{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"e79e5e606148cd1ab08399e3","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/e79e5e606148cd1ab08399e3","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/e79e5e606148cd1ab08399e3","title":"Associate Game Developer","description":"SUMMARY Overview of the position\nThe Associate Game Developer (AGD) helps in the creation of unique and innovative Trading Card Game (TCG) and Collectable Card Game (CCG) products. With overall direction from the Sr Director of Game Development, the AGD assists in the conceptualization, development, and maintenance of product portfolios for TCG focused brands. The AGD may be asked to prepare and present product strategies and financial costing reports. The AGD also works alongside Brand and Project Managers in developing external licensing and business relationships.\n\nESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an individual assigned to this job. Other duties may be assigned.\nProduct Development:\nPortfolio Management – Works with the team to conceptualizes and manages the development of current and future TCG/CCG products meeting Upper Deck defined requirements.\nConsumer Experience – Able to identify the collectable and non-collectable drivers of a TCG including the pack opening experience, rarity structures, card technologies, and just overall vibes of opening a fun pack of cards.\nFinancial Responsibilities – Develops product P&L documentation to ensure that a product stays within budget and is profitable at launch.\nIntellectual Property Knowledge - Must be able to determine and report on the driving factors for any IP they oversee.\nLeadership – May be asked to take a leading role in all aspects of development for a particular product line.\n\nProduct Determination and Selection:\nIndustry Trends – Expected to research, anticipate, identify, and capitalize on TCG/CCG industry trends and value drivers.\nLine Plans - Works with the respective Sales and Brand teams to design a wide range of products for large and small distribution channels including private label programs, premiums and promotional items, direct marketing campaigns, mass market and limited-edition programs.\nNew Opportunities – Suggests new categories and products for TCG/CCG lines to maximize consumer demand.\n\nQuality Control/Ethics:\nCompliance – Ensures that a product is built considering quality and compliance standards.\nQuality Assurance – Must works closely with the Operation and Production teams to minimize manufacturing errors and delivery slippage.\n\nMarketing, Advertising, Promotion, and Solicitation Activity:\nMarketing Feedback - Provide input into Marketing/Advertising/PR campaigns as requested.\n\nSystems and Administration:\nProduct Documentation – Helps manage and maintain the accuracy of product documentation and communicates and changes throughout the organization.\n\nCommunication:\nCross Departmental Interaction - Responsible for keeping team members up to date with ranging developments for TCG/CCG initiatives acting as a liaison with other departments. Must provide initial directions on component layout and art design.\nExternal Party Collaboration – Must be able to be collaborative with outside parties by understanding all aspects of the design and production process.\n\nINTERACTION\nThe Associate Game Developer will interact with numerous departments within the company as well as external parties. The core team will consist of the TCG Game Development Coordinator, Game Designer, Game Developer, and Brand Managers. Graphic Design, Photo, Art, and Editorial departments will be consulted heavily to ensure that content is conveyed properly. Project Managers will be constantly consulted to keep tasks on schedule and to meet licensor requirements when applicable. Financial and Legal requirements will also need to be considered, and those departments will be consulted when necessary. The Associate Game Developer will collaborate with Customer Service as needed to help with customer issues. Lastly, may be asked to participate in live streams for various Upper Deck social media outlets to interact with collectors and the community.\n\nEDUCATION/YEARS EXPERIENCE\nBachelor’s Degree with an emphasis in Game Development and/or Design or a closely related field or equivalent experience.\nMathematics experience is also a plus.\n5+ years of experience with TCG/CCG style games.\n5+ years of experience with tabletop gaming.\nProfessional experience in the tabletop gaming industry is a plus\n\nREQUIREMENTS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.\nKNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES\nPassion for tabletop gaming with an extensive TCG background.\nExceptional organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple, high priority projects with keen attention to detail.\nTeam Collaboration skills to be able to work in a professional, team-based environment.\nSuperior interpersonal, leadership, negotiating, consulting, presentation, analytical and problem-solving abilities.\nExcellent oral and written communication skills.\nProficient in the Microsoft 365 suite (advanced expertise with Excel)\nThe ability to create and maintain complex Microsoft Excel spreadsheets is a plus.\nGeneral Pop Culture knowledge and interest is preferred.\nAbility to perform duties under minimal supervision while exercising discretion and independent judgment when needed.\nHands on, energetic and motivated self-starter.\nAbility to travel domestically and internationally on behalf of Upper Deck","company":"Upper Deck","rawCompany":"upper deck","city":"Carlsbad","state":"CA","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-06-26T02:19:22.713Z","occupations":[{"code":"15-1255.01","title":"Video Game Designers","slug":"video-game-designers"},{"code":"15-1252.00","title":"Software Developers","slug":"software-developers"},{"code":"27-1024.00","title":"Graphic Designers","slug":"graphic-designers"}],"industries":[{"code":"713290","title":"Other Gambling Industries","slug":"other-gambling-industries"},{"code":"713210","title":"Casinos (except Casino Hotels)","slug":"casinos-except-casino-hotels"},{"code":"339930","title":"Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing","slug":"doll-toy-and-game-manufacturing"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Associate Game Developer","description":"SUMMARY Overview of the position\nThe Associate Game Developer (AGD) helps in the creation of unique and innovative Trading Card Game (TCG) and Collectable Card Game (CCG) products. With overall direction from the Sr Director of Game Development, the AGD assists in the conceptualization, development, and maintenance of product portfolios for TCG focused brands. The AGD may be asked to prepare and present product strategies and financial costing reports. The AGD also works alongside Brand and Project Managers in developing external licensing and business relationships.\n\nESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an individual assigned to this job. Other duties may be assigned.\nProduct Development:\nPortfolio Management – Works with the team to conceptualizes and manages the development of current and future TCG/CCG products meeting Upper Deck defined requirements.\nConsumer Experience – Able to identify the collectable and non-collectable drivers of a TCG including the pack opening experience, rarity structures, card technologies, and just overall vibes of opening a fun pack of cards.\nFinancial Responsibilities – Develops product P&L documentation to ensure that a product stays within budget and is profitable at launch.\nIntellectual Property Knowledge - Must be able to determine and report on the driving factors for any IP they oversee.\nLeadership – May be asked to take a leading role in all aspects of development for a particular product line.\n\nProduct Determination and Selection:\nIndustry Trends – Expected to research, anticipate, identify, and capitalize on TCG/CCG industry trends and value drivers.\nLine Plans - Works with the respective Sales and Brand teams to design a wide range of products for large and small distribution channels including private label programs, premiums and promotional items, direct marketing campaigns, mass market and limited-edition programs.\nNew Opportunities – Suggests new categories and products for TCG/CCG lines to maximize consumer demand.\n\nQuality Control/Ethics:\nCompliance – Ensures that a product is built considering quality and compliance standards.\nQuality Assurance – Must works closely with the Operation and Production teams to minimize manufacturing errors and delivery slippage.\n\nMarketing, Advertising, Promotion, and Solicitation Activity:\nMarketing Feedback - Provide input into Marketing/Advertising/PR campaigns as requested.\n\nSystems and Administration:\nProduct Documentation – Helps manage and maintain the accuracy of product documentation and communicates and changes throughout the organization.\n\nCommunication:\nCross Departmental Interaction - Responsible for keeping team members up to date with ranging developments for TCG/CCG initiatives acting as a liaison with other departments. Must provide initial directions on component layout and art design.\nExternal Party Collaboration – Must be able to be collaborative with outside parties by understanding all aspects of the design and production process.\n\nINTERACTION\nThe Associate Game Developer will interact with numerous departments within the company as well as external parties. The core team will consist of the TCG Game Development Coordinator, Game Designer, Game Developer, and Brand Managers. Graphic Design, Photo, Art, and Editorial departments will be consulted heavily to ensure that content is conveyed properly. Project Managers will be constantly consulted to keep tasks on schedule and to meet licensor requirements when applicable. Financial and Legal requirements will also need to be considered, and those departments will be consulted when necessary. The Associate Game Developer will collaborate with Customer Service as needed to help with customer issues. Lastly, may be asked to participate in live streams for various Upper Deck social media outlets to interact with collectors and the community.\n\nEDUCATION/YEARS EXPERIENCE\nBachelor’s Degree with an emphasis in Game Development and/or Design or a closely related field or equivalent experience.\nMathematics experience is also a plus.\n5+ years of experience with TCG/CCG style games.\n5+ years of experience with tabletop gaming.\nProfessional experience in the tabletop gaming industry is a plus\n\nREQUIREMENTS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.\nKNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES\nPassion for tabletop gaming with an extensive TCG background.\nExceptional organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple, high priority projects with keen attention to detail.\nTeam Collaboration skills to be able to work in a professional, team-based environment.\nSuperior interpersonal, leadership, negotiating, consulting, presentation, analytical and problem-solving abilities.\nExcellent oral and written communication skills.\nProficient in the Microsoft 365 suite (advanced expertise with Excel)\nThe ability to create and maintain complex Microsoft Excel spreadsheets is a plus.\nGeneral Pop Culture knowledge and interest is preferred.\nAbility to perform duties under minimal supervision while exercising discretion and independent judgment when needed.\nHands on, energetic and motivated self-starter.\nAbility to travel domestically and internationally on behalf of Upper Deck","datePosted":"2026-06-26T02:19:22.713Z","dateModified":"2026-06-26T02:19:22.713Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Upper Deck","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Carlsbad","addressRegion":"CA","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"e79e5e606148cd1ab08399e3"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/e79e5e606148cd1ab08399e3"}}