Also called: Physics Engine Developer
Writes the code that makes objects in video games fall, crash, bounce, and splash realistically.
You program how a car crumples in a racing game or how cloth flaps on a character's cape, making it look real while running 60 times a second. You test, tune, and fix bugs like characters getting stuck in walls.
Based on software developers; game studios often pay somewhat less than big tech.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in computer science, physics, or math; a portfolio of projects matters most.
Ways in: 4-year college, Self-taught. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Game Development.
Growing much faster than average (about 15% over 10 years). Growth is for software developers overall.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. AI writes much game code and physics engines are off-the-shelf; fewer specialist openings, mostly senior.
Classes: AP Computer Science, AP Physics, AP Calculus.
Official data: O*NET occupation 15-1252.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.