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Trading Card Game Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CHRONO & COSMO

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Associate TCG Fulfillment Specialist

Fontana, CA · On-site

$16.90 - $25.90/hr

Position overview We are a trading card game retailer based in Fontana, California, seeking one qualified individual to join our team. This role is responsible for the full operational lifecycle of ...

New

Super Products Inc.

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Trading Card Designer and Graphic Design

Torrance, CA · On-site

$4.0K/mo

Designing trading cards, inserts, parallels, and special card types for Keepsake Trading Cards ... series explore gaming, sports, and niche entertainment themes. At Super Products Inc ...

CHRONO & COSMO

Be Seen First

Associate TCG Fulfillment Specialist

Fontana, CA · On-site

$16.90 - $25.90/hr

Position overview We are a trading card game retailer based in Fontana, California, seeking one qualified individual to join our team. This role is responsible for the full operational lifecycle of ...

New

Mittera Group

Trading Card Mechanic

Arlington, TX · On-site

The Trading Card Mechanic is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, and ... design, data analytics, direct mail processing, and fulfillment services. Mittera's full-service ...

Mittera

Trading Card Mechanic

Arlington, TX · On-site

$22.50 - $28.75/hr

The Trading Card Mechanic is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, and ... design, data analytics, direct mail processing, and fulfillment services. Mittera's full-service ...

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All JobsTrading Card Game Design Jobs

Trading Card Game Design information

See salary details

$79.5K

$130.8K

$196K

How much do trading card game design jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for trading card game design in the United States is $130,762.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,000.00 and $150,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Trading Card Game Design vs Board Game Design?

AspectTrading Card Game DesignBoard Game Design
CredentialsDesign experience, knowledge of card mechanics, game theoryGame mechanics, prototyping, user experience
Work EnvironmentDigital and physical card development, collaboration with artists and publishersPhysical prototypes, playtesting, manufacturing coordination
Industry UsageCollectible card games, gaming publishers, hobby storesTabletop gaming, toy companies, hobby markets

Trading Card Game Design and Board Game Design share overlapping skills like game mechanics and prototyping, but differ mainly in their focus on card-based versus physical board experiences. While both roles involve creativity and playtesting, TCG designers often work more with digital assets and collectible elements, whereas board game designers focus on physical components and player interaction. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path within the gaming industry.

What is trading card game design?

Trading card game design is the process of creating the rules, mechanics, cards, and overall structure of a collectible or trading card game (TCG). Designers develop the gameplay experience, balancing strategy, randomness, and player interaction. They also work on themes, artwork, and expansions to keep the game engaging and fresh. Successful trading card game design requires creativity, playtesting, and a deep understanding of what makes games fun and replayable.

What are some common challenges faced by trading card game designers during the playtesting phase?

Trading card game designers often encounter challenges in balancing the gameplay and ensuring that no single card or strategy dominates the game. Playtesting requires designers to collect and analyze feedback from a diverse group of players, which can reveal unforeseen interactions or exploits. Additionally, designers must iterate quickly and thoughtfully, adjusting card mechanics and rules while maintaining the overall vision of the game. Collaboration with artists, developers, and marketing teams is also crucial to align the game's mechanics with its thematic and commercial goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Trading Card Game Designer, and why are they important?

A Trading Card Game Designer needs strong game design principles, mathematical and probability skills, and a creative understanding of gameplay balance, often supported by a background in game design or related fields. Familiarity with digital prototyping tools, playtesting platforms, and knowledge of industry-standard design software is highly beneficial. Excellent communication, collaboration, and iterative problem-solving abilities set top designers apart in this role. These skills are crucial for creating engaging, balanced, and commercially successful card games that appeal to diverse player communities.
More about Trading Card Game Design jobs
What cities are hiring for Trading Card Game Design jobs? Cities with the most Trading Card Game Design job openings:
What states have the most Trading Card Game Design jobs? States with the most job openings for Trading Card Game Design jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Trading Card Game Design jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Trading Card Game Design jobs are:
Trading Card Game Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Trading Card Game Design job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $130,762 per year, or $62.9 per hour.

Sr Manager, Creative - TCG

Fanatics Collectibles

Seattle, WA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

About Us
Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges, college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000 employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience and delighting sports fans globally.
About the Company
Fanatics Collectibles is a new company operating at the intersection of collectibles, culture, and technology. Backed by world-class investors, operators, and sports & entertainment partners, we are building the global leader in next-generation collectibles. As part of the broader Fanatics ecosystem, we leverage a digital sports platform that spans over 900 sports properties and engages more than 81 million fans. Together, we are reimagining every part of the collectibles experience for fans, partners, and creators.
About the Team
Fanatics TCG is a new Seattle-based trading card game studio within the Fanatics Collectibles family, founded by industry veterans with a long-term mandate: to build enduring franchises that live across tabletop, digital, community, and culture. We're looking for the most skilled and passionate talent in the games industry and beyond to help us create the best trading card games in the world.
Who We're Looking For
We're seeking a Sr Manager, Creative with high emotional intelligence, a deep understanding of creative people and process, and a genuine passion for building teams that do the best work of their careers. In this role, you'll be responsible for the growth, engagement, and day-to-day success of a team of art directors and concept artists - guiding them toward excellence while keeping ambitious production schedules on track. While working closely with the Creative Director and reporting into studio leadership, you'll help shape the culture, workflow, and output of Fanatic TCG's art team.
Responsibilities
  • Manage day-to-day operations of the creative team, including scheduling, workload distribution, and resource planning across active projects
  • Directly manage a team of art directors and concept artists - running 1:1s, supporting career development, and ensuring every team member has what they need to do their best work
  • Collaborate with the Creative Director and product leadership to align on creative vision, translating it into actionable briefs, clear timelines, and well-scoped deliverables
  • Partner with the Director of Card Production to build and support the art production pipeline, from brief through final delivery
  • Standardize the way your team works with external freelancers and art vendors, managing contracts, deadlines, and proactively identifying and resolving bottlenecks
  • Maintain team tools, asset management systems, and production workflows, continuously improving efficiency and consistency
  • Act as a liaison between the creative team and cross-functional partners in game design, product, and marketing
Qualifications & Experience
  • 8+ years of experience in a creative production, art management, or studio management role within games or a related creative industry
  • Proven experience managing creatives, with a track record of developing talent and maintaining a healthy team culture
  • Deep familiarity with art production pipelines, including asset management, review processes, and handoff to downstream teams
  • Experience coordinating with external freelancers and creative vendors across multiple concurrent projects
  • Background in or strong familiarity with the trading card, tabletop games, or collectibles space is a plus
  • Experience working in an early-stage or fast-moving studio environment is highly valued
Skills & Abilities
  • High EQ and strong interpersonal skills with a natural ability to build trust, resolve conflict, and keep teams motivated through the pressures of production
  • Excellent organizational and project management skills: able to track many moving parts simultaneously without dropping the ball
  • Clear, direct communicator who can translate between creative and operational contexts with ease
  • Solid creative sensibility: enough taste and context to give meaningful feedback and flag quality issues, even when not the final decision-maker
  • Proficiency with project management tools and asset management systems
  • Highly adaptable and calm under pressure, with the ability to re-prioritize quickly as needs evolve
Location
All employees of Fanatics TCG are expected to be onsite in our Seattle office five days per week.
Ensure your Fanatics job offer is legitimate and don't fall victim to fraud. Fanatics never seeks payment from job applicants. Feel free to ask your recruiter for a phone call or other type of communication for interview, and ensure your communication is coming from a Fanatics email address (including @collectfanatics.com). For added security, where possible, apply through our company website at www.fanaticsinc.com/careers
The salary range represents base pay only and does not include short-term or long-term incentive compensation. This salary range is specific to Seattle and may not be applicable to other locations. When determining base pay, as part of a final compensation package, we consider several factors such as location, experience, qualifications, and training. For information about our benefits, please visit https://benefitsatfanatics.com/
Seattle Salary Range
$138,000-$172,500 USD
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