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Entry Level Game Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

PlayStation Global

Game Test Analyst

San Diego, CA

This is an entry level role and great for a recent grad! Game Testers at SIE are responsible for finding and replicating bugs/glitches and accurately reporting them to the game developers. The ideal ...

PlayStation Global

Game Test Analyst

San Diego, CA · On-site

$17.75 - $18/hr

This is an entry level role and great for a recent grad! Game Testers at SIE are responsible for finding and replicating bugs/glitches and accurately reporting them to the game developers. The ideal ...

Evolver

GenAI Engineer (Python)

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

About Us: We're an innovative tech startup on a mission to change the game in professional services ... Role Overview: We're looking for a motivated Software Developer who's ready to jump into the world ...

Evolver

GenAI Engineer (Python)

Palo Alto, CA

About Us: We're an innovative tech startup on a mission to change the game in professional services ... Role Overview: We're looking for a motivated Software Developer who's ready to jump into the world ...

Evolver

GenAI Engineer (Python)

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

About Us: We're an innovative tech startup on a mission to change the game in professional services ... Role Overview: We're looking for a motivated Software Developer who's ready to jump into the world ...

Lil' Kickers of Vacaville

Coach

Vacaville, CA

$20 - $23/hr

Responsibilities * Entry Level - no prior coaching experience necessary. Training provided ... games and activities. * Adhere to safety guidelines outlined for Lil Kickers programming. * Set up ...

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Entry Level Game Developer information

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$32.1K

$107K

$177.6K

How much do entry level game developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level game developer in California is $107,050.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,400.00 and $122,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level game developers when working on their first projects?

Entry level game developers often encounter challenges such as balancing creative ideas with technical limitations, adapting to collaborative workflows, and managing tight deadlines. Learning to navigate large codebases, understanding version control systems, and effectively communicating with designers, artists, and senior programmers are key aspects of the role. Overcoming these hurdles requires a willingness to learn, ask questions, and seek feedback from teammates, which helps foster both technical and interpersonal growth within a supportive game development environment.

What Does an Entry-Level Game Developer Do?

As an entry-level game developer, your responsibilities revolve around programming the algorithms and code that control video games. Your duties are to develop action sequences in games, graphical user interfaces, and other basic tools that allow seamless gameplay. You must be conscious of console or computer requirements, such as memory usage and graphics chip limitations, and you should be able to identify and fix glitches in the game quickly. You work closely with other programmers and QA testers to ensure that you deal with these issues systematically.

What is the difference between Entry Level Game Developer vs Junior Game Programmer?

AspectEntry Level Game DeveloperJunior Game Programmer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science, Game Design, or related fieldBachelor's in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field
Work EnvironmentGame studios, indie developers, or freelance projectsGame development teams, software companies, or indie studios
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly used in gaming industry for entry rolesOften used interchangeably with Entry Level Game Developer in job listings
Common Search & Comparison IntentYesYes

Both roles typically require a bachelor's degree in a related field and involve working in game development environments. While the titles may differ slightly, they often refer to similar entry-level positions focused on coding, debugging, and supporting game projects. The main difference lies in terminology preference among employers, but both roles serve as starting points for a career in game programming.

What does an Entry Level Game Developer do?

An Entry Level Game Developer assists in the creation and implementation of video games by writing code, debugging, and collaborating with other team members such as artists and designers. They typically work under the supervision of senior developers and are often responsible for smaller features or specific tasks within a larger project. Their work may include programming gameplay mechanics, fixing bugs, and learning new tools and technologies used in game development. This role is an excellent starting point for those looking to gain experience and grow within the gaming industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Game Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Game Developer, you need a solid understanding of programming languages like C++ or C#, basic game design principles, and typically a degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine, version control systems like Git, and basic graphic or animation tools is highly beneficial. Creativity, teamwork, problem-solving, and effective communication are key soft skills that help you collaborate and adapt in dynamic development environments. These skills ensure you can efficiently contribute to game projects, meet technical requirements, and work well within multidisciplinary teams.
More about Entry Level Game Developer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Game Developer jobs in California? The most popular types of Game Developer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Game Developer jobs in California? For Entry Level Game Developer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Game Developer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Game Developer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level Game Developer jobs? Cities in California with the most Entry Level Game Developer job openings:
Entry Level Game Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Game Developer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 35% Full Time, 59% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,050 per year, or $51.5 per hour.
[2026] Software Engineer, Game Developer

[2026] Software Engineer, Game Developer

Roblox

San Mateo, CA • On-site

Other

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

As a Software Engineer in our Creator group, you will push the envelope of what's possible in top and emerging experiences on Roblox. You'll focus on prototyping, deploying solutions with external development studios and iterating with cutting edge engine features. You'll ultimately have a strong influence on our engine roadmap and APIs.

You Will:

  • Serve as a trusted technical advisor to external game development studios, helping them optimize performance, scalability, and quality.
  • Work deeply on prototypes that push the boundaries of what our engine can support, contributing large amounts of Luau code to demonstrate the feasibility of various game modes.
  • Identify, articulate, and advocate for core engine, performance and debugging tooling projects.
  • Collaborate closely with other engineers in the Solutions team, the core engine and Roblox Studio teams to shape the future of the platform.
  • Create demos and technical tutorials that serve as production-ready blueprints for the broader developer community.

You Have:

  • Pursuing or possess an undergraduate/graduate degree in computer science, engineering, a related technical field, or an equivalent practical experience
  • Proficiency in one or more programming languages such as Lua, Luau, C# or C++ 
  • Excellent problem-solving and communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts into understandable and compelling guides and documentation 
  • Roblox development experience is required
  • A track record of quality game(s) on the Roblox platform is required

You may redact age, date of birth, and dates of attendance/graduation from your resume if you prefer.

Apply