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Concept Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

2K

Senior Concept Artist (Characters)

Novato, CA · On-site

$100K - $148K/yr

Collaborating with a passionate group of game developers you will be responsible for creating high ... Deliver high-fidelity concept art, with sufficient detail and clarity, that will serve as the ...

2K

Principal Concept Artist (Environments)

Novato, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

You will collaborate with a passionate group of game developers and be responsible for crafting ... Deliver high-fidelity concept art, with sufficient detail and clarity, that will serve as the ...

TriOptus LLC

Application Developer

San Jose, CA · On-site

... Concept and Architecture knowledge. • SAP S/4 HANA Code Remediation and Code Compliance ... Developer Studio. • Core data services, Object Oriented Programming, workflows, and OData ...

Redolent, Inc

Java Developer

Sunnyvale, CA

$59.75 - $77.50/hr

One of our direct client is urgently looking for a Java Developer @ Sunnyvale CA TITLE: Java ... Good understanding of the OOPS concept with excellent hands-on experience for multithreading ...

Redolent, Inc

Java Developer

Sunnyvale, CA

$59.75 - $77.50/hr

One of our direct client is urgently looking for a Java Developer @ Sunnyvale CA TITLE: Java ... Good understanding of the OOPS concept with excellent hands-on experience for multithreading ...

Redolent, Inc

Java Developer

Sunnyvale, CA

$59.75 - $77.50/hr

One of our direct client is urgently looking for a Java Developer @ Sunnyvale, CA TITLE: Java ... Good understanding of the OOPS concept with excellent hands-on experience for multithreading ...

Redolent, Inc

Java Developer

Sunnyvale, CA

$59.75 - $77.50/hr

Strong skills in Java, J2EE programming, Spring Framework and design techniques and web applications/REST APIs Good understanding of the OOPS concept with excellent hands-on experience for ...

Redolent, Inc

Java Developer

Sunnyvale, CA

$59.75 - $77.50/hr

Strong skills in Java, J2EE programming, Spring Framework and design techniques and web applications/REST APIs Good understanding of the OOPS concept with excellent hands-on experience for ...

FluidLogic

Product Developer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$135K - $145K/yr

Own product development from concept, prototyping, validation, and ramp to mass production * Collaborate with industrial design, engineering, and manufacturing partners to ensure designs are ...

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Concept Developer information

See California salary details

$29.9K

$75.6K

$143K

How much do concept developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for concept developer in California is $75,605.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,753.00 and $86,661.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

A concept developer can potentially earn $10,000 or more per month by creating innovative ideas, prototypes, and strategies for products or brands, often working independently or as a consultant. Success depends on experience, portfolio, and industry demand, with skills in creativity, design, and project management being valuable. High earnings are typically associated with freelance or entrepreneurial work rather than traditional employment.

What is the difference between Concept Developer vs Product Designer?

AspectConcept DeveloperProduct Designer
Required CredentialsTypically a degree in design, marketing, or related fields; strong creative portfolioDesign degree or related certification; proficiency in design tools
Work EnvironmentCreative teams, R&D departments, innovation labsDesign studios, tech companies, product teams
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in innovation, marketing, and product development sectorsCommon in tech, consumer goods, and digital product industries
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in concept creation and early-stage developmentFocus on designing and refining user-centered products

While both roles involve creativity and innovation, Concept Developers focus on generating new ideas and concepts for products or services, often in early development stages. Product Designers, on the other hand, concentrate on designing and refining the user experience and visual aspects of a product. Both roles collaborate closely but serve different phases of the product lifecycle.

What is a Concept Developer?

A Concept Developer is a professional who creates, refines, and presents new ideas or concepts for products, services, or projects. They work closely with teams across design, marketing, and business development to turn abstract ideas into clear, actionable plans. Concept Developers conduct research, analyze trends, and ensure that concepts align with company goals and market needs. Their role is vital in the early stages of innovation, helping organizations bring fresh ideas to life.

What jobs in the US pay 300,000 a year?

For a Concept Developer, high-paying roles often include senior-level positions such as creative directors, product managers, or innovation leads, especially in large corporations or tech firms. These roles typically require extensive experience, strong project management skills, and a proven ability to develop innovative concepts, with salaries reaching or exceeding $300,000 annually in competitive markets.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Concept Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Concept Developer, you need strong creative thinking, market research abilities, and a background in design, marketing, or product development. Familiarity with tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, prototyping software, and trend analysis platforms is often required. Excellent communication, collaboration, and presentation skills help differentiate top performers in this role. These skills are crucial for generating innovative ideas, aligning stakeholders, and bringing successful concepts to market.

What does a concept developer do?

A concept developer creates and develops new ideas, concepts, or prototypes for products, services, or projects. They often collaborate with design, engineering, and marketing teams, using skills in creativity, research, and visualization tools to turn concepts into actionable plans. Their work helps guide the development process and ensures innovative solutions align with project goals.

How does a Concept Developer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a project?

As a Concept Developer, you will regularly work alongside teams such as marketing, product development, design, and engineering. Collaboration often involves brainstorming sessions, presenting initial concepts, and gathering feedback to refine your ideas. You'll also participate in project meetings to ensure your concepts align with business goals and technical feasibility. Effective communication and adaptability are key, as you'll need to translate creative visions into actionable plans that resonate with various stakeholders.

Is there a high demand for concept artists?

Concept developers, including concept artists, are in steady demand in industries such as video games, film, and animation, especially as these sectors grow and seek innovative visual designs. Strong skills in digital illustration, 3D modeling, and familiarity with tools like Photoshop or Blender can enhance job prospects, with opportunities often available on freelance and full-time bases.
What are popular job titles related to Concept Developer jobs in California? For Concept Developer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Concept Developer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Concept Developer jobs in California are:
Concept Developer jobs near you
Senior Concept Artist (Characters)

Senior Concept Artist (Characters)

2K

Novato, CA • On-site

$100K - $148K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

As a Senior Character Concept Artist at Cloud Chamber, you will join our talented development team to help ideate the stunning, stylized characters that will inhabit the world of BioShock. Collaborating with a passionate group of game developers you will be responsible for creating high-fidelity art that conceptualizes the look and feel of our game world, and pushes the boundaries of the Visual Art Direction for the game. To ensure a cohesive look across the project you will partner with the Character Art and Tech Art teams as well as other concept artists, and explore the realization of gameplay paces with the Design team, ultimately bringing the richly imagined world of BioShock to life.
What You'll Do:
  • Create detailed, stylized Character Art concepts.
  • Deliver high-fidelity concept art, with sufficient detail and clarity, that will serve as the reference for the Character Art team to execute upon, without ambiguity.
  • Quickly iterate detailed line art character designs.
  • Create paintovers for 3D visualization to help push the limits of the designs.
  • Storyboard as needed to clarify concepts and pitches.
  • Assist in the creation of marketing art and in-game 2D assets when needed.
  • Follow Art Direction and provide solutions to drive excellence and elevate our standards.
  • Brainstorm ideas for characters with Design and Art teams.
  • Sketch explorative thumbnails in 2D and 3D.
  • Proactively identify complex visual or pipeline bottlenecks before they impact production.
  • Continuously explore and propose visual innovations that evolve the Art Direction while staying within the established project constraints.

What We'll Do Together:
At Cloud Chamber, we are champions of high standards, pushing for progress and embracing change. We will work closely and constructively across Design, Art, Narrative, and Engineering teams to ensure environmental concepts support both the narrative "look and feel" and functional gameplay requirements. Together, we will stay current on technological advancements and identify solutions to overcome developmental obstacles, bridging the gap between artistic vision and technical constraints.
Skills & Experiences:
  • Degree in Fine Art or related work experience.
  • 5+ years of experience in games.
  • Contributed to one AAA title in the role of concept artist.
  • Able to quickly iterate on ideas visually, graciously give and receive constructive feedback, and take direction well.
  • Excellent fundamentals in Human Anatomy.
  • Stylistically versatile, able to faithfully recreate elements of popular and commercial art from multiple eras, and innovate on new ideas.
  • Expertise and knowledge of the AAA Game Concept Art pipeline.
  • Fluent in 2D editing/illustration packages such as Illustrator, Photoshop.
  • BONUS: Fluent with 3D modeling and animation packages such as Maya, 3ds Max, etc.

Who You Are:
  • A reliable, positive force multiplier, actively seeking opportunities to integrate work across disciplines and contribute to a healthy, supportive team environment.
  • A solid communicator with excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, package information for diverse audiences, and deliver difficult feedback with empathy and professionalism.
  • A persistent and self-motivated person with a proactive mindset.
  • Able to maintain effectiveness and quality under pressure, ambiguity, and fast-changing priorities.
  • An active listener able to build and maintain trust-based relationships across all levels of the organization, understand differing perspectives, and navigate organizational complexity with tact and emotional intelligence.
  • Highly open to feedback and direction, possessing a desire to learn new skills, and capable of producing quick, quality revisions based on new insights or constraints.
  • A strong owner of your tasks, who strives to drive their work forward autonomously while maintaining a critical eye for detail and organization, ensuring high standards of quality.
  • Dedicated to upholding Cloud Chamber's core values, contributing to a positive and respectful company culture while striving for excellence in all endeavors.

Who We Are:
At Cloud Chamber we strive to make BioShock games that move people: evocative, immersive, and meaningful experiences that stay with you long after you've rolled credits. Great games are born from great collaborations, supported by a culture that brings out the best in our teams. We work openly, learn through play, take ownership, push ourselves to be better, and deliver for our players.
The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $100,200 - $148,320 per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program. Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company's discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses.
For candidates located in Quebec:
  • Proficiency in French is required.
  • Proficiency in English is required to effectively collaborate with teams based in the United States.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform their essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us if you need reasonable accommodation.
Please note that 2K Games and its studios never use instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews. When emailing prospective employees, we only use 2K.com accounts.

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