Hire the Best Unreal Engine Developers
in the United States

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Rating is 4.7 out of 5.
4.7/5
Based on 199 client reviews
Simon M.

Elkins Park, Pennsylvania

$40/hr
5.0
18 jobs

Hi there! I’m Simon. Governor of Games, Duke of Development, and Unreal Engine Specialist I help studios, indie developers, and creative teams bring unforgettable games to life with smart AI systems, immersive gameplay, and emotionally engaging design. While I’m new to Upwork, I’m not new to game development. With 20+ years of coding experience and a rare blend of Unreal Engine mastery + player psychology insight, I craft games that don’t just work, they resonate. 🚀 What I’ve Helped Games Do AI & NPC Systems - Designed advanced Behavior Trees and Blackboards for dynamic NPC combat. - Built responsive sensory systems (EQS, perception, and reactions) for lifelike character behavior. - Created full blueprint-based NPC logic for puzzle and exploration games. Gameplay & Systems Design - Developed prototypes to polished gameplay mechanics in Unreal Engine 5. - Structured progression systems to teach mechanics naturally (e.g., The Vault). - Balanced systems that make gameplay rewarding without overwhelming players. Narrative & Player Psychology - Integrated storytelling frameworks rooted in my MSc in Psychology. - Applied cultural and historical insights (Brown University, BA) to world-building. - Crafted emotionally rich experiences like Stellaris, a meditative exploration game. Collaboration & Workflow - Skilled with Jira, Trello, Confluence, Perforce for agile sprint cycles. - Strong background in team leadership, task prioritization, and conflict resolution. - Reliable communication: stand-ups, change logs, and detailed version control updates. 💡 How I Can Help You - Need smarter NPCs? → I’ll design AI that feels alive, strategic, and engaging. - Want to prototype gameplay fast? → I’ll build, test, and refine mechanics in UE5. - Building a story-driven game? → I’ll align mechanics with narrative to keep players hooked. - Struggling with team collaboration? → I’ll plug seamlessly into your process with clear comms. - Looking for atmosphere and immersion? → I’ll design worlds that players feel. ⚙️ My Process - Discovery & Game Concept Alignment - System & AI Design (Blueprints, NPCs, Combat, Behavior Trees) - Iterative Development & Playtesting - Narrative Integration & Player Psychology Layering - Sprint-based Execution with Agile Tools - Delivery + Optimization 🏆 Why Studios Work With Me ✔️ 20+ years coding & systems design ✔️ Unreal Engine 5 expert with advanced AI focus ✔️ MSc Psychology + BSc Game Design — rare insight into player behavior ✔️ Portfolio across puzzle, exploration, platformer, and atmospheric games ✔️ Fluent in 6 languages, adaptable across cultures and teams ✔️ Independent, organized, and highly collaborative ⸻ 📩 Let’s Connect Ready to build a prototype, AI system, or full game experience? Send me a message here on Upwork, let’s create something players will never forget.

  • Unreal Engine
  • C++
  • Game Development
  • Game Design
  • AI Development
  • JavaScript
  • Level Design
  • SQL
  • Project Management
  • Jira
  • Git
Justin N.

Orlando, Florida

$30/hr
5.0
2 jobs

I am a Technical Artist and XR Developer with four years of experience in creating immersive experiences that bridge the gap between art and technology. My expertise lies in object-oriented programming, master shaders, and optimizing workflows for artists and programmers. I have contributed to AAA game development and developed AR simulations for military training, working alongside industry leaders. My skills in 3D modeling, programming, texturing, and tools enable me to solve complex technical challenges effectively. I thrive on collaboration and innovation, seeking opportunities that allow me to push the boundaries of XR technology. Whether remote or onsite, I am ready to bring creative and technical solutions to your projects. Let’s connect and transform your ideas into reality.

  • Unreal Engine
  • Video Game
  • Game Art
  • AR & VR
  • Game Design
  • 3D Modeling
  • Autodesk Maya
  • Game
Manik M.

Chantilly, Virginia

$42/hr
5.0
3 jobs

I help studios, startups, and creators build high-quality games—from prototypes and vertical slices to full-scale commercial releases. I specialize in Unreal Engine, Unity, and Roblox development, helping teams build engaging gameplay, multiplayer experiences, immersive worlds, and polished game visuals. From engineering complex gameplay systems to delivering game art, animation, cinematics, and technical architecture, I focus on creating production-ready games that are built to scale. What I can help you with: • Full-cycle game development (prototype to launch) • Unreal Engine, Unity, and Roblox development • Multiplayer systems and online gameplay • Gameplay mechanics and core systems design • Game art, character assets, and environment creation • 3D modeling, texturing, and asset optimization • Character rigging and animation • Cinematics and Unreal Engine Sequencer • UI/UX implementation and interactive experiences • AR/VR experiences and interactive simulations • Performance optimization for PC, mobile, console, VR, and Roblox • Live project support, debugging, and feature expansion • Technical planning and production guidance Over the years, I've worked on multiplayer games, simulations, arcade experiences, mobile titles, VR applications, Roblox experiences, and interactive products, contributing to everything from gameplay programming and multiplayer architecture to art production, animation workflows, optimization, and technical problem-solving. My goal is always the same: deliver high-quality games with maintainable systems, optimized assets, and production-ready solutions that scale with your project. Clients work with me because I provide: • Clear communication and realistic expectations • Practical solutions instead of unnecessary complexity • Fast iteration while maintaining high quality • A strong focus on shipping stable, production-ready builds • Long-term maintainability and scalable architecture For larger productions, I lead and work alongside an experienced game development team capable of supporting every stage of development, including concept art, 2D/3D art, character modeling, environment creation, animation, rigging, cinematics, UI/UX, VFX, QA, and specialized engineering. This allows clients to scale from individual features to complete game production while working with a single, reliable technical partner. Whether you're building a new game, expanding an existing title, creating a multiplayer experience, developing a Roblox experience, or assembling a dedicated team to bring your vision to life, I can help move your project from idea to successful release.

  • Unreal Engine
  • Video Game
  • Game Design
  • Game
  • Unity
  • AR & VR
Kyle R.

Las Vegas, Nevada

$40/hr
5.0
6 jobs

Unreal Engine 5 Blueprints Specialist, full-time developer, and life-long student. Quick thinking, unique solutions, and an ever present desire to learn make me the ideal partner or contractor.

  • Unreal Engine
  • Game Development
  • SEO Writing
  • Blog Writing
  • News Writing
  • Book Writing
  • Writing
  • Game Consultation
  • Project Management
Rabia A.

Lewisville, Texas

$25/hr
5.0
1 jobs

Hi I am Rabia Ali I have completed over a dozen successful Unreal Engine projects globally, I specialize in full-cycle game development from concept to polished product. I work across both traditional Unreal Engine and Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN), offering in-depth expertise in programming, visual scripting, UI, cinematics, and multiplayer systems. 🎮 Technical Expertise Blueprints & C++: Deep experience with Blueprint visual scripting and C++ for custom logic, gameplay systems, and engine-level modifications. Performance Optimization: Skilled in profiling, asset optimization, and memory management to ensure stable, high-performance gameplay. 🎥 Animation & Cinematic Workflows Creation of high-quality cutscenes using Sequencer, including dynamic camera systems and animation blending. Expert in building Animation Blueprints, State Machines, and Blendspaces for fluid character animation. 🛠 Gameplay Systems & UI Design Built responsive and engaging game mechanics: from combat and AI to player progression. Designed modern UIs using Common UI, Slate, and UMG, including HUDs, inventories, and menus. 🌐 Multiplayer & Networking Proficient in Lyra Multiplayer Framework, session handling, and replication logic. Implemented multiplayer gameplay with dedicated server support, matchmaking, and reliable networked features. 🧱 UEFN & Fortnite Creative Designed custom Fortnite experiences using UEFN tools. Developed scripted mechanics, levels, and game logic optimized for both PC and console platforms. 🌍 Level Design & Interactive Environments Created immersive levels that balance design aesthetics with smooth player flow. Integrated physics-based gameplay, scripted events, and interactive environments. I focus on delivering immersive gameplay experiences that combine technical excellence with creative storytelling. Whether you need core mechanics, a multiplayer prototype, or a cinematic sequence, I’m here to help bring your project to life. 📬 Let’s work together to build something exceptional!

  • Unreal Engine
  • C++
  • Game Development
  • Game Testing
  • Video Game
  • Game Design
  • Level Design
  • Game Mechanics
  • Game Prototype
  • Steam
  • Steam API
  • Online Multiplayer
  • Combat Game
  • Game Development Bug Fix
  • Mobile Game Development
Tan D.

Charlotte, North Carolina

$35/hr
5.0
47 jobs

Key strengths I bring to every project: - Quick to learn and adapt to new tools and environments - Strong analytical and problem solving skills - Consistently driven and dedicated to high quality work With a strong foundation in Unity3D, and experience in Unreal Engine 5 my role has centered on architecting robust game systems and enhancing the gaming experience through meticulous debugging and feature development. The skills I've honed through collaboration with multidisciplinary teams are crucial in my current position, where I actively contribute to the game's lifecycle.

  • Unreal Engine
  • C++
  • Game Development
  • Game Testing
  • Java
  • C#
  • Unity
  • GitHub
  • Academic Writing
  • REST API
  • Version Control
  • Amazon Web Services
  • Python
  • Microsoft Azure
  • HTML

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