ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

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

2K

Senior Level Designer

Novato, CA · On-site

$100K - $148K/yr

As a Senior Level Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will be responsible for blocking out the world and ... Use Blueprint scripting to create gameplay content. * Design and block out world geometry.

Cloud Chamber

Senior Level Designer

Novato, CA · On-site

$100K - $148K/yr

As a Senior Level Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will be responsible for blocking out the world and ... Use Blueprint scripting to create gameplay content. * Design and block out world geometry.

Cloud Chamber

Senior Level Designer

Novato, CA · On-site

$100K - $148K/yr

As a Senior Level Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will be responsible for blocking out the world and ... Use Blueprint scripting to create gameplay content. * Design and block out world geometry.

2K

Senior Level Designer

Novato, CA

$100K - $148K/yr

As a Senior Level Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will be responsible for blocking out the world and ... Use Blueprint scripting to create gameplay content. * Design and block out world geometry.

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 ...

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 ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

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 Aug 9, 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.

Is there a high demand for game designers?

The demand for game designers is strong due to the growth of the gaming industry and increasing investment in new projects. Skills in programming, storytelling, and familiarity with design tools like Unity or Unreal Engine are highly valued, and opportunities are available across various platforms including mobile, PC, and consoles.

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.

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. Other related roles include game artist, animator, sound designer, and quality assurance tester.

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 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.

Is it hard to get a game designer job?

Getting a game designer job can be competitive, as it often requires a strong portfolio, proficiency in design tools like Unity or Unreal Engine, and relevant experience or education. Building a solid portfolio and networking within the industry can improve chances of employment, but entry-level positions may be accessible with the right skills and persistence.
More about Game Designer jobs
What are popular job titles related to Game Designer jobs in Santa Rosa, CA? For Game Designer jobs in Santa Rosa, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 47% Full Time, and 53% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $163,035 per year, or $78.4 per hour.

Senior Level Designer

2K

Novato, CA • On-site

$100K - $148K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

As a Senior Level Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will be responsible for blocking out the world and crafting the player experience within the stunning narrative experience and systems-driven world of BioShock. At your core you are collaborative, compassionate, and authentic; a dedicated designer with a passion for creating memorable, immersive player experiences. You will be an integral part of a design team that is breathing life into a new and fantastical world.
What You'll Do:
  • Use Blueprint scripting to create gameplay content.
  • Design and block out world geometry.
  • Collaborate closely with world architects on layout, and other teams as needed, to implement the creative vision of the project.
  • Take the initiative on solving difficult or novel cross-disciplinary sequences or sections of content, and see them through from initial conception to completion.
  • Work with multi-disciplinary strike teams to improve the game in various focus areas (combat, AI, progression, exploration, narrative, etc).
  • Apply your years of experience and knowledge to mentor junior designers and encourage them to grow their skills.
  • Design and implement other scripted and systemic content throughout the game world.

What We'll Do Together:
At Cloud Chamber, we are champions of high standards, pushing for progress and embracing change. We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams to realize our creative ambitions. Together, we will stay current on technological advancements and identify solutions to overcome developmental obstacles to deliver a world-class AAA experience.
Skills & Experiences:
  • Shipped at least one AAA title as a designer.
  • 5+ years professional experience in video game design.
  • Self-motivated with an eye for solution-based problem solving.
  • Previous experience with Unreal is a plus.
  • Able to collaborate well across time zones in a global, multi-site organization.
  • Able to work well independently, in small pods, and in larger collaborative teams.
  • Able to succinctly and effectively document your work.
  • Excellent communications skills.
  • Ability to prioritize tasks and handle opposing priorities.

Who You Are:
As a collaboratively minded designer you are eager to work with a global design team to pitch and develop playable game content. You are a dreamer and a creator who isn't shy about sharing your ideas. At Cloud Chamber we encourage design theory discourse and the free exchange of ideas. You're able to give constructive feedback, and receive it as well. You're a gamer; always playing the next, new thing, often revisiting the oldies as well, learning from what you've played, good and bad, and sharing your findings with the team.
  • A reliable, positive force multiplier, actively seeking opportunities to integrate work across disciplines and contribute to a healthy, supportive team environment.
  • A solid communicator with excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, package information for diverse audiences, and deliver difficult feedback with empathy and professionalism.
  • Experienced in working in cross-disciplinary teams with strong communication skills.
  • Persistent and self-motivated with a proactive mindset.
  • Able to maintain effectiveness and quality under pressure, ambiguity, and fast-changing priorities.
  • An active listener able to build and maintain trust-based relationships across all levels of the organization, understand differing perspectives, and navigate organizational complexity with tact and emotional intelligence.
  • Highly open to feedback and direction, possessing a desire to learn new skills, and capable of producing quick, quality revisions based on new insights or constraints.
  • A strong ownership of tasks, striving to drive work forward autonomously while maintaining a critical eye for detail and organization, ensuring high standards of quality.
  • Dedicated to upholding Cloud Chamber's core values, contributing to a positive and respectful company culture while striving for excellence in all endeavors.

Who We Are:
At Cloud Chamber we strive to make BioShock games that move people: evocative, immersive, and meaningful experiences that stay with you long after you've rolled credits. Great games are born from great collaborations, supported by a culture that brings out the best in our teams. We work openly, learn through play, take ownership, push ourselves to be better, and deliver for our players.
The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $100,200 and $148,320 USD per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program. Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company's discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses.
For candidates located in Quebec:This position requires professional proficiency in both French and English. Proficiency in English is required to collaborate with our U.S. teams and international partners, as well as to handle specialized technical documentation (reading, writing, and communication).
As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform their essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us if you need reasonable accommodation.
Please note that 2K Games and its studios never use instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews. When emailing prospective employees, we only use 2K.com accounts.

Apply