Senior Game Designer
Epic Games
Cary, NC · Posted June 17, 2026
Just laid off? Start here: a plan for the first weeks
See every open role at Epic Games
More in North Carolina job market · Design jobs
More roles at Epic Games
- Senior Software Engineer, Audio Engine · Cary, NC
- Senior Rendering Programmer · Cary, NC
- Senior Product Manager (Fortnite) · Cary, NC
- Senior Programmer, Graphics Tools · Cary, NC
- Senior Tools Programmer, UI & AI Workflows · Cary, NC
- Senior Security Engineer · Cary, NC
Similar jobs
- Associate Director, Design - Reimbursement Support · Valeris · NC
- Game Designer · IGT · Reno, NV
- Head of Hardware Design · Flux · San Francisco, CA
- Director Design & Construction · North Broward Hospital District (Broward Health) · Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Sr. Director, Design Engineering – GW-Scale Data Center Infrastructure · Oracle
- Principal, Motion Designer · Hut 8 · Miami, FL
Where Cary, NC ranks
Where Cary, NC placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #8Best cities for AI-skill jobs in the Southeast12% · of 87
- #11Best cities for junior jobs in North Carolina23% · of 11
- #15Best cities for mid-career professionals in the Southeast58% · of 87
- #19Cities with the most hybrid jobs in the Southeast11% · of 84
- #25Best cities for remote-friendly jobs7% · of 100
- #25Best cities for director and executive jobs in the Southeast19% · of 87
Rankings about design jobs
- Best cities for design jobs #1 New York (717 openings)
- Most requested AI skills in design jobs #1 AI tools in daily work (14.5%)
- Employers with the most design jobs #1 Amazon (176 roles)
How AI is used in this kind of work
Among web and digital interface designers, AI is already used for some of the tasks. Measured exposure for web and digital interface designers: 25% (some).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
Epic Games has filed 2 layoff notices in the last twelve months, covering 293 workers, most recently March 2026. These are public filings with state labor departments, and an open role can sit alongside them. See the filings
Skills this job asks for
Say which you have and which you want to build. We use it to match you to jobs like this one.
About the job
WHAT MAKES US EPIC?
At the core of Epic’s success are talented, passionate people. Epic prides itself on creating a collaborative, welcoming, and creative environment. Whether it’s building award-winning games or crafting engine technology that enables others to make visually stunning interactive experiences, we’re always innovating.
Being Epic means being a part of a team that continually strives to do right by our community and users. We’re constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development.
DESIGN
What We Do
Put your design skills to work at a cutting-edge company that challenges the norm. From character and level design to competitive gameplay and system design, help shape the future of interactive entertainment at Epic.
What You'll Do
Epic Games is seeking an experienced Senior Game Designer to join our Music team, contributing across various aspects of highly social and music-based gameplay and interactive experiences. In this role, you will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams to shape and refine music systems, tune gameplay mechanics, craft engaging activities and social experiences, and ensure compelling and expressive player experiences.
In this role, you will
• Own the design and hands-on implementation of music-based gameplay features and systems, including using Jam Tracks, music interaction mechanics, and social music experiences, while fostering innovation
• Effectively communicate project vision to team members across all disciplines, collaborating closely with audio, engineering, art, UX, and product teams to ensure compelling player experiences and overall ecosystem health
• Set and maintain high-quality standards for music gameplay and social interaction design, actively participating in big-picture decisions to drive superior results
• Create clear, structured design documents and drive collaborative, iterative prototyping processes to rapidly explore and refine music systems, player interactions, and emergent gameplay opportunities
• Design and tune systems that support music gameplay, progression, discovery, and player expression, leveraging data and playtest feedback to react quickly to changing project needs and drive effective solutions
• Partner closely with audio and engineering teams to develop intuitive tools and mechanics that empower players to create, remix, and engage with music-driven experiences
What we're looking for
• Minimum 5+ years of experience shipping multiple titles as a game designer, with expertise in systems design and multiplayer gameplay, ideally including music gameplay, rhythm mechanics, social experiences, and player expression features
• Hands-on experience designing, prototyping, and implementing gameplay features in Unreal Engine
• Passion for games and music experiences, with a broad understanding of player motivations and how music, creativity, and social interaction combine to create compelling gameplay
• Ability to react quickly to changing project needs and directions, along with strong problem-solving skills and a solution-oriented mindset
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with experience working closely with audio, engineering, UX, art, and product teams to bring music-driven experiences from concept to release
• Interest in emerging Al tools and workflows, with curiosity around how they can be thoughtfully applied to prototyping, iteration, and the game development process
• Experience with multiplayer cooperative games, systems design, analytics tools/languages/processes, and visual scripting is a plus
• Experience designing rhythm games, music gameplay systems, creator tools, or social sandbox experiences, along with familiarity with music production workflows or musical training
• Experience with UEFN is a plus
This role is open to multiple locations across the US (including CA, NYC, & WA).
Pay Transparency Information
The expected annual base pay range(s) for this position are detailed below. Each base pay range is relevant only for individuals who are residents of or will be expected to work within the specified locale. Compensation varies based on a variety of factors, which include (but aren’t limited to) things such as skills and competencies, qualifications, knowledge, and experience. In addition to base pay, most employees are eligible to participate in Epic’s generous benefit plans and discretionary incentive programs (subject to the terms of those plans or programs).
New York City Base Pay Range
$144,535—$192,713 USD
California Base Pay Range
$158,988—$211,984 USD
Washington Base Pay Range
$169,829—$226,438 USD
ABOUT US
Epic Games is a leading interactive entertainment company. For over 30 years we've been making award-winning games and engine technology that empowers others to make visually stunning games and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being embraced by content creators across a variety of industries such as media and entertainment, automotive, and architectural design. As we continue to build our Engine technology and develop remarkable games, we strive to build teams of world-class talent.
Like what you hear? Come be a part of something Epic!
Epic Games deeply values diverse teams and an inclusive work culture, and we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. Learn more about our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy here.
Note to Recruitment Agencies: Epic does not accept any unsolicited resumes or approaches from any unauthorized third party (including recruitment or placement agencies) (i.e., a third party with whom we do not have a negotiated and validly executed agreement). We will not pay any fees to any unauthorized third party. Further details on these matters can be found here.