1

Unreal Programmer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

You should bring strong technical depth in both Unity and Unreal , experience guiding teams through ... Lead and mentor engineers across active co-development and game development projects * Act as a ...

Lead Gameplay Programmer

Alpharetta, GA · On-site

$125K - $139K/yr

As an independent developer and publisher, Templar develops the games that we want, on our own ... The ideal candidate has deep Unreal Engine experience, a love of great gameplay, and a passion for ...

$133K - $175K/yr

Our team is seeking an experienced Unreal Engine C++ Software Engineer to develop and deploy the technology at scale. YOUR ROLE In this role, you will: * Work as part of a small development team in a ...

ENGINEERING - GAMES What We Do Unreal projects have been leading the pack of real-time entertainment with our constantly growing team of engineering experts. We're always improving on the tools and ...

You have extensive Unreal Engine experience, preferably in a Core Tech or Systems Programming capacity. Your generalist programming skills and previous experience in C++ will allow you to contribute ...

Senior Engine Programmer

Novato, CA · On-site

$108K - $161K/yr

You have extensive Unreal Engine experience, preferably in a Core Tech or Systems Programming capacity. Your generalist programming skills and previous experience in C++ will allow you to contribute ...

Senior Engine Programmer

Novato, CA · On-site

$108K - $161K/yr

You have extensive Unreal Engine experience, preferably in a Core Tech or Systems Programming capacity. Your generalist programming skills and previous experience in C++ will allow you to contribute ...

Senior Animation Programmer

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$118K - $217K/yr

The Senior Animation Programmer is responsible for the implementation of CDPR-specific extensions ... Developing bespoke animation systems and extensions for Unreal 5 animation systems to support ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Unreal Programmer information

See salary details

$12

$39

$68

How much do unreal programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for unreal programmer in the United States is $39.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.72 and $51.44 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges Unreal Programmers face when working on large-scale game projects?

Unreal Programmers often encounter challenges related to optimizing performance and managing complex codebases, especially in large-scale game projects. Ensuring smooth gameplay across platforms requires deep knowledge of Unreal Engine's systems and best practices for memory and CPU/GPU usage. Collaboration with designers, artists, and other engineers is essential to integrate features efficiently and maintain stability. Effective communication and problem-solving skills are key to navigating these challenges and delivering high-quality results.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Unreal Programmer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Unreal Programmer, you need strong proficiency in C++ programming, a solid grasp of computer science fundamentals, and experience with Unreal Engine’s architecture and workflows. Familiarity with source control systems, debugging tools, and Unreal Engine certifications are often required, along with expertise in Blueprints and asset integration. Excellent problem-solving skills, collaboration, and adaptability help you work efficiently with designers and artists to deliver high-quality interactive experiences. These skills ensure you can build efficient, scalable game systems and effectively contribute to complex development projects.

What are Unreal Programmers?

Unreal Programmers are software developers who specialize in using Unreal Engine, a widely-used game development platform, to design, develop, and optimize interactive experiences, primarily video games. They write code, often in C++, to implement gameplay mechanics, user interfaces, artificial intelligence, and other systems within Unreal Engine. Unreal Programmers collaborate closely with designers, artists, and other team members to bring creative visions to life and ensure smooth, efficient performance. Their work may also include debugging, optimizing code, and integrating third-party tools or plugins. Strong knowledge of Unreal Engine’s architecture and best programming practices is essential for this role.

What is the difference between Unreal Programmer vs Game Developer?

AspectUnreal ProgrammerGame Developer
Required SkillsProficiency in Unreal Engine, C++, Blueprint scriptingVaries; may include programming, design, art, and project management
Work EnvironmentGame studios using Unreal Engine, often in tech-heavy rolesBroader; includes indie, AAA, mobile, and various platforms
CertificationsUnreal Engine certifications, programming credentialsNone specific; varies by specialization
Industry UsagePrimarily in companies developing with Unreal EngineAcross all game development companies and platforms

While Unreal Programmers focus on developing and optimizing games using Unreal Engine, Game Developers have a broader role that can include design, scripting, and project management across various engines and platforms. Unreal Programmers typically possess specialized skills in Unreal Engine and C++, whereas Game Developers may have diverse skill sets depending on their focus area.

More about Unreal Programmer jobs
What states have the most Unreal Programmer jobs? States with the most job openings for Unreal Programmer jobs include:
Staff Software Engineer - Game Tech Group, Unreal Ecosystem

Staff Software Engineer - Game Tech Group, Unreal Ecosystem

Riot Games

Los Angeles, CA • On-site, Remote

Other

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

Riot engineers bring deep knowledge of specific technical areas but also value the opportunity to work in a variety of broader domains. As a Software Engineer, you'll also dive into projects that focus on team cohesiveness and cross-team objectives. 

The UnEco (or Unreal Ecosystem) team has an impact on a wide array of topics, including gameplay features, runtime performance, tooling, CI/CD, just to name a few. As a Software Engineer III on the UnEco team, you'll gain organizational alignment by building a strong engineering vision and offering creative solutions to technical problems. They also serve as mentors for engineers, guiding their performance and finding growth opportunities delivering compelling player experiences.

Responsibilities:
  • Be hands-on in development, writing excellent code that sets a high standard for other engineers.
  • Drive the ideation and process of setting technical direction within the Unreal Ecosystem, including advising leadership on prioritization of work efforts and buy/build decisions for major system components.
  • Lead the technical execution of multi-month to year-plus work efforts across the business unit, holding teams to established standards.
  • Help teams navigate ambiguity and complexity by breaking down problems, identifying risks, and clearly communicating trade-offs.
  • Work on a range of tech stacks including underlying infrastructure, build and test automation, release pipelines, and developer tooling for internal teams leveraging the Riot Unreal Ecosystem.
  • Work with stakeholders across the organization to address their pain points and exceed their expectations for what continuous delivery game development can be.
  • Be a standard-bearer and role model of Riot values for your team and others.
  • Be a force multiplier for your team. Mentor senior engineers on your team and enable them to deliver complex projects.
Required Qualifications:
  • 5+ years of software engineering experience
  • Expertise with C++
  • Experience with mobile development
  • Experience working with modern video game engines
  • Experience working with large game teams
  • Experience working with large code bases
  • Experience debugging, profiling and optimizing complex projects
  • Strong knowledge of common game and software design patterns
  • Experience collaborating with teammates across multiple disciplines
Desired Qualifications:
  • Experience with Unreal Engine
  • Experience building online games
  • Experience with console development

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise, a collaborative spirit, and decision-making that prioritizes the delight of players. We will be looking at your past studies, experience, and your personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about players' experiences, this could be your role!

Our Perks:

Riot focuses on work/life balance, shown by our open paid time off policy and other perks such as flexible work schedules. We offer medical, dental, and life insurance, parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and children, and a 401k with company match. Check out our benefits pages for more information.

At Riot Games, we put players first. That mission drives every decision in our quest to create games and experiences that make it better to be a player. Whether you're working directly on a new player-facing experience or you're supporting the company as a whole, everyone at Riot is part of our mission. And just like in our games, we're better when we work together. Our goal is to create collaborative teams where you are empowered to bring your unique perspective everyday. If that sounds like the kind of place you want to work, we're looking forward to your application.

It's our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and members of Riot Games, Inc. Riot Games makes reasonable accommodations for handicapped and disabled Rioters and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, handicap, veteran status, marital status, criminal history, or any other category protected by applicable federal and state law. We consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the Washington Fair Chance Act.

Per the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the following core duties may create a basis for disqualifying candidates with relevant criminal histories:

  • Safeguarding confidential and sensitive Company data
  • Communication with others, including Rioters and third parties such as vendors, and/or players, including minors
  • Accessing Company assets, secure digital systems, and networks
  • Ensuring a safe interactive environment for players and other Rioters

These duties are directly related to essential operations, safety, trust, and compliance obligations within our organization. Please note that job duties may evolve based on business needs and additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to maintain operational efficiency and security. 


Riot Games logo

About Riot Games

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Riot Games was founded in 2006 by Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill with the intent to change the way video games are made and supported for players. In 2009, Riot released its debut title League of Legends to worldwide acclaim. The game has since gone on to become the most played PC game in the world and a key driver of the explosive growth of esports. Players are the foundation of our community and it's for them we continue to evolve and improve the League of Legends experience.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2006

Social media