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Game Designer Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA (NOW HIRING)

2K

Senior Combat Designer (AI archetype)

Novato, CA · On-site

$119K - $128K/yr

As a Senior Combat Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will collaborate with an innovative team of ... Fluent with game development tools, and experience with pipelines, standards and workflows.

2K

Senior Combat Designer (AI archetype)

Novato, CA · On-site

$119K - $128K/yr

As a Senior Combat Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will collaborate with an innovative team of ... Fluent with game development tools, and experience with pipelines, standards and workflows.

2K

Senior Combat Designer (Encounters)

Novato, CA · On-site

$100K - $148K/yr

As a Senior Combat Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will be responsible for scripting and shaping ... Create and script engaging gameplay encounters that highlight the core systems and pacing of the ...

2K

Senior Combat Designer (Encounters)

Novato, CA · On-site

$100K - $148K/yr

As a Senior Combat Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will be responsible for scripting and shaping ... Create and script engaging gameplay encounters that highlight the core systems and pacing of the ...

2K

Producer

Novato, CA · On-site

$145K - $147K/yr

Designing and running processes for internal game evaluation, incorporating inputs from Publishing and QA to ensure we're delivering consistent and timely feedback to our development teams

2K

Producer

Novato, CA · On-site

$145K - $147K/yr

Designing and running processes for internal game evaluation, incorporating inputs from Publishing and QA to ensure we're delivering consistent and timely feedback to our development teams

Fabrion

Founding Designer

Bodega Bay, CA · On-site

Founding Designer Location: San Francisco Bay Area Type: Full-Time Compensation: Competitive salary + meaningful equity (founding tier) Backed by 8VC, we're building a world-class team to tackle one ...

First American

Instructional Designer

Santa Rosa, CA · Remote

$64K - $85K/yr

... designing training for adult audiences in a professional environment (commercial or corporate ... HTML, ActionSript or application/gaming design * Strong written and verbal communication skills

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All JobsGame Designer JobsGame Designer Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA

Game Designer information

See Santa Rosa, CA salary details

$51.4K

$170.6K

How much do game designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for game designer in Santa Rosa, CA is $163,035.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $169,500.00 and $169,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How do Game Designers typically collaborate with other departments during the development process?

Game Designers work closely with a variety of teams, including artists, programmers, sound designers, and producers, to bring a game concept to life. They are responsible for clearly communicating gameplay mechanics, story elements, and level design through detailed documentation and regular meetings. Collaboration often involves iterative feedback cycles, where designers must adapt their ideas based on technical constraints and creative input from colleagues. This teamwork ensures that the final product is cohesive and engaging, making strong communication and flexibility essential skills for success in this role.

How can I become a game designer?

To become a game designer, you typically need a background in game design, computer science, or a related field, along with strong creative and technical skills. Gaining experience through internships, building a portfolio of game projects, and proficiency with design tools like Unity or Unreal Engine can improve your chances. Many designers also pursue relevant certifications or degrees to enhance their qualifications.

What does a Game Designer do?

A Game Designer is responsible for creating the concepts, mechanics, storylines, and rules of video games. They work closely with other team members like artists, programmers, and writers to shape the gameplay experience and ensure it is engaging and balanced. Game Designers often create detailed documentation, prototypes, and playtests to refine their ideas throughout the development process. Their goal is to craft enjoyable, immersive, and interactive experiences that appeal to players.

Is game design a high paying job?

Game designers can earn competitive salaries, especially with experience, strong portfolios, and skills in industry-standard tools like Unity or Unreal Engine. Entry-level positions often pay less, but senior roles or those in large studios can offer high compensation, sometimes exceeding six figures annually.

What jobs are in game design?

Jobs in game design include roles such as game designer, level designer, narrative designer, and systems designer. These positions involve creating game concepts, mechanics, storylines, and user experiences, often requiring skills in programming, art, or storytelling. Additional roles include game artist, animator, and quality assurance tester, all contributing to the development process.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Game Designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Game Designer, you need a strong grasp of game mechanics, storytelling, and user experience, often supported by a degree in game design or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as Unity, Unreal Engine, and Adobe Creative Suite, as well as prototyping and scripting languages, is typically required. Creativity, collaboration, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for iterating ideas and working across multidisciplinary teams. These skills ensure the creation of engaging, playable games that resonate with players and meet project goals.

What do you do as a game designer?

A game designer creates the concepts, rules, and mechanics of a video game or tabletop game. They develop storylines, design levels, and collaborate with artists and programmers to bring the game to life, often using tools like Unity or Unreal Engine. Strong creativity, problem-solving skills, and understanding of player experience are essential in this role.

What is the difference between Game Designer vs Level Designer?

AspectGame DesignerLevel Designer
Primary FocusOverall game concept, mechanics, story, and player experienceDesign and layout of specific game levels or environments
Required SkillsCreative thinking, game mechanics, storytelling, scriptingLevel layout, environment design, spatial awareness, scripting
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with artists, programmers, writers across entire game developmentWorks closely with artists and programmers to craft individual levels
Common UsageUsed in game development teams across all genresPrimarily in level-based or environment-rich games

Game Designers focus on the overall game concept, mechanics, and player experience, while Level Designers specialize in creating specific game environments and levels. Both roles require collaboration and creative skills, but their scope and focus differ significantly.

What Is a Game Designer?

A Video Game Designer works closely with a video game design team to create computer and video games for specific gaming consoles. The Game Designer is the creative driving force behind the game and conceives the mechanics and layout. This can include the story, characters, levels, and scenarios of the game. Depending on the size of the project, the Game Designer may work on their own or with a large team. Some Game Designers may have a niche or specialty within the industry such as the type of game they like to make or a certain creative style.

More about Game Designer jobs
What job categories do people searching Game Designer jobs in Santa Rosa, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Game Designer jobs in Santa Rosa, CA are:
What cities near Santa Rosa, CA are hiring for Game Designer jobs? Cities near Santa Rosa, CA with the most Game Designer job openings:
Game Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Designer job openings in Santa Rosa, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Full Time, 33% Part Time, and 34% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $163,035 per year, or $78.4 per hour.

Senior Combat Designer (AI archetype)

Cloud Chamber

Novato, CA • On-site

$119K - $128K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
Cloud Chamber is a game development studio known for creating immersive experiences, and they are seeking a Senior Combat Designer to enhance AI characters and combat gameplay. The role involves collaborating with a team to develop interactive AI, maintain combat AI behavior, and ensure the creative vision is realized.
Responsibilities:
• Work with the Leads, Design Director, and the design team to pitch and develop interactive AI characters and execute the vision for the game.
• Act as the primary owner of AI and combat implementation in cross-disciplinary pods.
• Develop working prototypes of AI and combat scenarios.
• Communicate progress, workflows, and availability of AI and combat standards to content developers.
• Maintain and tune assigned combat AI behavior and parameters through to project completion.
• Create detailed and easy-to-follow design documentation.
• Collaborate across development sites in Novato and Montreal on a day-to-day basis.
• Expand and build on the ideas of player expression and emergent design experiences.
• Use your creativity to execute on design goals and solve design challenges that push our games forward.
• Participate in brainstorm sessions, refine, and execute on ideas within a schedule.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to execute on design implementation and problem solving.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Shipped at least one AAA title as a designer responsible for AI combatants.
• 5+ years professional experience in video game design.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working with a variety of established game toolsets.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively within cross-disciplinary groups and across multi-site team settings.
• Deep understanding of game mechanics, combat systems, and AI NPC design.
• Fluent with game development tools, and experience with pipelines, standards and workflows.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Current knowledge of gaming industry development landscape, technology and tools.
• Understanding of how AI, tactical space, and player verbs combine to create magic in both scripted and unscripted settings.
• In-depth knowledge of industry standard AI, progression systems, and player mechanics features.
• Proficiency in French is required.
• Proficiency in English is required to effectively collaborate with teams based in the United States.
Company:
Cloud Chamber is a gaming studio that develops video games and entertainment creation services. Founded in 2019, the company is headquartered in Montréal, CAN, with a team of 51-200 employees. The company is currently Growth Stage.

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