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Game Developer Apprentice Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The team partners closely with design, engineering, packaging, and brand teams to bring ideas to ... Completion of a certified apprenticeship program. * College or trade school plus work experience as ...

The team partners closely with design, engineering, packaging, and brand teams to bring ideas to ... Completion of a certified apprenticeship program. * College or trade school plus work experience as ...

The team partners closely with design, engineering, packaging, and brand teams to bring ideas to ... Completion of a certified apprenticeship program. * College or trade school plus work experience as ...

Game Developer Apprentice information

Are there apprenticeships in game development?

Yes, there are apprenticeships in game development that provide hands-on experience in areas such as programming, design, and art. These programs often combine on-the-job training with mentorship and may require prior knowledge of relevant tools like Unity or Unreal Engine. They are designed to help aspiring game developers build skills and industry connections.

How to be a game developer with no experience?

To become a game developer apprentice with no experience, start by learning programming languages such as C# or C++ and familiarize yourself with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine. Build small projects or prototypes to develop your skills, create a portfolio, and consider online courses or tutorials to gain foundational knowledge. Gaining practical experience through personal projects or internships can improve your chances of entering the field.

Is 27 too old for an apprenticeship?

Game Developer Apprenticeships are open to individuals of various ages, and 27 is not considered too old to start. Many apprenticeships value skills, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn over age, and some programs may even prefer diverse age groups to bring different perspectives. Success depends on your commitment and relevant skills rather than age alone.

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

To thrive as a Game Developer Apprentice, you need foundational programming knowledge (such as C# or C++), problem-solving abilities, and a basic understanding of game design principles, often supported by a relevant degree or coursework. Familiarity with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, as well as version control systems like Git, is typically expected. Creativity, teamwork, and a willingness to learn help apprentices stand out and adapt to collaborative development environments. These skills and qualities are crucial for effectively contributing to projects, learning from experienced developers, and building a strong foundation in the game industry.

What is a Game Developer Apprentice?

A Game Developer Apprentice is an entry-level position where individuals learn the fundamentals of game development while working under the guidance of experienced professionals. Apprentices typically assist with tasks such as coding, designing game assets, testing features, and troubleshooting bugs. This role provides hands-on experience and helps apprentices gain practical skills in programming languages, game engines, and collaborative development. The apprenticeship is often structured to prepare candidates for full-time roles in the gaming industry.

Is 30 too old to get into game dev?

Game developer apprenticeships and entry-level roles do not have strict age limits, and many successful developers start at various ages. Skills in programming, design, and familiarity with tools like Unity or Unreal Engine are more important than age, and continuous learning can help new entrants regardless of their age.

What is the difference between Game Developer Apprentice vs Game Developer?

AspectGame Developer ApprenticeGame Developer
Required CredentialsTypically enrolled in or recently completed relevant education or training programsBachelor's degree in computer science, game design, or related field often preferred
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, supervised, often in a studio or educational settingFull-time professional role in a game development team or studio
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in training programs, internships, or entry-level positions within the gaming industryFull-fledged role in game studios, responsible for developing game features and mechanics

The Game Developer Apprentice is an entry-level position focused on learning and gaining experience under supervision, often within training programs. In contrast, a Game Developer is a professional responsible for designing, coding, and testing game features, with more independence and responsibility. The apprentice role serves as a stepping stone toward becoming a full Game Developer.

What are the typical responsibilities of a Game Developer Apprentice and how do they collaborate with the rest of the team?

As a Game Developer Apprentice, you'll typically assist with coding, testing game features, debugging, and contributing to smaller tasks within larger projects. You'll often work closely with experienced developers, artists, and designers, learning industry-standard tools and workflows. Regular communication and feedback sessions are common, providing opportunities to ask questions and develop your skills. Collaboration is key, as you'll be expected to participate in team meetings, contribute ideas, and adapt to evolving project needs.
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 Game Developer Apprentice jobs in California? For Game Developer Apprentice jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Game Developer Apprentice jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Game Developer Apprentice jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Game Developer Apprentice jobs? Cities in California with the most Game Developer Apprentice job openings:
Infographic showing various Game Developer Apprentice job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.
Associate, Full-Stack Engineer (Python/React) - SMA Solutions

Associate, Full-Stack Engineer (Python/React) - SMA Solutions

BlackRock, Inc.

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 19 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Own feature development end-to-end, from front-end user interfaces to backend services and data layer enhancements.

  • Design, build, and maintain scalable applications and APIs that enable interaction with the firm's data platform.

  • Develop and enhance data pipelines and services that generate and consume data from diverse systems.


BlackRock rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

About this role
About BlackRock SMA Solutions:
At BlackRock SMA Solutions, our strategies are designed to put our clients' and their clients' interests at the center of our investment advice; to minimize costs and taxes; and to incorporate each client's unique values-aligned preferences into their investment portfolio. Offering a full suite of tools for our clients, from direct-indexing to active equity and fixed income strategies-with evolution a constant part of our game.
As a business, we are fast-growing and our systems need to grow along with it. We are looking for engineers who like to innovate and seek complex problems. We recognize that strength comes from teams with a variety of perspectives, and will embrace your unique skills, curiosity, drive, and passion while giving you the opportunity to grow technically and as an individual. Engineers looking to work in the areas of orchestration, data modeling, data pipelines, APIs, storage, distribution, distributed computation, consumption and infrastructure are ideal candidates.
About this Role:
We are expanding the team of engineers that owns and operates our extensive data platform underpinning the SMA business. In this role, you will contribute across the full technology stack, building user-facing applications, developing backend services, and evolving our data platform to support a wide range of business needs.
As a full-stack engineer on the team, you will design and deliver end-to-end solutions that enable users to generate, consume, and interact with data at scale. This includes developing intuitive front-end interfaces, building scalable backend services and APIs, and enhancing data pipelines and storage systems. You will work closely with stakeholders to understand requirements and ensure data and applications are reliable, timely, and of high quality.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Own feature development end-to-end, from front-end user interfaces to backend services and data layer enhancements

  • Design, build, and maintain scalable applications and APIs that enable interaction with the firm's data platform

  • Develop and enhance data pipelines and services that generate and consume data from diverse systems

  • Collaborate with stakeholders to translate business needs into technical solutions and user-facing tools

  • Support deployment, monitoring, and reliability of applications and services in production environments

  • Troubleshoot issues in live systems and provide real-time support for critical problems

  • Continuously improve platform capabilities through modernization and adoption of new technologies

  • Write clean, maintainable, and well-documented code that can be easily understood by other team members

  • Stay current with developments in technologies across front-end, backend, and data ecosystems

Requirements:
  • BA/BS in Computer Science or equivalent practical experience

  • At least 3+ years of post-university experience as a full-stack engineer

  • Strong understanding of programming fundamentals-algorithms, data structures, design patterns, and paradigms

  • Proficiency in Python and experience building backend services or APIs

  • Experience with web development and front-end frameworks (e.g., React, Angular, or similar)

  • Solid knowledge of SQL and relational databases

  • Experience designing and working with distributed systems or service-oriented architectures.

  • Ability to troubleshoot problems in live environments and provide real-time support

  • Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across business and technical teams

  • Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary environment

Desirable Additional Qualifications:
  • Experience working in cloud environments (AWS, Azure, or GCP)

  • Experience with data warehousing solutions (e.g., Snowflake) and large-scale analytics environments

  • Familiarity with DAG-based job scheduling tools

  • Experience with containerization and orchestration platforms (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes)

  • Experience in the Financial Services industry

For San Francisco, CA Only the salary range for this position is USD$132,500.00 - USD$162,000.00 . Additionally, employees are eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, and benefits including healthcare, leave benefits, and retirement benefits. BlackRock operates a pay-for-performance compensation philosophy and your total compensation may vary based on role, location, and firm, department and individual performance.
Our benefits
To help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of benefits including a strong retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, comprehensive healthcare, support for working parents and Flexible Time Off (FTO) so you can relax, recharge and be there for the people you care about.
Our hybrid work model
BlackRock's hybrid work model is designed to enable a culture of collaboration and apprenticeship that enriches the experience of our employees, while supporting flexibility for all. Employees are currently required to work at least 4 days in the office per week, with the flexibility to work from home 1 day a week. Some business groups may require more time in the office due to their roles and responsibilities. We remain focused on increasing the impactful moments that arise when we work together in person - aligned with our commitment to performance and innovation. As a new joiner, you can count on this hybrid model to accelerate your learning and onboarding experience here at BlackRock.
Guidance on AI use for candidates
At BlackRock, AI has long been part of how we work - enhancing decision-making, improving operations, and helping us deliver better outcomes for clients. We encourage candidates to use AI thoughtfully to learn, prepare, and work more effectively; but during our interview process, we want to focus on getting to know you through your own experiences, thinking, and judgment. To support you, we've provided guidance on when and how to use AI during our hiring process so you can approach each step with confidence and showcase your best self.
About BlackRock
At BlackRock, we are all connected by one mission: to help more and more people experience financial well-being. Our clients, and the people they serve, are saving for retirement, paying for their children's educations, buying homes and starting businesses. Their investments also help to strengthen the global economy: support businesses small and large; finance infrastructure projects that connect and power cities; and facilitate innovations that drive progress.
This mission would not be possible without our smartest investment - the one we make in our employees. It's why we're dedicated to creating an environment where our colleagues feel welcomed, valued and supported with networks, benefits and development opportunities to help them thrive.
To learn more about BlackRock, please visit Careers.BlackRock.com. We also encourage you to get to know us on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, X, and TikTok.
BlackRock is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity to all applicants and existing employees, and we evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity/expression), sexual orientation, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, political affiliation, religion, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. View the EEOC's Know Your Rights poster and its supplement and the pay transparency statement.
BlackRock is committed to full inclusion of all qualified individuals and to providing reasonable accommodations or job modifications for individuals with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation/adjustments are needed throughout the employment process, please email Disability.Assistance@blackrock.com. All requests are treated in line with our privacy policy.
We recruit, hire, train, promote, pay, and administer all personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), sex stereotyping (including assumptions about a person's appearance or behavior, gender roles, gender expression, or gender identity), gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law. We interpret these protected statuses broadly to include both the actual status and also any perceptions and assumptions made regarding these statuses.BlackRock will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in a manner consistent with the requirements of the law, including any applicable fair chance law.

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