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Video Game Programmer Jobs in British Columbia (NOW HIRING)

Next Level Games

Game Designer

Vancouver, BC · On-site

We've been passionate about video game development for 20 years now, shipping award-winning games ... You will work with directors, designers, engineers, and artists to deliver games that put smiles on ...

2K

Gameplay Design Director

Burnaby, BC · Hybrid

CA$153K - CA$229K/yr

You will partner closely with Engineers, Animators, Designers, and Producers to help lay the ... Video Game * Evaluate progress and game quality while partnering closely with Production to ...

2K

Senior Gameplay Animation Software Engineer

Burnaby, BC · On-site

CA$96K - CA$142K/yr

What We Need We are looking for a Senior Gameplay Engineer to contribute to the development of new ... A deep love for video games (not just ours!) and a passion for sports culture, tracking everything ...

Ravenwake Games

Java Engineer (Contract)

Vancouver, BC · On-site

CA$41 - CA$45/hr

Software Engineer Department : Platform Employee Type: Temp Location: Remote (within BC, Canada ... video game development and publishing. Backed by iconic franchises such as EverQuest ® ...

Next Level Games

Automation Engineer

Vancouver, BC · On-site

We've been passionate about video game development for 20 years now, shipping award-winning games ... As an Automation Engineer at NLG, you'll help improve how games are built, tested, and delivered.

Next Level Games

Tools Engineer

Vancouver, BC · On-site

We've been passionate about video game development for 20 years now, shipping award-winning games ... As an Engineer on the Tools Team, you will support our suite of in-house game-content creation ...

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All JobsVideo Game Programmer JobsVideo Game Programmer Jobs in British Columbia

Video Game Programmer information

See British Columbia salary details

$19.5K

$86.6K

$146K

How much do video game programmer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for video game programmer in British Columbia is $86,642.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,500.00 and $128,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a video game programmer?

Video game programmers are professionals who write the code that brings video games to life. They work closely with game designers, artists, and other team members to develop gameplay mechanics, graphics, artificial intelligence, and user interfaces. Their expertise in programming languages, such as C++ or C#, allows them to create the software backbone of a game. Video game programmers may specialize in areas like graphics, physics, networking, or tools development, depending on the needs of the project. They play a crucial role in turning creative ideas into functional and entertaining games.

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

To thrive as a Video Game Programmer, you need strong proficiency in programming languages such as C++, C#, or Java, a solid understanding of computer science fundamentals, and often a bachelor's degree in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, version control systems, and debugging tools is typically required. Creative problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills that set top programmers apart. These competencies ensure the development of high-quality, engaging games that perform well and deliver an excellent user experience.

What are some common challenges video game programmers face when working on large development teams?

Video game programmers on large development teams often encounter challenges such as coordinating code integration, managing version control conflicts, and ensuring consistent coding standards across the project. Effective communication is essential, as programmers must frequently collaborate with artists, designers, and audio engineers to implement features and troubleshoot issues. Adapting to changing project requirements and tight deadlines can also be demanding, but strong teamwork and agile development practices help teams stay on track.

What is the difference between Video Game Programmer vs Game Developer?

AspectVideo Game ProgrammerGame Developer
Primary RoleWriting code and implementing game featuresOverseeing entire game development process, including design and production
Skills & CertificationsProgramming languages (C++, C#), computer science degreesProject management, design skills, sometimes programming knowledge
Work EnvironmentGame studios, software companiesGame studios, independent teams, publishers
Industry UsageFocuses on coding and technical implementationBroader role including design, management, and coordination

While both roles are essential in game development, a Video Game Programmer primarily focuses on coding and technical implementation, whereas a Game Developer oversees the entire development process, including design and project management. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and employer expectations in the gaming industry.

How to get a job as a video game programmer?

To become a video game programmer, develop strong programming skills in languages like C++ or C#, build a portfolio of game projects, and gain experience with game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine. A bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field is often required, along with knowledge of graphics, physics, and AI programming. Internships and networking within the gaming industry can also improve job prospects.

Is a video game programmer a good career?

A video game programmer is a specialized software developer who designs and implements code for video games, often requiring skills in programming languages like C++ and knowledge of game engines such as Unity or Unreal. The career offers opportunities in the gaming industry, but it can involve long hours and competitive job markets; success often depends on technical skills, creativity, and experience. Overall, it can be a rewarding career for those passionate about gaming and programming, with potential for growth and specialization.

What are popular job titles related to Video Game Programmer jobs in British Columbia?

For Video Game Programmer jobs in British Columbia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Video Game Programmer jobs in British Columbia look for?

The top searched job categories for Video Game Programmer jobs in British Columbia are:

Video Game Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Video Game Programmer job openings in British Columbia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,642 per year, or $41.7 per hour.

Licensing & Partnership Activation Lead - Video Games - Fixed term

Keywords Studios

Vancouver, BC • Remote

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago

Keywords Studios rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

9th of 78 rated media

Job description

Since 1998, we've been on a mission to reshape how players interact with their favorite games, growing into a global team of over 12,000 professionals spread across 70+ studios in 26 countries.

We are always there to lend a hand to video games developers and publishers by offering four service lines: from Create, to Globalize, Media & Entertainment and finally - Engage - which is one of the fastest-growing Service Lines at Keywords Studios. Engage provides technical support, community management, and trust & safety services for a wide range of AAA and Indie studios in the gaming industry.

Currently we are looking for the Licensing & Partnership Operations Lead, responsible for the operational delivery of licensing and partnership initiatives for a global gaming client. Acting as the internal delivery lead, this role translates client requests into actionable workstreams, coordinates cross functional resources, delegates tasks, monitors execution, and ensures deliverables are completed on time and to quality standards. This position partners closely with internal production, community, social, and marketing teams to drive efficient execution while proactively managing priorities, risks, dependencies, and resource allocation. The role focuses on operational excellence and delivery oversight rather than external stakeholder or partner management.

The contract is expected to last 9-10 months, with potential for renewal. The salary for this role is up to 68,000 CAD p.a. (pro-rated).

Key Responsibilities:

People Leadership

Lead and coach a team of licensing and partnership specialists

Conduct regular 1:1 meetings, performance reviews, and scorecard evaluations

Monitor individual and team performance, addressing performance concerns and

recognizing achievements

Support onboarding, training, and resource planning.

Delivery & Operations

Own the operational delivery of licensing and partnership initiatives from intake

through completion.

Review incoming work requests and translate them into actionable tasks.

Delegate work across the team based on priorities, skill sets, and capacity.

Monitor project execution to ensure deliverables are completed on time and meet

quality standards.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience managing licensing and/or partnership programs, including coordinating cross functional initiatives, campaign execution, and partner deliverables.

Previous experience in a people leadership or management role with responsibility for coaching, performance management, workload planning, and team development.

Proven ability to lead teams in a fully remote work environment.

Experience assigning, prioritizing, and managing work across multiple concurrent projects.

Excellent organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, including Teams, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, SharePoint, and OneDrive.

Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify risks, remove blockers, and drive projects through completion

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in the video game or entertainment industry.

Experience working within a managed services, agency, or outsourced delivery environment.

Experience developing operational processes, documentation, and workflow improvements.

What Keywords Studios employees say

Workplace

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About Keywords Studios

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Whatever the scale of your project, whatever the time frame, whatever your location: Keywords is here for you, bringing our network of 13,000+ people and 70+ studios together to deliver the unified solutions you need. We offer everything necessary to ensure your project achieves its full potential and that strategic opportunities are turned into long-term growth. The games industry is complex and fast-moving. Working with Keywords allows you to remain lean and agile, and to remain focused on creating the world’s most immersive playing experiences. Our network of studios brings best-in-class experience, expertise, technology and capacity across the full development, release and player-support lifecycle.

Industry

Arts, entertainment, and recreation

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Burbank, CA, US

Social media

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