Mobile Game Engineer (Volunteer)

Mentor A Promise is a New York City–based nonprofit serving children and youth (ages 5–18) experiencing housing instability, grounded in the belief that every child is a Promise—full of potential, dignity, and possibility. We deliver consistent, high-quality programming across mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, and creative expression in shelters, schools, and community spaces, creating structured environments where students can grow, be seen, and build lasting skills. Through signature experiences like The Imagination Studio, The Kitchen Table, The Sound Lab, and The Story Space, we nurture academic development, emotional well-being, and creative voice, all within a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and accessibility-centered framework. Our work prioritizes dignity-protective storytelling, consent-driven engagement, and deep community partnership, ensuring that how we serve is as intentional as whom we serve. We are not only addressing immediate needs - we are building pathways to confidence, belonging, and long-term opportunity, so every child has the support and foundation to carry their promise forward.

,

PromisePlay Studio, Product Strategy \& Management Division

Organization Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Location Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed

Type Volunteer

Reports to Morgan Hamilton, Project Manager

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit empowering youth experiencing housing instability through mentorship, education, and community. Our work is grounded in dignity, consistency, and the belief that every child deserves to be seen, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive.

About PromisePlay

We are developing a mobile game app designed to deliver social-emotional lessons to children ages 10-12 experiencing homelessness in NYC, within a fun and fantastical setting. The game blends creativity, empathy, and evidence-based concepts to create an engaging digital experience that supports learning, resilience, and connection. The team is composed of volunteer game designers, story developers, instructional designers, and artists.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Volunteer Mobile Game Developer/Engineer to help bring our game to life. You’ll collaborate with a small team of game designers and story developers to help build our mobile game app, tentatively titled “Phantom Train.”

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys both the technical and creative sides of game development and is excited by mission-driven work.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain core gameplay systems and features
• Build and maintain reusable, scalable code frameworks
• Implement game mechanics, UI, animations, and physics
• Optimize performance for mobile platforms (iOS and Android)
• Collaborate with designers and artists to bring concepts to life
• Debug and fix bugs, ensuring a smooth player experience
• Ensure code quality through testing, profiling, and reviews

Qualifications

• Experience developing and shipping mobile games or apps
• Strong understanding of game architecture and design patterns
• Experience with mobile optimization and performance tuning
• Familiarity with version control systems (e.g., Git)
• Ability to write clean, maintainable, and well-documented code

What We’re Looking For

• A problem-solver who can work independently and collaboratively
• Passion for games and player experience
• Strong communication skills and attention to detail

Commitment

• Volunteer role
• Approximately 5–10 hours per week
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred
• Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed

What You’ll Gain

• Hands-on experience developing a mission-driven educational game
• Collaboration with educators, researchers, and program leaders
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
• The opportunity to shape learning experiences for youth facing instability
• A meaningful role in advancing equity-centered education

How to Apply

Interested candidates must apply directly through Idealist and submit

• Resume (required)
• Cover letter (required) describing game development experience and interest in MAP’s mission
• Sample work (website, portfolio, etc.)

Closing Statement

This role holds the pieces together. From research to outreach to execution–help ensure every story is fully built before it’s told.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.