5 templates by role and engine for indie studios and game companies: general, junior, senior, mobile free-to-play, and Unity/Unreal specialist, with the FLSA exempt-status, IP/NDA, and portfolio guidance the generic templates skip. Download as DOCX.
A game developer is the engineer who writes the code that makes a game run: gameplay, systems, and features built in an engine like Unity or Unreal, taken from prototype to release. For an indie studio, the developer is often one of the first hires, and the posting is usually written by the founder or a producer, not a recruiter. The job description you write sets the scope, requires the right portfolio, and becomes the basis for the offer and onboarding once you hire.
These five templates cover the role across seniority and specialization: general, junior, senior or lead, mobile free-to-play, and a Unity or Unreal engine specialist. Each is ready to use, with the FLSA exempt-status, IP and NDA, and portfolio guidance the generic templates skip. Developer and designer are different roles, so if you are hiring for gameplay and design rather than engineering, the video game designer job description templates cover that, and the guide to writing a job description covers the fundamentals.
TL;DR
A game developer is an engineer who writes the code that makes a game run, usually in Unity (C#) or Unreal (C++). It is distinct from a game designer, who shapes gameplay and systems. The role is typically exempt and salaried under the computer employee exemption, with no overtime. The closest federal occupation, software developers, reports a median of $133,080 a year. Most studios hiring are indie teams under ten people. Download five templates as DOCX, by role and engine, with FLSA and IP guidance built in.
What a Game Developer Does (and Developer vs Designer)
A game developer writes and maintains the code that makes a game work: gameplay features, systems, and mechanics, built in a game engine and optimized to run well on the target platforms. They integrate art and audio, debug and profile, and collaborate with designers and artists to ship the game. The focus is engineering: how the game is built and how it runs.
This is different from a game designer, who shapes what the game is, its gameplay, systems, levels, and player experience, often without writing production code. In short, the developer builds it and the designer decides how it plays. The two collaborate closely and sometimes overlap at small studios, but they are distinct roles with distinct job descriptions. The federal occupation that best captures developers is software developers, since the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track game developers separately.
Game Developer Duties and Responsibilities
Game developer duties cluster into four areas: code and features, performance and quality, engine and tools, and collaboration. A strong job description picks the specific responsibilities from each area that match your game and engine, rather than listing every possible task.
Code and features
Write gameplay and systems code
Implement features from design specs
Integrate art, audio, and assets
Performance and quality
Optimize across target platforms
Debug, profile, and fix issues
Maintain build and release readiness
Engine and tools
Work in Unity, Unreal, or custom engine
Build tools and editor extensions
Use version control (Git)
Collaboration
Work with designers and artists
Participate in code reviews
Take features from prototype to ship
For a senior role the duties extend to architecture and technical leadership; for a mobile role, toward live-ops and device optimization. For a structured way to scope the role to your studio, the guide to defining job responsibilities walks through the process.
Which Template Should You Use?
Pick the template by role, seniority, and engine. The core structure is the same across all five, but each one emphasizes the responsibilities, experience, and specialization that fit a specific kind of game development hire. Use this guide to choose the closest fit, then adjust.
General Game Developer
Any studio
The universal, all-purpose version for a developer building and shipping a game. Gameplay code, features, optimization, and collaboration. Start here.
Junior / Entry-Level
First or early hire
For an entry-level developer (0 to 2 years). Emphasizes potential, mentorship, and a portfolio or game jams over experience, with a 'what you will learn' section.
Senior / Lead
Technical lead
For an experienced lead (5+ years). Adds systems architecture, coding standards, mentorship, and technical strategy alongside hands-on engineering.
Mobile / Free-to-Play
iOS / Android, live-ops
For mobile free-to-play games. Adds device optimization, live-ops, analytics, monetization, and store submission and post-launch updates.
Unity / Unreal Specialist
Engine expert
For a deep engine specialist. Adds advanced engine work, custom tools, performance, and serving as the studio's Unity or Unreal expert.
Match the Template to the Hire
Standard developer at any studio: General. First or early-career hire with mentorship: Junior. Experienced developer to lead and architect: Senior / Lead. Mobile free-to-play with live-ops: Mobile / Free-to-Play. Deep Unity or Unreal expertise: Engine Specialist. When in doubt, the General version is the baseline to adapt, and remember to name your engine.
5 Game Developer Job Description Templates
Download all five as a single Word document or copy individual templates. Each follows the same structure: studio overview, job summary, key responsibilities, qualifications, engine and tools, compensation with a salary-range field, work arrangement, and how to apply. Fill in the brackets and post.
Download All 5 Job Description Templates
General, junior, senior, mobile free-to-play, and engine specialist. All in one DOCX.
Template 1: General Game Developer
The universal, all-purpose version for a developer building and shipping a game: gameplay code, features, optimization, and collaboration. Start here for a standard role.
Game Developer Job Description (General)
GAME DEVELOPER JOB DESCRIPTION
Studio / Company: __
Location: __ ([City, State] / Remote / Hybrid)
Reports to: __ (Lead Developer / Technical Director / Founder)
To apply, send your resume, portfolio, and any shipped titles or demos to
__ by _.
[Studio Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 2: Junior Game Developer (Entry-Level)
For an entry-level developer (0 to 2 years). Emphasizes potential, mentorship, and a portfolio or game jams over experience, with a clear path to grow.
Junior Game Developer Job Description (Entry-Level)
JUNIOR GAME DEVELOPER JOB DESCRIPTION (ENTRY-LEVEL)
Studio: __
Location: __ (Remote / Hybrid / Onsite)
Reports to: Lead Developer / Senior Developer
Employment type: [ ] Full-time [ ] Internship
FLSA status: Exempt (computer employee) or non-exempt; confirm by duties and pay
Salary range: $_____ to $_____ per year
JOB SUMMARY
[Studio Name] is hiring a Junior Game Developer to grow with our team. This is an
entry-level role for someone early in their career who is eager to learn and ship
real games. You will work closely with senior developers, take on increasingly
complex tasks, and build your skills with mentorship. A portfolio, game jam
projects, or coursework matters more than years of experience.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Implement gameplay features and fixes with guidance
•Write clean code in [Unity (C#) / Unreal] under review
•Learn the codebase, engine, and the studio's workflow
•Fix bugs and help with testing and polish
•Collaborate with designers and artists
•Use version control (Git) day to day
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
•Professional game development workflow and shipping
•Engine architecture and performance optimization
•Working across design, art, and engineering
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•0 to 2 years, or a portfolio, game jams, or coursework
•Working knowledge of [Unity / Unreal] and [C# / C++]
•Solid programming fundamentals and eagerness to learn
•A demo, prototype, or game jam project to show
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Salary range: $_____ to $_____ per year
Growth: clear path toward mid-level developer with mentorship
To apply, send your resume and portfolio or demos to __ by
_.
[Studio Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Still Using Spreadsheets for Onboarding?
Automate documents, training assignments, task management, and track onboarding progress in real time.
To apply, send your resume, portfolio, and shipped titles to
__ by _.
[Studio Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
FLSA, IP, and Indie Hiring
This is the part the generic templates skip, and it is the part that matters most for an indie studio: the FLSA exempt status of developers, the IP and confidentiality agreements that protect your game, and the contract, equity, and remote structures common in games. Get these right and your posting attracts the right candidates and protects your studio.
FLSA: game developers are almost always exempt salaried employees
This is the compliance point no competitor template explains, and it matters for a small studio. A game developer typically qualifies as exempt under the computer employee exemption, which covers software engineers, programmers, and similarly skilled workers whose primary duty is software development, applying systems analysis, design, and programming. To qualify, the employee must be paid on a salary basis at or above the standard level, or on an hourly basis at a rate not below the federal computer-employee hourly threshold, and perform the qualifying duties. Many developers also qualify under the learned professional exemption. The practical result is that game developers are usually salaried with no overtime obligation. Confirm classification by actual duties and pay, since it is determined case by case, not by title. This is general information, not legal advice.
IP assignment and NDA: protect the studio's most valuable asset
For a game studio, the code, art, design, and underlying technology are the business, so the employment agreement should clearly assign intellectual property created on the job to the studio and include confidentiality terms. Generic job-description templates ignore this entirely. Before a developer starts, plan for a signed offer that references IP assignment, a confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement, and clarity on the use of any pre-existing personal projects or open-source work. This is especially important for contractors and for remote hires across states or countries. Build the IP and NDA paperwork into your offer and onboarding so ownership is clear from day one. This is general information, not legal advice.
Portfolio, engine, and shipped titles are the real screen
Unlike many roles, hiring a game developer is screened on demonstrated work more than credentials. State plainly which engine you use (Unity with C#, or Unreal with C++ and Blueprints), the platforms you target, and that a portfolio, demo, or shipped title is required. This filters applicants accurately and signals that you understand the craft. A developer who has shipped a game, even a small indie or game-jam title, has proven they can finish, which is rarer and more valuable than raw coding skill alone. Make the engine and the portfolio requirement explicit in the posting. This is general information, not legal advice.
Contract, equity, and remote structures are common in indie
Small studios often hire with structures larger employers do not: contract or part-time developers for a single project, revenue-share or equity in place of a full salary, and fully remote teams spanning states or countries. Each carries its own implications. A genuine contractor must be classified correctly and not treated like an employee, equity and profit-share terms belong in a written agreement, and remote hires raise multi-state or international tax and employment questions. These structures are legitimate and common in games, but they need to be documented properly rather than handled on a handshake. Decide your structure before you post, and put the terms in writing. This is general information, not legal advice.
Developers Are Typically Exempt and Salaried
Game developers usually qualify as exempt under the computer employee exemption, which covers software engineers and programmers paid on a salary basis at or above the standard level (or the federal computer-employee hourly rate). The result is a salaried role with no overtime obligation. Because exemption turns on actual duties and pay, confirm it case by case, especially for junior roles.
Game development roles start from the engine and programming fundamentals, then build on specialization and a portfolio. Name the must-have skills clearly so the right candidates apply, and require demonstrated work.
Category
What to look for
Engine
Unity (C#), Unreal (C++ / Blueprints), Godot, or custom
Programming
Strong fundamentals, problem-solving, clean code
Specialization
Gameplay, engine, graphics, networking, tools, or mobile
Workflow
Version control (Git), code review, build pipelines
Portfolio
A demo, prototype, or shipped title; required
Classification
Exempt (computer employee); salaried, confirm by duties
Keep the posting neutral and inclusive, since the EEOC prohibits job advertisements that show a preference based on a protected characteristic, and the SHRM guide covers the standard sections of a job description.
Game Developer Pay
Game developers are well-paid engineers, with pay varying by experience, location, specialization, and studio. Set your range using government data as a baseline, then adjust for your studio and market.
Closest Federal Occupation: Median $133,080 (BLS, May 2024)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track game developers separately, but the closest occupation, software developers, had a median annual wage of $133,080 in May 2024. Game-industry aggregators generally report somewhat lower averages, often around $90,000 to $115,000, with senior and lead developers well into the six figures. The broader occupation is projected to grow 15 percent from 2024 to 2034.
Pay runs higher at large studios and in major tech hubs, while indie studios may offer lower base pay offset by equity, profit share, or remote flexibility. For a small studio, a transparent range, plus a clear structure (full-time, contract, or equity), helps you compete for talent and attract developers who fit your stage and budget.
Hiring a Game Developer for an Indie Studio
A large publisher hires developers through a recruiting team and an HR department. An indie studio does not. The founder, a producer, or the technical lead writes the posting, reviews portfolios, and onboards the new developer, often between building the game. Because most game-software businesses are small indie teams, this is the norm, not the exception. Here is how to write the posting for that reality.
Most game studios are tiny, but the templates are written for big publishers
It is easy to picture game developers only at large studios, but the opposite is true: the large majority of US game-software businesses are indie studios with fewer than ten employees, and these small teams are exactly the ones hiring without an HR department. The founder, a producer, or the technical lead writes the posting, reviews portfolios, and onboards the new developer between building the game. The templates above are built for that reality: pick the version that matches the role and engine, fill in the brackets, and post, instead of adapting a AAA publisher's job description down to your size.
Game developer and game designer are different roles, and mixing them confuses candidates
A common indie hiring mistake is treating game developer and game designer as the same role. A game developer is an engineer: they write the code that makes the game run, in an engine like Unity or Unreal. A game designer shapes the gameplay, systems, levels, and player experience, often without writing production code. Many small studios need both, or need one versatile person early on, but the job description should be clear about which you are hiring. If you are hiring for the design and gameplay side rather than engineering, the game designer posting fits better than a developer role.
The hire is high-trust and IP-heavy, so onboarding is about agreements and access, not time clocks
A game developer is an exempt, salaried professional, so onboarding is not about overtime or punching a clock. It is about getting signed agreements in place, especially IP assignment and confidentiality, and getting the developer set up with engine licenses, the codebase, version control, and the build pipeline so they can ship. FirstHR fits this people side for a small studio: e-signature for the offer letter and the IP and NDA acknowledgments, document management to store signed agreements and contractor paperwork, and task workflows for onboarding the new developer onto your tools and systems. To be clear about scope, FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not a game-engine, source-control, or project-management tool, and it does not run payroll or administer benefits, so pair it with those. Applicant tracking is coming soon.
From Hiring to Onboarding
The job description is step one. Once a candidate accepts, the same document becomes the basis for the offer and onboarding. For a game studio especially, getting IP and confidentiality agreements signed and the developer set up on your engine, codebase, and pipeline is what turns a great portfolio into shipped work.
Send the offer
Confirm the role, salary or contract terms, engine, and start date in writing, with IP assignment and confidentiality referenced.
Sign IP and NDA
Get the IP assignment and confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement signed before the developer touches the codebase.
Set up tools and codebase
Engine licenses, version control, the build pipeline, and project access, so the developer can start shipping quickly.
Store records
Keep the signed offer, IP and NDA agreements, and contractor paperwork organized and easy to find as the team grows.
Once your offer is ready, the offer letter template handles the next step, and an onboarding template gives the new hire a structured start. FirstHR connects the offer, paperwork, e-signatures, IP and NDA acknowledgments, and onboarding workflow in one place, so an indie studio can manage the full process from job description to a fully onboarded developer from one system. FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not a game-engine, source-control, or project-management tool, and it does not run payroll or administer benefits, so connect those separately. Applicant tracking is coming soon to FirstHR.
Key Takeaways
A game developer is an engineer who writes the code that makes a game run, usually in Unity (C#) or Unreal (C++).
Developer is distinct from designer: the developer builds it, the designer decides how it plays; use the matching job description.
Use the template that matches the role and engine: general, junior, senior, mobile free-to-play, or Unity/Unreal specialist.
Developers are typically exempt and salaried under the computer employee exemption, with no overtime; confirm by actual duties.
Protect your game with IP assignment and confidentiality agreements, signed before the developer touches the codebase.
Most studios hiring are indie teams under ten people; a portfolio or shipped title is the strongest hiring signal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a game developer do?
A game developer is an engineer who writes the code that makes a video game run. Day to day, that means programming gameplay features, mechanics, and systems in an engine like Unity or Unreal, integrating art, audio, and assets, optimizing performance across target platforms, debugging and profiling, and collaborating with designers and artists to take a game from prototype to release. Some developers specialize in gameplay, engine systems, graphics, networking, tools, or mobile and live-ops. The role is distinct from a game designer, who shapes the gameplay, systems, levels, and player experience, often without writing production code. At small indie studios, one developer may wear several hats across these areas.
What is the difference between a game developer and a game designer?
A game developer is a programmer or engineer who writes the code that makes the game work, building features and systems in an engine like Unity or Unreal. A game designer shapes what the game is: the gameplay, rules, systems, levels, balance, and player experience, usually without writing production code. In short, the developer builds it and the designer decides how it should play. The two roles collaborate closely, and at small studios they sometimes overlap in one versatile person, but they require different skills and should have different job descriptions. If you are hiring for the creative and gameplay side rather than engineering, a game designer job description is the right starting point. If you need someone to write the code, use a game developer description like the templates here.
What should a game developer job description include?
A strong game developer job description names the studio and the game up front, and includes a job summary, key responsibilities, required qualifications, and critically, the engine and platforms you work with. Responsibilities should be specific: writing gameplay and systems code, implementing features, optimizing performance, debugging, and collaborating with designers and artists. The qualifications should name the engine (Unity with C#, or Unreal with C++ and Blueprints), the experience level, and require a portfolio, demo, or shipped title. Include a salary range, the work arrangement (remote, hybrid, or onsite), and note any contract or equity structure. The most valuable additions that generic templates skip are the engine specificity, the portfolio requirement, and IP and confidentiality expectations. Close with an equal opportunity statement and apply instructions.
Is a game developer exempt or non-exempt under the FLSA?
A game developer is almost always exempt and salaried, with no overtime obligation. Developers typically qualify under the computer employee exemption, which covers software engineers, programmers, and similarly skilled workers whose primary duty is software development through systems analysis, design, and programming, provided they are paid on a salary basis at or above the standard level or on an hourly basis at or above the federal computer-employee hourly rate. Many also qualify under the learned professional exemption. Because exemption is determined by actual job duties and pay rather than by title, confirm classification case by case, especially for junior or more routine roles, which could fall outside the exemption. Consult the Department of Labor guidance or a qualified advisor for your specific situation. This is general information, not legal advice.
Do indie studios and small game companies hire game developers?
Yes, and they make up the large majority of game-software employers. The video game industry is dominated by indie studios, with the bulk of US game-software businesses employing fewer than ten people, and these small teams are exactly the ones hiring without an HR department. Indie and small studios hire developers constantly, often through founders or producers who write the job posting themselves, and they frequently use contract, part-time, remote, or equity and revenue-share structures rather than only full-time salaries. The high salaries reported for game developers reflect the value of the role, not the size of the employer, so do not assume only large publishers hire developers. A clear, role-specific template helps a small studio compete for talent without a recruiting team. This is general information, not legal advice.
What engine and skills should a game developer have?
The most important thing to specify is your engine, since it determines the core skill set. Unity uses C# and dominates indie and mobile development; Unreal uses C++ and Blueprints and is common for high-fidelity and console games; some studios use Godot or a custom engine. Beyond the engine, look for strong programming fundamentals, problem-solving, experience with version control like Git, and performance optimization. Specializations include gameplay, engine and systems, graphics and shaders, networking and multiplayer, tools, and mobile or live-ops. Above all, a portfolio, demo, or shipped title is the strongest signal, since a developer who has finished and released a game, even a small one, has proven they can ship. Name your engine, platforms, and the portfolio requirement clearly in the posting. This is general information, not legal advice.
How much does a game developer make?
Game developers are well-paid engineers, with pay varying by experience, location, specialization, and studio. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track game developers as a separate occupation, but the closest match, software developers, had a median annual wage of $133,080 in May 2024. Game-industry-specific aggregators generally report figures somewhat below the broad software-developer median, often in the range of roughly $90,000 to $115,000 on average, with senior and lead developers well into the six figures and entry-level roles lower. Pay tends to run higher at large studios and in major tech hubs, and indie studios may offer lower base pay offset by equity, profit share, or remote flexibility. For a posting, benchmark to your studio, role, and market, and publish a salary range where required. This is general information, not legal advice.
Should I hire a full-time developer, a contractor, or offer equity?
It depends on your stage, budget, and the scope of work. A full-time salaried developer makes sense when you have ongoing development and the budget to support it, and is the simplest to manage. A contractor works well for a defined project or a specialized need, but must be classified correctly and not treated like an employee. Equity or revenue share, often combined with reduced cash pay, is common at early indie studios that are short on cash but want committed team members, though it should always be documented in a written agreement. Many small studios use a mix. Whatever structure you choose, decide before you post, state it clearly in the job description, and put the terms, including IP assignment, in a signed agreement. This is general information, not legal advice.
