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Game Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Game Developer information

See California salary details

$32.1K

$107K

$177.6K

How much do game developer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for game developer in California is $107,050.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,400.00 and $122,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a game developer?

To thrive as a Game Developer, you need strong programming skills (often in C++, C#, or Java), a solid understanding of computer graphics, and a relevant degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, version control systems, and sometimes certifications in these platforms are commonly required. Creative problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication distinguish top performers in this field. These abilities are crucial for building engaging, technically robust games and collaborating successfully within multidisciplinary development teams.

What is a game developer?

As a game developer, you write the code for video game software. Your code, combined with the work of other developers, brings video games to life on computers and gaming consoles. Your responsibilities are to design core game features and to collaborate with a team of other developers, graphic designers, and artists. Your job duties include game testing, debugging, and production in all aspects of gaming—player character creation, non-player characters, backgrounds, and gameplay. Being a gamer yourself gives you a solid understanding of the importance of game mechanics and storytelling.

What are some common challenges game developers face when working on large team projects?

Game developers working on large team projects often encounter challenges such as coordinating across multiple disciplines (programming, art, design, audio), ensuring clear communication, and managing dependencies between different parts of the game. Balancing creative vision with technical constraints and deadlines can also be demanding. Adapting to shifting priorities and integrating feedback from playtesting are key aspects of the collaborative process, making strong teamwork and flexibility essential in this role.

What does a game developer do?

A game developer is responsible for designing, creating, and programming video games for computers, consoles, or mobile devices. Their work involves coding, testing, and debugging game software, as well as collaborating with artists, designers, and other team members to bring a game concept to life. Game developers may specialize in areas like gameplay programming, graphics, or artificial intelligence, and often use game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine to build their projects.

What is the difference between Game Developer vs Game Designer?

AspectGame DeveloperGame Designer
Primary RoleProgram and build game mechanics, code, and softwareDesign game concepts, storylines, and gameplay experiences
Skills & CertificationsProgramming languages (C++, C#), software developmentCreative design, storytelling, game design tools
Work EnvironmentDevelopment teams, coding environments, software studiosDesign teams, creative studios, collaborative spaces
Industry UsageUsed across game studios for technical implementationUsed for conceptualization and gameplay design

While both roles are essential in game development, Game Developers focus on coding and technical implementation, whereas Game Designers craft the gameplay experience and story. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and collaboration in the gaming industry.

More about Game Developer jobs
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 jobs in California? For Game Developer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Game Developer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Game Developer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Game Developer jobs? Cities in California with the most Game Developer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Game Developer jobs in CA? For Game Developer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Game Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Developer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 53% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 26% Contract. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,050 per year, or $51.5 per hour.

Software Engineer (ML/Game Development)

GungHo Online Entertainment America, Inc.

Redondo Beach, CA • On-site

$75K - $119K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

About the company:

Located in Redondo Beach, CA, GungHo Online Entertainment America Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of the Japanese game company GungHo Online Entertainment, Inc. Publishing titles across multiple platforms ranging from console to handheld and mobile, our group is comprised of veterans from various aspects of the industry brought together by one simple thing: a love of gaming.


Position Summary:

This position is responsible for designing, finetuning, and shipping machine learning and generative AI features for our new, internally developed game, as well as general debugging and troubleshooting. You will work at the intersection of applied ML and game development.


What you will be doing:

  • Design, implement, and debug ML/AI-driven features for our internally developed game, with a focus on LLM-powered NPC dialogue and model infrastructure.
  • Finetune, evaluate, and optimize models for in-game use, balancing quality against latency, memory, and cost.
  • Build and maintain inference systems and data pipelines that integrate cleanly with the game engine and runtime.
  • Contribute to gameplay features and general game code alongside your ML work. This is a hands-on role on both sides.
  • Ship other generative AI features as the game evolves.
  • Discuss, design, and plan AI features with artists, game designers, and gameplay engineers.
  • Test prototypes of future titles and AI systems to provide constructive feedback.
  • Attend industry conventions and live events as needed.


Qualifications:

  • 4 years experience in programing, professionally or in school is a plus.
  • B.S. or equivalent in Computer Science is preferred. 
  • C++ and game-engine experience (Unreal) is a huge plus
  • Demonstrated hands-on experience finetuning or deploying ML models. Whether through professional work, personal projects, or self-directed experimentation. We're looking for hands-on ML experience outside of coursework.
  • Solid general programming proficiency (any language); comfortable working in a production codebase.
  • No specific stack required — we care more about what you have actually built than which tools you used.
  • Experience deploying models for low-latency, real-time inference is a plus.
  • Familiarity with 3D graphics, shaders, or GPU programming is a plus.
  • Strong communication skills.
  • Desire to learn and to grow, including into the game-development side.
  • Ability to work in small, agile team environments.
  • Passion for narrative games


Why you want to work here:

At GungHo, we’re enthusiastic about creating fun games and we’re always looking for talented individuals with whom we can share our passion. We have a highly collaborative culture where everyone wants to work together to get things done!


 Perks:

  • 100% employer-paid insurances: Health Insurance (PPO Medical, Dental, and Vision), Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance, and Long Term Disability Insurance
  • 401(k) with employer match
  • Competitive paid time off: Vacation, Personal time, Sick Leave, Holidays, and Winter Breaks.
  • An incentive may be provided based on business performance.


Business Hours: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM in Pacific Time

Salary Range: $75,000 - $119,000 per year (DOE)


Note: Only applications submitted through the online system or formally referred by the designated recruiter will be deemed official and accepted. Any resumes submitted through alternative channels will not be recognized as valid applications.