technology and products in robotic and autonomous platforms, ground, soldier, and maritime systems in 50+ locations world-wide. Much of our work contributes to innovative research in the fields of sensor science, signal processing, data fusion, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and augmented reality (AR).

QinetiQ US's dedicated experts in defense, aerospace, security, and related fields all work together to explore new ways of protecting the American Warfighter, Security Forces, and Allies. Being a part of QinetiQ US means being central to the safety and security of the world around us. Partnering with our customers, we help save lives; reduce risks to society; and maintain the global infrastructure on which we all depend.

Why Join QinetiQ US?

If you have the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges, then you will experience a unique working environment where innovative teams blend different perspectives, disciplines, and technologies to discover new ways of solving complex problems. ย In our diverse and inclusive environment, you can be authentic, feel valued, be respected, and realize your full potential. QinetiQ US will support you with workplace flexibility, a commitment to the health and well-being of you and your family and provide opportunities to work with a purpose. We are committed to supporting your success in both your professional and personal lives.

Position Overview

QinetiQ US is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer to provide technical and programmatic support to a Department of War client located in Chantilly, VA.ย  The highly motivated candidate will provide leadership and guidance through knowledge, experience, and their ability to effectively provide model base system engineering support to a Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation programs.ย 

Ideal candidates will serve as the lead system engineer within a mission engineering and modeling and simulation team supporting the Office of the Chief Engineer where they will be responsible for advising and assisting Program Managers & SETAs on the development, design and implementationย of complex RDT&E projects across multiple domains (Air, Land, Space & Cyber).ย  The Engineer will be responsible for ensuring mission engineering and systems engineering best practices are being utilized across the entire portfolio or projects.ย ย 

Responsibilities will also include coordinating with stakeholders across the Department of War including Under Secretary of War (Research & engineering), CAPE, Joint Service Branches (AF, Army, USMC, Navy etc.) and DARPA. ย Requires strong systems engineering principles, project management and ability to conduct cross-disciplinary collaboration across an entire portfolio of RDT&E projects.ย 

Responsibilities
  • Candidate will be responsibleย for ensuring mission engineering and system engineering best practices are being utilizedย across the entire organization
  • Responsible for making recommendations to Program Managers and SETAs and developing, designing and configuring systems in support of complex projects.ย 
  • Participate in program reviews and concept review boards and provide model based engineering support to government program managers on novelย conceptsย 
  • Develop and validate simulation models utilizing tools such as AFSIM, CAMEO and/or other Modeling and Simulation toolsย 
  • Collaborate with engineers, SETAs and government program managers to align simulations with real-world scenarios, CONOPs and TTPsย 
  • Coordinateย with external stakeholders across the Department of War including USW R&E, CAPE, The Joint Services and DARPA.ย 
  • Assist with developing processes, products and training materials to ensure that existing and new projects are utilizing systems engineering and mission engineeringย as appropriateย 
  • Review key documents including Project Execution Plans and provide feedback as appropriateย ย 
Required Qualifications
  • 15 years of total experience, with 10+ years of practical systems engineering experience specifically within M&Sย 
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics or similar fieldย 
  • Previous experience using AFSIM and CAMEOย 
  • TS/SCI clearance; #qinetiqclearedjob
  • 10-20% CONUS and OCONUS travel may be required
Preferred Qualifications
  • DAWIA Systems Engineering Certificationย 
  • DAWIA Project Management Certification
  • Model Based Engineering Certificatesย 
  • Masters or advanced degree in engineering, math, physics or similar fieldย ย 
Pay Transparency

The salary range for this role is $150,000- $200,000 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. QinetiQ US considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

Company EEO Statement

Accessibility/Accommodation:

If because of a medical condition or disability you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to staffing@us.QinetiQ.com or call (540) 658-2720 Opt. 1 and let us know the nature of your request and contact information.

QinetiQ US is an Equal Opportunity employer. All Qualified Applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.

Employment Type: OTHER