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Entry Level Video Game Developer Jobs in California

Integrated Resources INC

Video Technician

San Jose, CA · On-site

Candidate should have some understanding of content and programming rights whether video, music, games or books. Candidate will monitor video feeds, check VOD playback and metadata, update via ticket ...

Karla's Pet Care, LLC

Pet sitter Elk Grove only

Elk Grove, CA · On-site

$14.75 - $20/hr

Stay at home moms, full time careers, video game programmers, college students, veterinary technicians, teachers, retired state employees, retired Here is what we ask you to do: Between the hours of ...

Karla's Pet Care, LLC

Pet Sitter

Elk Grove, CA · On-site

$16/hr

Moms, empty nesters, video game programmers, college students, Vet techs, teachers, retired Here is what we ask you to do: *Available 7 am-10 am and/or 5 pm-8 pm on weekends and holidays *Drive to ...

Karla's Pet Care, LLC

Pet Sitter

Elk Grove, CA · On-site

$14.75 - $20/hr

Moms, empty nesters, video game programmers, college students, Vet techs, teachers, retired Here is what we ask you to do: *Available 7 am-10 am and/or 5 pm-8 pm on weekends and holidays *Drive to ...

AEG

Seasonal Video Logger (Part-time)

Woodland Hills, CA · On-site

$18/hr

... game time/dates.) * Collaborate with the Video Producer, Media Asset Manager, and Production Engineer to maintain a comprehensive media archive for use in weekly social content, studio shows, and ...

Naughty Dog

SDET Programmer

Santa Monica, CA

Minimum of 1 shipped AAA game * Minimum of 3 years working in the video game industry * Bachelor's degree in Game Development, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field Bonus Skills:

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 ...

IGN

News Editor, IGN

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

Interview developers, gamers, executives, actors and anyone else involved in a hot story about the latest video game or movie, whether that's on the phone or via video call. * Cover press events and ...

Naughty Dog

Core Tech Programmer

Santa Monica, CA

As a core tech programmer at Naughty Dog, you will experience total project ownership: talk ... Minimum of 3 years working in the video game industry * Minimum of 1 shipped AAA game * B.S. in ...

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All JobsEntry Level Video Game Developer JobsEntry Level Video Game Developer Jobs in California

Entry Level Video Game Developer information

See California salary details

$12

$18

$22

How much do entry level video game developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level video game developer in California is $18.31, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.59 and $19.90 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

AspectEntry Level Video Game DeveloperJunior Game Programmer
Required CredentialsDegree in Computer Science, Game Design, or related fieldDegree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field
Work EnvironmentGame studios, tech companies, freelance projectsGame studios, tech companies, internship programs
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly used in gaming industry for entry rolesOften used interchangeably, focusing on coding tasks

Entry Level Video Game Developers and Junior Game Programmers often share similar educational backgrounds and work environments. The main difference lies in terminology; 'Entry Level Video Game Developer' emphasizes a broader role involving design and development, while 'Junior Game Programmer' focuses more specifically on coding tasks. Both roles serve as starting points in the gaming industry, with overlapping skills and responsibilities.

What is an entry level video game developer?

An entry level video game developer is a professional who helps design, code, and test video games, usually as part of a larger development team. These developers often work on specific tasks such as programming game features, fixing bugs, or creating basic game assets under the supervision of more experienced developers. Entry level positions are ideal for recent graduates or those new to the industry, providing hands-on experience with game development tools, engines, and workflows. Over time, entry level developers can advance to more specialized or senior roles as they gain experience.

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

To thrive as an Entry Level Video Game Developer, you need a solid grasp of programming languages (such as C++, C#, or Python), basic software engineering principles, and a relevant degree or portfolio of game projects. Familiarity with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, version control systems like Git, and possibly certifications in game development are commonly expected. Creativity, problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication help you stand out in collaborative, fast-paced development environments. These skills are crucial to efficiently creating engaging games, meeting project deadlines, and contributing effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

What are the most common challenges faced by entry level video game developers when joining a new project team?

Entry level video game developers often encounter challenges such as adapting to the team's workflow, learning proprietary tools or engines, and understanding the existing codebase. Collaborating effectively with designers, artists, and senior developers can also be a learning curve, as clear communication is essential for integrating features and gameplay elements. Over time, new developers gain confidence by asking questions, actively participating in team meetings, and taking on small tasks that gradually build their skills and familiarity with the project.
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Video Game Developer jobs in California? For Entry Level Video Game Developer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Video Game Developer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Video Game Developer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level Video Game Developer jobs? Cities in California with the most Entry Level Video Game Developer job openings:
Entry Level Video Game Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Video Game Developer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Locum Tenens, 5% As Needed, 37% Full Time, 46% Part Time, 8% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,094 per year, or $18.3 per hour.
Front-End/UI Engineer - Egofold (Junior to Mid-Level)

Front-End/UI Engineer - Egofold (Junior to Mid-Level)

Snail Games USA

Culver City, CA • On-site, Remote

$100K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday

Job description

Location: Los Angeles Area (Hybrid)Salary: $100,000 – $150,000 Annually

About Snail Games USA

Snail Games strives to create the new high bar for gameplay experience in online gaming. We have been a global developer and publisher of digital entertainment since 2009 and are committed to pushing the boundaries of the industry.

About Egofold

Egofold is an AI initiative within Snail Games focused on building a modular AI “brain” ecosystem for NPC intelligence, real-time perception systems, and simulation tooling across multiple game projects.

About the Role

We are seeking a Front-End/UI Engineer to design and build the interfaces through which users interact with Egofold’s agent systems. This includes internal tools for developers and designers, as well as future user-facing systems for configuring and controlling AI agents.

This role is not focused on static UI implementation alone. You will help define how complex AI systems—such as agent state, memory, decision-making, and training workflows—are exposed in intuitive, usable ways. The goal is to make powerful systems understandable and controllable.

Responsibilities

  • Design and implement user interfaces for interacting with AI agents, simulation tools, and system outputs

  • Translate complex system state (agent reasoning, memory, perception) into clear, usable visual representations

  • Build responsive, real-time Front-End & UI components for monitoring and controlling agents

  • Collaborate closely with Tools, AI, and Systems engineers to define workflows and user interactions

  • Contribute to design decisions around usability, clarity, and interaction models

  • Iterate on interfaces based on internal usage and feedback

Minimum Requirements

  • Strong experience building modern UIs (web or desktop) using frameworks such as React, Vue, or similar

  • Ability to design intuitive interfaces for complex or technical systems

  • Experience working with real-time data or interactive systems

  • Strong understanding of UX principles and usability

  • Proficiency in JavaScript/TypeScript and frontend architecture

Nice to Have

  • Experience building tools for developers, designers, or technical users

  • Familiarity with game engines, simulation tools, or AI systems

  • Experience visualizing complex system state (graphs, timelines, debugging tools)

  • Interest in human-AI interaction or agent interfaces

Why Join the Studio Sirens Team?

  • True focus on work/life balance

  • Paid company holidays, vacation, and separate sick leave

  • Medical, dental, vision, and Life/LTD

  • 401k with company match

Work Authorization Requirements

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. This position does not offer visa sponsorship now or in the future (including H-1B).

Additional Information

As part of the Company’s activities in video game development, publishing, and short-form video content creation, certain projects, discussions, or creative materials may include themes, visuals, language, or subject matter that some individuals could find mature, violent, sexual, graphic, or otherwise sensitive in nature (collectively referred to as “Mature Content”). Examples may include, but are not limited to, depictions or descriptions of combat, violence, adult themes or relationships, suggestive or satirical humor, or strong language. Employees are expected to engage with such material in a professional and creative context as part of their job duties.