Green Card Gameplay Programmer Jobs
Gameplay Programmer green card sponsorship follows the EB-2 or EB-3 employment-based path, requiring your employer to complete PERM labor certification with the Department of Labor before filing an I-140 petition with USCIS. Per-country backlogs mean priority dates matter, so targeting studios with active sponsorship pipelines gives you a meaningful head start.
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Get Access To All JobsWHAT 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.
ENGINEERING - GAMES
What We Do
Unreal projects have been leading the pack of real-time entertainment with our constantly growing team of engineering experts. We’re always improving on the tools and technology that empower content developers worldwide.
We are a new and growing team at Epic, aiming to build innovative new experiences and technology. As a Senior Gameplay AI Programmer, you will play a critical role on a small and focused team. You will be responsible for core AI features and supporting collaborative development between programmers, designers, and artists. You will have opportunities to work on various initiatives, get hands-on with cutting-edge technologies, and work with talented internal and external teams, all while building impactful experiences from concept to delivery.
In this role, you will
- Work closely with art and design to create and iterate on gameplay AI features
- Experiment with game design and iterate rapidly while ensuring that strong architectural and algorithmic decisions are made
- Drive, build and maintain core AI systems shared in the Fortnite AI ecosystem
- Collaborate with engine AI developers to improve AI systems
- Ensure high-quality user experiences across all platforms we support
- Optimize and fix bugs in existing gameplay AI systems
What we're looking for
- Experience developing games professionally, and shipping AAA titles with AI experience
- Experience working with AI systems (Behavior Trees, Finite State Machine, Pathfinding, Animation, etc.)
- Excellent C++ skills and the ability to code and architect AI gameplay mechanics and tools
- Well-versed in games and the ability to articulate what is strong/weak about the design of existing games (an interest in online games is preferred)
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Experience working on a live service game is a plus
- Self-motivated, great work ethic, and able to work independently
- Creativity in problem-solving and the ability to think outside of the established solutions
EPIC JOB + EPIC BENEFITS = EPIC LIFE
Our intent is to cover all things that are medically necessary and improve the quality of life. We pay 100% of the premiums for both you and your dependents. Our coverage includes Medical, Dental, a Vision HRA, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance & a 401k with competitive match. We also offer a robust mental well-being program through Modern Health, which provides free therapy and coaching for employees & dependents. Throughout the year we celebrate our employees with events and company-wide paid breaks. We offer unlimited PTO and sick time and recognize individuals for 7 years of employment with a paid sabbatical.
About us
Epic Games spans across 25 countries with 46 studios and 4,500+ employees globally. For over 25 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.
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.
ENGINEERING - GAMES
What We Do
Unreal projects have been leading the pack of real-time entertainment with our constantly growing team of engineering experts. We’re always improving on the tools and technology that empower content developers worldwide.
We are a new and growing team at Epic, aiming to build innovative new experiences and technology. As a Senior Gameplay AI Programmer, you will play a critical role on a small and focused team. You will be responsible for core AI features and supporting collaborative development between programmers, designers, and artists. You will have opportunities to work on various initiatives, get hands-on with cutting-edge technologies, and work with talented internal and external teams, all while building impactful experiences from concept to delivery.
In this role, you will
- Work closely with art and design to create and iterate on gameplay AI features
- Experiment with game design and iterate rapidly while ensuring that strong architectural and algorithmic decisions are made
- Drive, build and maintain core AI systems shared in the Fortnite AI ecosystem
- Collaborate with engine AI developers to improve AI systems
- Ensure high-quality user experiences across all platforms we support
- Optimize and fix bugs in existing gameplay AI systems
What we're looking for
- Experience developing games professionally, and shipping AAA titles with AI experience
- Experience working with AI systems (Behavior Trees, Finite State Machine, Pathfinding, Animation, etc.)
- Excellent C++ skills and the ability to code and architect AI gameplay mechanics and tools
- Well-versed in games and the ability to articulate what is strong/weak about the design of existing games (an interest in online games is preferred)
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Experience working on a live service game is a plus
- Self-motivated, great work ethic, and able to work independently
- Creativity in problem-solving and the ability to think outside of the established solutions
EPIC JOB + EPIC BENEFITS = EPIC LIFE
Our intent is to cover all things that are medically necessary and improve the quality of life. We pay 100% of the premiums for both you and your dependents. Our coverage includes Medical, Dental, a Vision HRA, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance & a 401k with competitive match. We also offer a robust mental well-being program through Modern Health, which provides free therapy and coaching for employees & dependents. Throughout the year we celebrate our employees with events and company-wide paid breaks. We offer unlimited PTO and sick time and recognize individuals for 7 years of employment with a paid sabbatical.
About us
Epic Games spans across 25 countries with 46 studios and 4,500+ employees globally. For over 25 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.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship in Gameplay Programmer
Document your specialized engine expertise now
Compile evidence of proprietary engine work, physics system contributions, or platform-specific optimizations before PERM begins. USCIS scrutinizes whether the role genuinely requires your specific credentials, so concrete technical artifacts strengthen the employer's ability to define the position narrowly.
Search Migrate Mate for studios sponsoring green cards
Use Migrate Mate to find U.S. game studios with verified employment-based green card sponsorship history, searchable by role and location. Studios that have already navigated PERM for programmers are far more likely to sponsor again than those doing it for the first time.
Check prevailing wage before salary negotiations
Your employer must meet the DOL prevailing wage for your SOC code and work location under PERM rules. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the Level I through Level IV wage tiers for Software Developers in your target city before you negotiate, so your expected offer clears the threshold.
Distinguish EB-2 and EB-3 based on your degree
If you hold a bachelor's degree plus five or more years of progressive gameplay programming experience, you may qualify under EB-2 without a master's degree. EB-3 covers bachelor's-level professionals and skilled workers with at least two years of experience, and the right category affects both your petition timeline and backlog exposure.
Ask studios about PERM recruitment before accepting an offer
PERM requires the employer to run a bona fide U.S. worker recruitment test before the Department of Labor certifies the application. Ask hiring managers whether they've completed this process for a programmer role before, since studios inexperienced with PERM often underestimate the documentation burden and timeline involved.
Track your priority date if you're from India or China
Per-country annual limits create backlogs for Indian and Chinese nationals under both EB-2 and EB-3. Once your I-140 is approved, your priority date is locked in and can transfer to a new employer's petition under AC21 portability rules once your I-485 has been pending 180 days or more.
Green Card Gameplay Programmer: Frequently Asked Questions
Which green card category fits a Gameplay Programmer with a bachelor's degree?
Most Gameplay Programmers qualify under EB-3 Professional, which requires a U.S. bachelor's degree or its foreign equivalent in a relevant field such as computer science or software engineering. If you have a master's degree or a bachelor's plus five years of progressive experience in gameplay systems, you may qualify under EB-2, which can carry different priority-date backlog exposure depending on your country of birth.
How is green card sponsorship different from H-1B sponsorship for this role?
Green card sponsorship results in lawful permanent residence rather than a temporary status. The process is more involved: your employer must complete PERM labor certification with the Department of Labor, documenting a prevailing wage determination and a bona fide recruitment test, before filing an I-140 petition with USCIS. Unlike H-1B visa, there is no lottery, but employment-based green cards have per-country annual limits, meaning Indian and Chinese nationals can face significant priority-date backlogs.
How do I find game studios that actively sponsor employment-based green cards?
Migrate Mate lists U.S. employers with verified employment-based green card sponsorship history, searchable by role and city. Studios that have already navigated the PERM process for programmers are the strongest targets because they understand the documentation requirements, have established relationships with immigration counsel, and are less likely to withdraw sponsorship mid-process due to administrative surprises.
What happens to my green card case if I change studios before it's approved?
Two distinct rules apply depending on where you are in the process. If your I-140 petition has been approved and your I-485 has been pending for 180 days or more, AC21 portability lets you change to a same or similar occupation without restarting. Separately, an approved I-140 can be withdrawn by your original employer, but your priority date can often be carried over when a new employer files a fresh I-140 on your behalf.
Does the PERM process look at the specific gameplay programming skills required for the role?
Yes. Under PERM, the employer must define the minimum requirements for the position and demonstrate through the recruitment test that no qualified U.S. worker was available at those requirements. Requirements must reflect actual business necessity rather than being written to match your specific profile. For gameplay programmers, skills tied to a proprietary engine or platform-specific API can be justified if the employer documents why those requirements are genuinely necessary for the role.