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Video Game Level Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Level Designer (Senior+)

Troy, NY ยท On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

We make games for people who appreciate craft and a little bit of magic. If you're curious, you'll be in good company. Are you a level designer with experience creating procedural environments? Have ...

Deep knowledge of game design principles, game mechanics, level design, narrative design, user ... Guides students through designing game mechanics documents, building levels in game engines ...

Video Game Design Tutor

Minneapolis, MN ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of game design principles, game mechanics, level design, narrative design, user ... Guides students through designing game mechanics documents, building levels in game engines ...

Deep knowledge of game design principles, game mechanics, level design, narrative design, user ... Guides students through designing game mechanics documents, building levels in game engines ...

Video Game Design Tutor

NM ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of game design principles, game mechanics, level design, narrative design, user ... Guides students through designing game mechanics documents, building levels in game engines ...

Video Game Design Tutor

Indianapolis, IN ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of game design principles, game mechanics, level design, narrative design, user ... Guides students through designing game mechanics documents, building levels in game engines ...

Video Game Design Tutor

Matthews, NC ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of game design principles, game mechanics, level design, narrative design, user ... Guides students through designing game mechanics documents, building levels in game engines ...

Video Game Design Tutor

Paramus, NJ ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of game design principles, game mechanics, level design, narrative design, user ... Guides students through designing game mechanics documents, building levels in game engines ...

Video Game Design Tutor

Kingsport, TN ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of game design principles, game mechanics, level design, narrative design, user ... Guides students through designing game mechanics documents, building levels in game engines ...

Video Game Design Tutor

Glendale, AZ ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of game design principles, game mechanics, level design, narrative design, user ... Guides students through designing game mechanics documents, building levels in game engines ...

Video Game Design Tutor

Fayetteville, AR ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of game design principles, game mechanics, level design, narrative design, user ... Guides students through designing game mechanics documents, building levels in game engines ...

Video Game Design Tutor

Edina, MN ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of game design principles, game mechanics, level design, narrative design, user ... Guides students through designing game mechanics documents, building levels in game engines ...

Video Game Design Tutor

Salem, VA ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of game design principles, game mechanics, level design, narrative design, user ... Guides students through designing game mechanics documents, building levels in game engines ...

Deep knowledge of game design principles, game mechanics, level design, narrative design, user ... Guides students through designing game mechanics documents, building levels in game engines ...

Senior Level Designer

Raleigh, NC ยท On-site

$99K - $106K/yr

... Prime Video's visceral thriller The Bluff and the global Citadel franchise. Citadel Season 2 ... You will design and build gameplay spaces, including test maps and sandbox environments, that ...

Video Game Design Tutor

Tampa, FL ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of game design principles, game mechanics, level design, narrative design, user ... Guides students through designing game mechanics documents, building levels in game engines ...

Video Game Design Tutor

Leesburg, VA ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of game design principles, game mechanics, level design, narrative design, user ... Guides students through designing game mechanics documents, building levels in game engines ...

Video Game Design Tutor

Tempe, AZ ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of game design principles, game mechanics, level design, narrative design, user ... Guides students through designing game mechanics documents, building levels in game engines ...

Video Game Design Tutor

SD ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of game design principles, game mechanics, level design, narrative design, user ... Guides students through designing game mechanics documents, building levels in game engines ...

Video Game Design Tutor

Boston, MA ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of game design principles, game mechanics, level design, narrative design, user ... Guides students through designing game mechanics documents, building levels in game engines ...

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Video Game Level Designer information

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How much do video game level designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for video game level designer in the United States is $18.56, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.83 and $20.19 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a video game level designer do?

Video game level designers use development software to build specific sections within a video game. In this role, you focus on one aspect or progression of the game, determining what steps a player needs to take to progress to the next level. The nature of a level depends on the game; it can be as simple as selecting and developing challenges for the player to overcome or as complicated as a dense, objective-filled map. This is a highly-collaborative position; video game level designers often work with asset creators and producers to design levels that match the intended concept and play environment.

What does a video game level designer do?

A video game level designer is responsible for creating the environments, stages, and challenges that players experience within a game. They work closely with artists, programmers, and writers to craft engaging gameplay, ensuring that levels are both visually appealing and fun to play. Level designers use specialized software to build layouts, place objects, and script events, all while considering pacing, difficulty, and storytelling. Their goal is to guide players through the game in a way that is immersive and rewarding.

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

To thrive as a Video Game Level Designer, you need strong spatial design abilities, knowledge of game mechanics, and often a degree in game design or a related field. Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as Unity, Unreal Engine, and level editing software, as well as familiarity with scripting languages, is typically required. Creativity, problem-solving, and effective communication are standout soft skills for collaborating with artists, programmers, and other designers. These skills are crucial for creating engaging, balanced, and technically feasible game environments that enhance player experience.

How does a video game level designer typically collaborate with other departments during the development process?

Video Game Level Designers work closely with artists, programmers, and writers to bring a cohesive vision to each level. They frequently participate in cross-functional meetings to ensure that gameplay, visuals, and narrative are well integrated. It's common for designers to iterate on their levels based on feedback from QA testers or gameplay engineers, requiring strong communication and adaptability. Collaboration is essential, as level designers must balance creative ideas with technical constraints and project timelines.

What is the difference between Video Game Level Designer vs Video Game Environment Artist?

AspectVideo Game Level DesignerVideo Game Environment Artist
Primary FocusDesigning gameplay spaces, level layout, and player flowCreating visual assets and environments for levels
Skills & ToolsLevel design software, game engines, scripting3D modeling, texturing, art software
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with designers, programmers, artistsWorks mainly with art teams, using creative software
Industry UsageUsed in game development to craft playable levelsUsed to produce visual environment assets for levels

While both roles contribute to the game's environment, the Video Game Level Designer focuses on designing the gameplay experience within levels, whereas the Video Game Environment Artist creates the visual elements that bring those levels to life. Both roles often collaborate closely to ensure a cohesive and engaging player experience.

What cities are hiring for Video Game Level Designer jobs?

Cities with the most Video Game Level Designer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Video Game Level Designer jobs?

The most popular types of Video Game Level Designer jobs are:

What states have the most Video Game Level Designer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Video Game Level Designer jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Video Game Level Designer jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Video Game Level Designer jobs are:

Infographic showing various Video Game Level Designer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,600 per year, or $18.6 per hour.

Level Designer (Senior+)

Velan Studios

Troy, NY โ€ข On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago


Job description

From dodgeball in the streets to racetracks in your living room, we've always been more interested in asking "what if?" than following a roadmap. Whether we're dreaming up a chaotic game of hide & seek in the dark or putting a legendary space fox back in the pilot's seat, that inventor's mindset runs through everything we do. We make games for people who appreciate craft and a little bit of magic. If you're curious, you'll be in good company.
Are you a level designer with experience creating procedural environments? Have you worked with terrain tools to create organic exteriors or random dungeon generators to make sprawling dynamic layouts? If creating randomized levels for a new ARPG based on a premiere fantasy IP sounds like your dream job, we'd like to talk to you!
Velan Studios is entering pre-production on this forthcoming title and we are looking for a seasoned Level Designer who can drive critical early-stage design decisions and then lead the implementation of compelling level designs throughout the project.
Responsibilities
  • Own the design of the procedural dungeon system in collaboration with gameplay and tools engineers
  • Collaborate with environment artists to create modular room pieces, corridors and static layouts that will come together dynamically to create replayable environments
  • Define and maintain procedural parameters for length, complexity, spawn-composition, etc. for gameplay environments in the game to achieve engaging challenge and pacing
  • Help define and implement unique gameplay mechanics that fit different biomes
  • Create and maintain simple scripts for doors, traps and spawn entrances.
  • Work closely with the Game Director and other Lead Designers to shape and implement compelling level and mission content.

Requirements
  • 5+ years of design experience
  • At least one shipped title as a level designer
  • Experience with procedural level generation
  • A knack for visual storytelling
  • Familiarity with tool-use and basic scripting in any major game-engine such as Unity, Unreal or equivalent

Big Plusses
  • Experience in isometric ARPG level design
  • Experience creating dynamic exteriors in survival or exploration-based games
  • Experience seamlessly blending hand-made and procedural scenes
  • Familiarity with any major 3-d art creation tool such as 3d Studio Max, Maya or Blender
  • Experience in a lead or sub-lead role on a mid- or large-size development project.

This is a hybrid or onsite position. Hybrid is 3 days a week in studio. Our studios are located in Troy, NY & Toronto, ON.
The salary for this position is typically within the range specified below per year. Please note that the actual base pay may vary based on factors such as your qualifications, skills, experience, and other relevant considerations.
US Salary Range:
Senior $80,000.-$120,000. USD
Specialist $100,000.-$150,000. USD
Canada Salary Range:
Senior $75,000. - $115,000. CAD
Specialist $95,000.-$145,000. CAD
Velan Studios is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about a role, but your experience doesn't align perfectly, we encourage you to submit a General Application. Velan Studios is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion, diversity, and providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. We seek to create a work culture that matches the diversity of our players.