Unity 2D Engineer (Contract, Part-Time)

Company Description

Heart Machine is a diverse team of passionate game developers working to create uniquely engaging worlds that are greater than the sum of their parts. We’re based in Los Angeles, but we have team members all across the globe.

We believe different perspectives contribute not only to more meaningful games but to a healthier and more sustainable team as well. As the studio grows, we are committed to maintaining a welcoming environment where all voices are valued.

We’re ambitious and work hard, but health is an essential value at Heart Machine. We aren’t a crunch factory: we’re committed to building a culture of healthy work-life balance.

We’re looking for talented individuals who share these values to collaborate with us on amazing, unique games.

Job Description

Help bring our next unannounced 2D pixel art game to life!

Engineers at Heart Machine are collaborators in both craft and vision. You will develop performant systems, gameplay mechanics, and contribute to the project’s overall architecture and design. Your work will directly shape how players experience and engage with our games.

This role spans both sides of development: player-facing features such as controls, UI, and interactions, as well as backend systems like AI, tools, and performance optimization.

Qualifications

Responsibilities

• Build, maintain, and refine Unity systems that support the game’s core mechanics and distinct play style
• Collaborate with designers and artists to implement mechanics, UI/UX, and visual elements that communicate gameplay
• Integrate AI behavior and tools
• Optimize performance across platforms to ensure a smooth, responsive experience
• Test your own work thoroughly and provide constructive peer feedback
• Contribute to technical documentation and knowledge-sharing

What We’re Looking For

• Strong experience in Unity development, demonstrated through shipped projects or a robust portfolio
• Proficiency in C# and a solid understanding of Unity’s workflows
• Comfort with prototyping and iterating quickly, with an eye toward polish and replayability
• Experience designing systems that are approachable, expressive, and modular

Bonus Points

• Experience shipping mobile games
• Prior experience with 2D pixel art games or other stylized projects

Application Instruction

• Along with your application, please also provide an example and explanation in the "Message to the Hiring Team" field of your strongest shipped work in 2D pixel art games and/or experience with ECS frameworks. We will prioritize review of applications that follow this instruction.

Additional Information

Compensation

This is a contract role at 20 - 30 hours / week of work.

In the United States, the standard base pay range for this role we have estimated $42 - $75 / hr commensurate with experience. This base pay range is for the U.S. and is not applicable to locations outside of the U.S. Actual amounts will vary depending on experience, performance and location. In addition to base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401k
• Flex PTO policy and 10 Federal holidays annually
• Paid parental leave