2

Entry Level Video Game Developer Jobs in Orange, CA

Anchor/Producer

Long Beach, CA ยท On-site

$130K - $132K/yr

... of programming that reflects the diversity of the many communities we serve - and our company ... May prepare written content, visual images, audio material and video footage for websites, blogs ...

Game Operations Intern

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$24.81 - $42.70/hr

Level Infinite also provides a wide range of services and resources to our network of developers ... Skills in video editing, graphic design, etc. * Familiarity with data analysis tools Location State ...

... they be creators, customers, developers, or viewers. In this role you will be focusing on ... Immerse yourself into the culture of Twitch, the video game industry, and our expanding repertoire ...

Senior Data Analyst

Los Angeles, CA ยท Remote

$109K - $171K/yr

Have deep passion for video games and think on behalf of our players * Be curious; a detail ... developer experience * Serve as a bridge between technical and non-technical teams and provide ...

Coding Instructor

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$18 - $20/hr

... and building video games they love. Kids have a blast and can't wait to come back. Parents are ... Do you enjoy teaching and building problem-solving skills in young engineering minds? Have you ...

Coding Instructor

Fountain Valley, CA ยท On-site

$12.75 - $16.75/hr

... and building video games they love. Kids have a blast and can't wait to come back. Parents are ... Do you enjoy teaching and building problem-solving skills in young engineering minds? Have you ...

Senior Data Analyst

Los Angeles, CA ยท Remote

$109K - $171K/yr

Have deep passion for video games and think on behalf of our players * Be curious; a detail ... developer experience * Serve as a bridge between technical and non-technical teams and provide ...

Senior Data Analyst

Los Angeles, CA ยท Remote

$109K - $171K/yr

Have deep passion for video games and think on behalf of our players * Be curious; a detail ... developer experience * Serve as a bridge between technical and non-technical teams and provide ...

Coding Instructor

Fountain Valley, CA ยท On-site

$12.50 - $16.50/hr

... and building video games they love. Kids have a blast and can't wait to come back. Parents are ... Do you enjoy teaching and building problem-solving skills in young engineering minds? Have you ...

Showing results 21-40

Entry Level Video Game Developer information

See Orange, CA salary details

$13

$19

$24

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

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level video game developer in Orange, CA is $19.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.98 and $21.59 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 cities near Orange, CA are hiring for Entry Level Video Game Developer jobs? Cities near Orange, CA with the most Entry Level Video Game Developer job openings:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Video Game Developer job openings in Orange, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 55% Full Time, 36% Part Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $41,234 per year, or $19.8 per hour.

Programming - (Various Disciplines) - Talent Pool (N America)

side

Los Angeles, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago


Job description

About This Opportunity:

Please note, this listing is not for an immediate open position but for our Talent Pool for Co-Development Roles. By applying, you are expressing interest in being considered for future project-based opportunities that align with your skills and experience.

These opportunities are contingent on client needs and project availability. As projects are initiated or client proposals are developed, we will review candidates from this pool and contact those who most closely align with the requirements of the specific or prospective co-development opportunity.

How We Keep You Engaged:

We believe in maintaining strong relationships with our talent pool. As part of this community, you’ll receive regular updates, industry insights, and will be kept informed of upcoming opportunities. We will also check in to confirm your availability and interest.

Our hiring teams will carefully vet and select top candidates who best meet project needs, ensuring that you are matched with the right opportunity when it becomes available.

Next Steps:

If you are passionate about contributing to cutting-edge projects and want to be considered for future co-development opportunities, we encourage you to apply to this listing. While there may not be an immediate opening, your application ensures that you will be part of our ongoing talent review for upcoming roles.

We are building a diverse and skilled pool of engineering talent in São Paulo to support current and future co-development projects across a wide variety of game genres and technical challenges. This is a general application for candidates with experience in AI, Gameplay, Systems, Tools, Engine, Animation, Networking, Live Ops, DevOps, or Cloud Services.
If you’re an engineer with a background in any of these areas or want to explore cross-functional opportunities, this is your invitation to get on our radar.

Only resumes submitted in English will be considered.

Requirements

Responsibilities
Depending on your area of expertise, you may:
•Design, build, and optimize gameplay systems, AI behaviors, animation pipelines, or core engine architecture
•Develop and maintain tools that empower content creators, designers, and QA teams
•Contribute to Live Ops, build pipelines, or deployment systems for scalable and stable game delivery
•Implement and refine networking, multiplayer architecture, or backend services for seamless player experiences
•Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to ensure smooth integration of art, design, and systems
•Profile and optimize performance, memory usage, and load times across platforms
•Troubleshoot bugs, resolve bottlenecks, and propose clean, maintainable solutions
Qualifications
Experience
•3 or more years of professional experience in engineering roles in games or related tech fields
•Shipped at least one title on PC, console, mobile, or VR/AR
•Experience in one or more areas such as gameplay, AI, tools, systems, engine, animation tech, backend services, cloud, or DevOps
Technical Skills
•Proficiency in C++, C#, Python, or equivalent languages
•Hands-on experience with Unity, Unreal Engine, or proprietary engines
•Familiarity with source control, debugging tools, performance profiling, and agile workflows
Collaboration and Communication
•Comfortable working in cross-functional teams with artists, designers, and producers
•Clear written and verbal communication for documenting and sharing technical solutions
Mindset
•Proactive, curious, and solution-oriented
•Passionate about games, scalable systems, and collaborative development
Preferred Skills
•Experience with AAA pipelines, real-time rendering, or platform certification
•Exposure to cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP and CI/CD pipelines
•Familiarity with Live Ops strategies, telemetry, and remote content deployment
•Prior co-dev experience or working with distributed teams

Note: Specific requirements may vary depending on project needs.
About the Talent Pool

This is a general engineering application. We encourage all qualified engineers to apply regardless of specialization. We regularly review this pool when staffing new or ongoing projects, so even if there isn’t an open role now, joining ensures you’ll be top of mind when client needs arise.

Please note, this listing is not for an immediate open position but for our Talent Pool for Co-Development Roles. By applying, you are expressing interest in being considered for future project-based opportunities that align with your skills and experience.

Benefits

  • Competitive Salary.
  • Dynamic, multicultural and fun environment.
  • You will be working for the world's leading provider of game services.
  • We empower our people and offer regular progression opportunities to ensure our employees flourish.

About Side

Side (formerly PTW) is a global video game development and services provider, offering technical and creative solutions to many of the largest developers and studios around the world. Founded in 2009 and drawing on 30+ years' experience from our parent company in Japan, Side has since grown to become a global force with 20 studios in 14 countries across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia.

Our industry-leading services include game development, art production, audio production, quality assurance, localization, localization QA, player support, community management, and datasets.

Help us bring stories to the world! Join a global team of passionate gamers and contribute to delivering unforgettable game experiences.

Experience our side of life. For more information, visit www.side.inc