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Digital Game Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

MrBeast

Game Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$182K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Renowned for revolutionizing digital content creation, Beast Industries encompasses a diverse ... You'll design the mechanics, UI, UX, progression, and reward systems that power games and ...

MGA Entertainment

VP, Trading Card Games

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$200 - $250/hr

This leader will architect game design, rarity economics, organized play, manufacturing strategy ... Integrate digital elements (QR codes, AR, companion app, etc.) 3. Community & Organized Play

Mattel

Community Manager, Digital Games

El Segundo, CA · On-site

... engaging digital games. Our team is guided by industry leaders with decades of experience in ... Design, and Player Support to surface player feedback and enhance the game experience. What Your ...

Mattel

Community Manager, Digital Games

El Segundo, CA · On-site

... engaging digital games. Our team is guided by industry leaders with decades of experience in ... Design, and Player Support to surface player feedback and enhance the game experience. What Your ...

Festybay

3D Game Director job at Blizzard Entertainment

Irvine, CA · On-site

$136.88 - $253.26/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Provide clear, actionable feedback to the design pipelines, removing systemic roadblocks to enable ... A profound professional or personal passion for trading card games and digital collectible card ...

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All JobsDigital Game Design JobsDigital Game Design Jobs in California

Digital Game Design information

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How much do digital game design jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for digital game design in California is $50.66, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40.58 and $53.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is digital game design?

A Digital Game Design job involves creating the concepts, mechanics, and interactive elements of video games. Designers collaborate with artists, programmers, and writers to develop engaging gameplay experiences. They use game engines, scripting languages, and prototyping tools to bring their ideas to life. This role requires creativity, problem-solving, and an understanding of player engagement.

What types of projects or games might I work on as part of a digital game design team?

As a member of a digital game design team, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to a wide range of projects, including mobile games, console or PC titles, educational products, or virtual reality experiences. Your daily tasks may involve level design, character development, prototyping game mechanics, or collaborating on the user interface and sound design elements. Teams are often highly collaborative, requiring regular brainstorming sessions and tight coordination with artists, programmers, and producers. This diversity in project scope not only keeps the role engaging but also provides valuable experience across different genres and platforms, supporting your career growth in the gaming industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in digital game design, and why are they important?

To thrive in Digital Game Design, you need strong artistic ability, proficiency in design principles, and a solid understanding of game mechanics, usually supported by a degree in game design, computer science, or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard software like Unity or Unreal Engine, experience with 3D modeling tools (such as Blender or Maya), and knowledge of scripting languages are highly valued. Creativity, effective teamwork, attention to detail, and the ability to give and receive constructive feedback are important soft skills. Mastering these abilities ensures engaging, polished gameplay experiences and smooth collaboration within multidisciplinary teams.

Do digital game designers get paid well?

Digital game designers' salaries vary based on experience, location, and company size, but they generally earn competitive wages within the tech and entertainment industries. Entry-level designers may start with lower pay, while experienced professionals with strong skills in programming, art, or storytelling can earn higher salaries, especially in larger studios or with specialized expertise.

What are the most commonly searched types of Digital Game Design jobs in California?

The most popular types of Digital Game Design jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Digital Game Design jobs in California?

For Digital Game Design jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Digital Game Design jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Digital Game Design jobs in California are:

Digital Game Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Digital Game Design job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,368 per year, or $50.7 per hour.

Sr. Manager, Game Design - Unpublished R&D Product

Riot Games

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$206K - $289K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 21 days ago

Job description

As a Game Designer, you will design, tweak, and optimize the player experience. Your analytical skills, player insight, and creativity aid in crafting in- and out-of-game experiences that engage and surprise players. You will collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and work with every tool at hand to innovate and iterate player-focused designs that'll delight millions around the world.
As a Sr. Manager, Game Design on an unpublished R&D product, you will help decipher one of Riot's next big bets. You will help prove an innovative game concept in the early stages of development. You'll partner with other designers, artists, and engineers to innovate and iterate player-focused designs that aim at delivering a groundbreaking experience. As a you'll participate in the hiring process of the multiple design teams, manage the team to ensure consistent quality across all, and mentor designers in their professional development. You will report to the Director of Game Design on the team.
Responsibilities:
  • Build and manage multiple teams of designers spanning multiple design sub-disciplines.
  • Coach, manage, and mentor design teams tackling multiple design challenges
  • Work collaboratively with the design team and team leads to create a great holistic experience
  • Create clear design documentation that can be evaluated and implemented by non-designers
  • Help guide the project from pre-production to launch and ongoing live support
Required Qualifications:
  • 4+ years of experience managing design teams
  • 8+ years of professional experience working in game design or a similar field
  • Has owned major feature work including directing multi-discipline teams
  • Experience working in the early-prototype phase of development on at least one game
Desired Qualifications:
  • Experience with game engines (i.e. Unreal, Unity, etc.)

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise and a collaborative spirit that prioritizes the delight of players. We will look at your past studies and experience, but for this role, we also look for dedicated people with a personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about players' experiences, this is the role for you!
Our Perks:
Riot focuses on work/life balance, shown by our open paid time off policy and other perks such as flexible work schedules. We offer medical, dental, and life insurance, parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and children, and a 401k with company match. Check out our benefits pages for more information.
At Riot Games, we put players first. That mission drives every decision in our quest to create games and experiences that make it better to be a player. Whether you're working directly on a new player-facing experience or you're supporting the company as a whole, everyone at Riot is part of our mission. And just like in our games, we're better when we work together. Our goal is to create collaborative teams where you are empowered to bring your unique perspective everyday. If that sounds like the kind of place you want to work, we're looking forward to your application.
It's our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and members of Riot Games, Inc. Riot Games makes reasonable accommodations for handicapped and disabled Rioters and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, handicap, veteran status, marital status, criminal history, or any other category protected by applicable federal and state law. We consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the Washington Fair Chance Act.
Per the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the following core duties may create a basis for disqualifying candidates with relevant criminal histories:
  • Safeguarding confidential and sensitive Company data
  • Communication with others, including Rioters and third parties such as vendors, and/or players, including minors
  • Accessing Company assets, secure digital systems, and networks
  • Ensuring a safe interactive environment for players and other Rioters

These duties are directly related to essential operations, safety, trust, and compliance obligations within our organization. Please note that job duties may evolve based on business needs and additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to maintain operational efficiency and security.
(Los Angeles Only) Base salary range between $206,700.00 - $289,000.00 USD + incentive compensation + equity + 401K with company match + medical, dental, vision, and life insurance + short and long-term disability + open PTO.
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About Riot Games

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Riot Games was founded in 2006 by Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill with the intent to change the way video games are made and supported for players. In 2009, Riot released its debut title League of Legends to worldwide acclaim. The game has since gone on to become the most played PC game in the world and a key driver of the explosive growth of esports. Players are the foundation of our community and it's for them we continue to evolve and improve the League of Legends experience.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2006

Social media

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