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Video Game Software Engineer Jobs in Portland, OR

Rave

Software Engineer (Python)

Portland, OR · On-site

Company Description If you have played the top 100 mobile games in the market, you probably used ... While we sell to marketing and business teams, we are developers building for developers. Here are ...

Rave

Software Engineer (Python)

Portland, OR

Company Description If you have played the top 100 mobile games in the market, you probably used ... While we sell to marketing and business teams, we are developers building for developers. Here are ...

Nvidia

Senior VLSI CAD Software Engineer

Hillsboro, OR

$133K - $175K/yr

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than ... NVIDIA is seeking a talented Software Engineer to join our small team building custom, high-impact ...

Audacy, Inc.

Part Time Video/Audio Producer

Portland, OR · On-site

$16.30 - $22/hr

Programming Reporting To: Brand Manager Employment Type: Part Time Location(s): Portland, OR. Work ... at games, events, and community activations. * Identify compelling moments from shows and convert ...

Audacy, Inc.

Part Time Video/Audio Producer

Portland, OR

$16.30 - $22/hr

Programming Reporting To: Brand Manager Employment Type: Part Time Location(s): Portland, OR. Work ... at games, events, and community activations. * Identify compelling moments from shows and convert ...

Audacy, Inc.

Part Time Video/Audio Producer

Portland, OR

$16.30 - $22/hr

Programming Reporting To: Brand Manager Employment Type: Part Time Location(s): Portland, OR. Work ... at games, events, and community activations. * Identify compelling moments from shows and convert ...

Panasonic

MTS II, Software Developer - IaaS

Beaverton, OR · On-site

$38.46 - $64.42/hr

... movies, games, WiFi, and now Bluetooth headphone connectivity! How exciting would it be to be a ... We are seeking an MTS II - Software Developer (IaaS) to help build the foundational software that ...

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All JobsVideo Game Software Engineer JobsVideo Game Software Engineer Jobs in Portland, OR

Video Game Software Engineer information

See Portland, OR salary details

$11.7K

$159.1K

$184K

How much do video game software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for video game software engineer in Portland, OR is $159,097.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $110,300.00 and $183,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Video Game Software Engineers face when working on large-scale projects?

Video Game Software Engineers working on large-scale projects often encounter challenges such as managing complex codebases, ensuring optimal performance across different platforms, and integrating new features without introducing bugs. Collaboration with designers, artists, and QA testers is essential, which requires strong communication skills and adaptability. Additionally, tight deadlines and evolving project requirements can add pressure, making effective time management and problem-solving abilities crucial for success in this role.

What Does a Video Game Software Engineer Do?

As a video game software engineer, you program video games for a computer or console system. You collaborate with designers who create a concept and design the look and feel of the game, write code to create the characters and mechanics, and implement troubleshooting tools and processes to test for bugs before the game’s release. If necessary, you fix any issues in the code while sticking to project deadlines. You carry out your duties and responsibilities alongside a team of gaming designers, programmers, and project managers to help the project move smoothly from start to finish.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Video game software engineers can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially those in senior or lead roles at major companies, or with significant experience and specialized skills such as graphics programming or AI development. High earnings often involve bonuses, stock options, or profit sharing in addition to base salary.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Video Game Software Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Video Game Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills (typically in C++, C#, or Python), a solid grasp of computer science fundamentals, and a relevant degree such as computer science or software engineering. Experience with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, version control systems (e.g., Git), and possibly certifications in game development tools are highly beneficial. Creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities are essential soft skills that help engineers adapt to rapidly changing design requirements and work effectively in multidisciplinary teams. Mastering these skills ensures efficient development cycles, high-quality gaming experiences, and successful teamwork in a competitive industry.

What is the difference between Video Game Software Engineer vs Game Developer?

AspectVideo Game Software EngineerGame Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science or related field; programming skillsBachelor's in Computer Science, Game Design, or related; programming and design skills
Work EnvironmentGame studios, tech companies, independent projectsGame studios, freelance, indie development
Employer & Industry UsageUsed interchangeably in industry; focuses on software developmentBroader term; includes design, storytelling, and programming

While both roles involve programming and work within the gaming industry, a Video Game Software Engineer primarily focuses on coding, system architecture, and technical implementation. A Game Developer often encompasses a broader scope, including game design, storytelling, and project management. The roles overlap significantly, but the engineer is more technically specialized in software development.

What does a Video Game Software Engineer do?

A Video Game Software Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining the software that powers video games. They write code to implement game mechanics, graphics, artificial intelligence, and user interfaces. These engineers collaborate closely with game designers, artists, and other team members to ensure the game runs smoothly and provides a great user experience. Their work often involves problem-solving, optimizing code for performance, and debugging issues throughout the game development process.

Can a software engineer work on video games?

A software engineer can work on video games by developing game engines, gameplay features, or tools using programming languages like C++ or C#. They often collaborate with designers and artists and may need knowledge of graphics APIs, game development frameworks, and debugging tools. Many game studios seek engineers with experience in real-time systems and performance optimization.

Will game dev be replaced by AI?

Video game software engineers design and develop games using programming languages and tools, and AI can assist in automating certain tasks like testing or asset generation. However, creative problem-solving, storytelling, and complex decision-making remain human-driven aspects of game development that AI cannot fully replace.

How much does a video game software engineer make?

The average salary for a video game software engineer varies by experience and location but typically ranges from $70,000 to $120,000 annually. Entry-level engineers may earn less, while experienced developers with specialized skills or working on popular titles can earn higher salaries, often supplemented with bonuses and benefits.
More about Video Game Software Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Video Game Software Engineer jobs in Portland, OR? The most popular types of Video Game Software Engineer jobs in Portland, OR are:
What are popular job titles related to Video Game Software Engineer jobs in Portland, OR? For Video Game Software Engineer jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Video Game Software Engineer jobs in Portland, OR look for? The top searched job categories for Video Game Software Engineer jobs in Portland, OR are:
Video Game Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Video Game Software Engineer job openings in Portland, OR as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $159,097 per year, or $76.5 per hour.
Distinguished Software Engineer - NVLink Fusion Software

Distinguished Software Engineer - NVLink Fusion Software

Nvidia

Hillsboro, OR

Full-time

Posted 29 days ago

Nvidia rating

9.3

Company rating: 9.3 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

15th of 209 rated software companies

Job description

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It's a unique legacy of innovation that's fueled by great technology-and amazing people. Today, we're tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what's never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world's best talent. As an NVIDIAN, you'll be immersed in a diverse, supportive environment where everyone is inspired to do their best work.

NVIDIA has a rapidly expanding ecosystem of data center platform & node designs. From single node HGX/DGX systems all the way up to large multi-node NVLink domain rack architectures. These designs have become core to NVIDIA's rapidly growing enterprise and cloud provider businesses. Each bringing together the full power of NVIDIA GPUs, NVIDIA NVLink, NVIDIA InfiniBand networking, NVIDIA Grace CPUs, and a fully optimized NVIDIA AI and HPC software stack. NVIDIA NVLink Fusion will enable industry-leading AI scale-up and scale-out performance with NVIDIA technology plus semi-custom ASICs or CPUs. NVIDIA's robust partner ecosystem enables hyperscalers to build an ASIC hybrid AI infrastructure with NVIDIA NVLink, rack-scale architecture. We're searching for a highly motived, technical architect to champion work across NVIDIA's Software, Architecture, Networking and Systems engineering teams in defining the architecture for NVLink Fusion. Ensuring we have seamless integration of partner ASICs/CPUs into our rack-scale architecture. Establishing the necessary abstraction layers, guidance/documentation and SW engagement models to make both NVIDIA & its partners successful.

What you'll be doing:

  • Define NVLink Fusion architecture, leveraging industry leading NVIDIA scale-up and scale out technologies as a foundation

  • Establish appropriate software abstraction layers & reference software required for NVLink Fusion partners to extend NVIDIA's rack-scale architecture.

  • Work directly with major customers to understand their requirements and work to align their roadmap with NVIDIA's roadmap.

  • Work with business partners and vendors to shape their products to meet NVIDIA's needs.

  • Mentor architects and engineering teams to grow them into future leaders.

  • Make key technical decisions even when faced with ambiguity, and mitigate execution risks by following left shift strategy to accelerate time to market.

What we need to see:

  • BS or MS degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related degree or equivalent experience.

  • 16+ years in the area of System architecture and design

  • Deep experience in designing architecture for scalable and performant server systems, particularly at the SW/HW interface.

  • Previous experience working with complex system software for accelerators such as GPUs, DPUs, or FPGAs

  • Expertise in out-of-band and in-band management architectures.

  • Knowledge of device management protocols such as MCTP, PLDM and RDE.

  • Knowledge of system management protocols such as Redfish and IPMI.

  • Demonstrable experience in implementing left shift strategy to de-risk program execution. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Ways to stand out from the crowd:

  • Knowledge of cloud and cluster level deployment and management systems.

  • Participation and contributions in standards bodies such as OCP and DMTF.

  • Familiarity with CXL, UCIE and other C2C technology architectures. Knowledge in storage and networking technologies.

We are widely considered to be one of the technology world's most desirable employers, and as a result have some of the most forward-thinking and hardworking people in the world working for us. So if you're clever, creative, and driven, we'd love to have you join the team.

Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 320,000 USD - 488,750 USD.

You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until July 13, 2026.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.

NVIDIA is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.

What Nvidia employees say

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

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About Nvidia

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It's a unique legacy of innovation that's fueled by great technology--and amazing people. Today, we're tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what's never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world's best talent.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US

Year founded

1993

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