ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Trainee Game Narrative Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Squanch Games

Design Manager

$140K - $200K/yr

We're Squanch Games! Squanch Games has been around since 2016, and since then we've released ... and narrative designers alike - aligned, unblocked, and shipping great work, while balancing ...

Absurd Ventures

World Builder

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

We are seeking an experienced Level Designer - World Builder for our large-scale open world AAA ... Create and design layouts that support and focus on gameplay, narrative, and intended art direction ...

Integrity Lab

AI Narrative Producer

Cambridge, MA · On-site

... narrative game designers, documentary and short-form creators, generative AI filmmakers, and creative technologists. What success looks like Training that employees remember because the situations ...

New

Naughty Dog

Senior Technical Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$145K - $181K/yr

Prototyping, implementing, and owning gameplay scenarios, narrative sequences, interactive objects ... Working with minimal supervision while keeping lead designers and directors well-informed. What ...

Absurd Ventures

World Builder

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

We are seeking an experienced Level Designer - World Builder for our large-scale open world AAA ... Create and design layouts that support and focus on gameplay, narrative, and intended art direction ...

Absurd Ventures

Mission Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$100K - $115K/yr

Summary We are seeking a Mission Designer to create highly memorable missions that combine best-in ... Strong understanding of storytelling and narrative design. Plus If... * Experience building game ...

previous page

Showing results 41-60

All JobsGame Narrative Designer JobsTrainee Game Narrative Designer Jobs

Trainee Game Narrative Designer information

See salary details

$14

$36

$61

How much do trainee game narrative designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for trainee game narrative designer in the United States is $36.10, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $29.57 and $38.70 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What types of projects and collaboration can a trainee game narrative designer expect during their first year on the job?

As a Trainee Game Narrative Designer, you will typically work on smaller narrative tasks, such as writing dialogue, creating character backstories, and assisting with quest or mission design. You can expect to collaborate closely with senior narrative designers, game writers, and other departments like art and game design to ensure consistency and coherence in the story elements. Early on, you may also contribute to brainstorming sessions and playtesting, receiving feedback to refine your work. This collaborative environment helps you build essential skills and prepares you for more complex narrative responsibilities as you advance.

What is the difference between Trainee Game Narrative Designer vs Junior Game Writer?

AspectTrainee Game Narrative DesignerJunior Game Writer
Required CredentialsBasic understanding of storytelling, some related education or courseworkSimilar; often a degree in creative writing, game design, or related field
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, learning-focused, collaborative with design and development teamsEntry to mid-level, producing narrative content under supervision
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in game studios for training roles, internships, or apprenticeshipsCommonly employed in game companies for narrative content creation

The main difference is that a Trainee Game Narrative Designer is an entry-level position focused on learning and developing skills, often within a training or internship program. A Junior Game Writer is a more experienced role responsible for creating and editing narrative content, with some independence. Both roles require storytelling skills and familiarity with game development, but the Trainee position emphasizes learning and growth.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a trainee game narrative designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Trainee Game Narrative Designer, you need strong storytelling abilities, a grasp of narrative structure, and often a degree in creative writing, game design, or a related field. Familiarity with interactive storytelling tools like Twine, Ink, or game engines such as Unity and Unreal Engine is typically required. Collaboration, open-mindedness, and clear communication help you work effectively within multidisciplinary teams and incorporate feedback. These skills ensure compelling, cohesive narratives that enhance player engagement and contribute to a game's overall success.

What is a trainee game narrative designer?

A Trainee Game Narrative Designer is an entry-level professional who works on creating the story, dialogue, and narrative structure for video games under the supervision of experienced designers. They help shape the game's world, characters, and plot, ensuring that the storytelling aligns with gameplay and engages players. This role often involves writing scripts, collaborating with other developers, and learning industry tools and conventions. It's a starting point for those passionate about storytelling and games, offering hands-on experience in narrative design.
More about Trainee Game Narrative Designer jobs
What cities are hiring for Trainee Game Narrative Designer jobs? Cities with the most Trainee Game Narrative Designer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Game Narrative Designer jobs? The most popular types of Game Narrative Designer jobs are:
What states have the most Trainee Game Narrative Designer jobs? States with the most job openings for Trainee Game Narrative Designer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Trainee Game Narrative Designer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Trainee Game Narrative Designer jobs are:
Trainee Game Narrative Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Trainee Game Narrative Designer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 74% In-person, and 26% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $75,084 per year, or $36.1 per hour.

Design Manager

Squanch Games

Remote

$140K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

We're Squanch Games!
Squanch Games has been around since 2016, and since then we've released several laugh-out-loud interactive experiences that have captured the hearts and minds of debaucherous gamers the world over.
If you've ended up on this site, then perhaps you consider yourself a little "Squanchy." One who is "Squanchy" has the courage to plunder the depths of madness for joy in its most pure and irreverent essence. Some say it's a curse. Others, a blessing. In our humble opinion, to be "Squanchy" is to truly LIVE.
Design Department: Design Manager
As a Design Manager at Squanch Games, you help hold the design team together through great interpersonal skills and good high-level design mentorship. Every day, you'll keep a multidisciplinary design team; systems, level, content and narrative designers alike - aligned, unblocked, and shipping great work, while balancing production realities with creative ambition. You'll be the go-to for coaching designers at every level. But you know that already! You've successfully done this role at another studio, and now you're looking for a role with more autonomy, more direct influence on studio design philosophy, and a seat at the table to make changes happen.
What You'll Do:
  • Own the day-to-day of a mixed-discipline design team spanning systems, level, content and narrative design - setting priorities, unblocking work, and keeping everyone rowing in the same direction.
  • Report directly to our President/COO, acting as the connective tissue between the design team and studio leadership - translating creative vision into a design team growth and mentorship plan that unifies people & product.
  • Be a leader and coach who cares about people and how they work, interact and grow. Spots and supports people ready for more responsibility and those that need more support in their growth. Knows how to handle a spectrum of experience. Promotes a culture of creativity, quality, accountability and collaboration.
  • Work directly with studio leadership and other department heads to help manage the team. Are proactive in keeping the team aligned to the vision.
  • Empower the team to deliver quality through coaching, critique and support.
  • Be a lover of all things GAME DESIGN. Cares about the past, present, and future of game design across genres, systems, and mechanics. Draws inspiration and ideas from differing genres, games, styles and methods. Can spot quality design work and debate why it is (or is not) great.
  • Come up with, pitch and implement creative solutions to overcome problems you identify independently or with your peers. An amazing communicator who can provide structure in ambiguity.
  • Support on an individual contributor level when necessary to help a project reach its goals. We are a small team that takes pride in wearing multiple hats to help our games be successful.

What We're Looking For:
  • Formerly held a title such as Lead Designer, Senior/Principal Designer, or Design Manager, with 1-2 shipped titles as a designer or design manager. (We care about what you've shipped, not how many years you've been doing it)
  • Working knowledge of tools across the design pipeline - Unreal Engine (Blueprints and/or other engine scripting languages, LUA, C# etc.), design/documentation tools, and project tracking software (Jira, Trello, Click-up, Notion etc. or similar).
  • A designer with Lead experience, or a Senior/Principal designer who's ready to move into a leadership role.
  • Has a deep understanding of game design principals, pipelines, cross-discipline collaboration (design/art/production), and processes.
  • Comfortable managing a mixed-discipline team - systems, level, content and narrative designers alike - without needing to be the deepest expert in every discipline.
  • Strong ability to estimate tasks for planning purposes with production, by soliciting team members and/or doing a rough pass on their own.
  • Excellent communicator, equally comfortable briefing executive leadership and running a critique with the design team.

Benefits:
  • Salary range: $140k to $200k depending on experience
  • Health, dental & vision insurance for the employee and their dependent(s) (if applicable)
  • Short term & long term disability insurance coverage
  • Paid parental leave
  • 401k and FSA
  • Flexible PTO & schedule
  • Completely remote studio
  • Stipend to ensure a comfortable work-from-home setup
  • Monthly snack box shipped to your home
  • Monthly stipend for WFH expenses

Location:
We are a fully remote studio operating from all over the United States! While we haven't hit all 50, we encourage applicants from across the country to apply and help us complete our map.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
Squanch Games provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, creed, marital status, registered partner or civil union status, disability status, medical condition, genetic information, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
The pay range for this role is:
140,000 - 200,000 USD per year (Remote)

Apply