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Contractual Unreal Engine Developer Jobs in California

Eliassen Group

Unreal Engine Developer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$65 - $75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Hybrid 3 days preferred, flex in San Diego, CA Our client seeks a seasoned Unreal Engine Developer to build developer tooling and panels that run inside Unreal Engine to support animation and live ...

Magnopus

Unreal Cinematic Pipeline Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

$130K - $190K/yr

Magnopus is looking for an Unreal Cinematic Pipeline Engineer to help build and maintain the tools and workflows that connect Unreal Engine with modern cinematic production pipelines. As a spatial ...

Qualitest Group

CI/CD Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$110K - $120K/yr

... on Unreal Engine. You'll work across the stack, from low-level engine code to developer-facing tools, improving the XR development experience on Meta's platforms. This role requires strong ...

Unbroken Studios

Lead Engine Programmer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

Description We are looking for an exceptionally talented senior programmer who is ready for the ... Unreal Engine 3 or 4 experience a big advantage. * Experience working with modern games consoles ...

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Contractual Unreal Engine Developer information

Is Unreal Engine a good career?

A career as an Unreal Engine developer involves working with real-time 3D graphics, game development, and interactive experiences, often requiring skills in C++ and Blueprint visual scripting. The field offers opportunities in gaming, film, architecture, and simulation industries, with demand driven by technological advancements and project complexity.

What is the difference between Contractual Unreal Engine Developer vs Game Programmer?

AspectContractual Unreal Engine DeveloperGame Programmer
Required CredentialsProficiency in Unreal Engine, C++, and game development toolsProficiency in programming languages like C++, C#, and game engines
Work EnvironmentTypically freelance or project-based, working remotely or on-site for game studiosOften employed full-time at game studios or tech companies
Industry UsageUsed in game development, VR/AR projects, and interactive mediaUsed across gaming, simulation, and interactive applications

The main difference is that a Contractual Unreal Engine Developer specializes specifically in Unreal Engine for project-based work, while a Game Programmer may work with various engines and programming languages across different projects. Both roles require strong programming skills, but the Unreal Engine Developer focuses on Unreal-specific tools and workflows.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contractual Unreal Engine developer?

To thrive as a Contractual Unreal Engine Developer, you need strong proficiency in C++ programming, 3D mathematics, and experience with Unreal Engine's Blueprint system, typically supported by a degree in computer science or related field. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, Unreal Engine certification, and knowledge of game development pipelines are commonly required. Excellent problem-solving, time management, and communication skills help navigate remote or freelance team environments and client expectations. These skills and qualities are vital for delivering high-quality, efficient solutions in a competitive and collaborative project-based setting.

What is a contractual Unreal Engine developer?

A Contractual Unreal Engine Developer is a professional hired on a temporary or project-based contract to design, develop, and optimize interactive experiences using Unreal Engine. This role typically involves creating 3D environments, programming gameplay mechanics, and working closely with artists and designers to bring projects to life. Contractual developers may work remotely or on-site, often for game studios, architectural visualization firms, or companies requiring real-time 3D solutions. Their contracts can range from a few weeks to several months, depending on project needs.

How much do contractual Unreal Engine developers make?

Contractual Unreal Engine developers typically earn between $30 and $80 per hour, depending on experience, project complexity, and location. Skilled developers with expertise in C++ and Blueprint visual scripting may command higher rates, especially for specialized or high-demand projects.

What are some common challenges faced by contractual Unreal Engine developers, and how can they be addressed?

Contractual Unreal Engine Developers often face challenges such as quickly adapting to existing codebases, meeting tight project deadlines, and efficiently collaborating with remote teams. To address these, it's important to maintain clear, proactive communication with project managers and team members, and to thoroughly document your work. Utilizing version control tools and familiarizing yourself with the project's technical standards early on can also help ensure smooth integration and successful delivery within the contract period.

What are the most commonly searched types of Unreal Engine Developer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Unreal Engine Developer jobs in California are:

Contractual Unreal Engine Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contractual Unreal Engine Developer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 50% In-person, and 50% Remote job distribution.

Unreal Engine Developer

Eliassen Group

San Diego, CA • On-site

$65 - $75/hr

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

Description:

Hybrid 3 days preferred, flex in San Diego, CA

Our client seeks a seasoned Unreal Engine Developer to build developer tooling and panels that run inside Unreal Engine to support animation and live action workflows. The role emphasizes C++ development for Unreal plugins, thoughtful tool design for artists, and an ability to understand production sequences and pipelines. You will collaborate with a tight, cohesive team and contribute to a multi‑year initiative related to studio work in Los Angeles. The engagement starts as a one‑year contract with potential for extension. Conversion may be considered based on performance and mutual interest.

We can facilitate w2 and corp-to-corp consultants. For our w2 consultants, we offer a great benefits package that includes Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits, 401k with company matching, and life insurance.

Rate: $65.00 to $75.00/hr. w2

Responsibilities:
  • Design and develop Unreal Engine plugins and in‑engine panels in C++ to support animation and live action production workflows.
  • Build tools that integrate with existing pipelines and are intuitive for artists and technical users.
  • Leverage AI‑enabled development practices and call external libraries and services where appropriate, including Python integrations when needed.
  • Collaborate with engineers and artists to define requirements and iterate on tool usability and performance.
  • Ensure code quality, testability, and maintainability across plugins and tooling.
  • Troubleshoot performance and sequencing issues within Unreal projects.
Experience Requirements:
  • Strong C++ experience with shipped tools or plugins inside Unreal Engine.
  • Hands‑on experience creating in‑engine UI panels or editor extensions for production use.
  • Understanding of animation pipelines, sequencing concepts, and how artists work within Unreal.
  • Background using or integrating AI‑powered libraries and services. Ability to call models and APIs without building new models.
  • Ability to integrate Python or other scripting where appropriate.
  • Creative problem solver with solid mathematics foundation and demonstrated depth of thinking.
  • Senior‑level experience preferred. Able to communicate tradeoffs and mentor junior contributors.
Recruitment Transparency Notice
 
Eliassen Group values transparency in our recruitment practices. Please be advised that Eliassen Group utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) tools as part of its initial application screening and hiring process. You may receive email and SMS notifications from the Eliassen Virtual Recruiting Team (noreply@eliassen.com, 781-808-2924) inviting you to complete a brief voice screening as part of your application process. These tools assist our hiring teams in different ways, including but not limited to, assistance in reviewing application materials to help identify candidates whose qualifications most closely match the requirements of the position. All AI-assisted evaluations and responses are reviewed by human recruiters before any hiring decisions are made. The use of AI in our process is intended to support fairness, efficiency, and consistency, and Eliassen Group takes measures to prevent bias or discrimination in connection with its hiring practices. By proceeding, you acknowledge, agree, and consent to Eliassen Group’s use of these tools, including AI tools, as part of the application and hiring process.
 

Skills, experience, and other compensable factors will be considered when determining pay rate. The pay range provided in this posting reflects a W2 hourly rate; other employment options may be available that may result in pay outside of the provided range.W2 employees of Eliassen Group who are regularly scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week are eligible for the following benefits: medical (choice of 3 plans), dental, vision, pre-tax accounts, other voluntary benefits including life and disability insurance, 401(k) with match, and sick time if required by law in the worked-in state/locality.If anyone reaches out to you about an open position connected with Eliassen Group, please ensure that you are working directly with us by confirming the following:

· When you work with Eliassen Group, all email communication will come from an Eliassen.com address, never Gmail, Yahoo, etc.

· Eliassen Group will never ask you for personal information (home address, bank account, or check routing number) until you have worked with someone clearly associated with Eliassen Group.

If you have any indication of fraudulent activity, please contact fraud@eliassen.com.

 
About Eliassen Group:
 
Eliassen Group is a strategic consulting firm that helps organizations reach further and achieve more through our technology, business advisory, and life sciences solutions. For nearly 40 years, we have combined exceptional people, deep domain expertise, and intelligent capabilities to expand our clients’ capacity and accelerate meaningful outcomes. We are driven by a purpose to positively impact the lives of our employees, clients, consultants, and the communities we serve.
 
Eliassen is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We are an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and all employment decisions are based on merit, performance, and business needs. Eliassen does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender identity or expression, sexual preference or orientation, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), marital status, creed, religion, physical or mental disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, age, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, prohibited criminal record inquiries of applicants and employees, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local laws.
 
Don’t miss out on our referral program! If we hire a candidate that you refer us to then you can be eligible for a $1,000 referral check!
 
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About Eliassen Group

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Eliassen Group provides strategic consulting and talent solutions to drive our clients' innovation and business results. Our purpose is to positively impact the lives of our employees, clients, consultants, and the communities in which we operate. Leveraging over 30 years of success, our expertise in talent solutions, life sciences consulting, Agile consulting, cloud services, risk management, business optimization, and managed services enables us to partner with our clients to execute their business strategy and scale effectively. Headquartered in Reading, MA, and with offices from coast to coast, Eliassen Group offers local community presence and deep networks, as well as national reach.

Industry

It services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Reading, MA, US

Year founded

1989

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