1

Game Developer Jobs in Berkeley, CA (NOW HIRING)

Principal Software Engineer, Game Safety

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$153K - $206K/yr

WHY GAME SAFETY? As a Principal Software Engineer on Game Safety, you'll work on some of the most challenging problems we face. You will transform our experience safety efforts into a scale-oriented ...

Senior Software Engineer - Core UX Studio

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$139K - $183K/yr

Studio provides tools for 3D modeling, animation, complete SDLC and testing for teams and individual game developers. This role does not require experience in the aforementioned. Large scale desktop ...

Gaming Technician

San Pablo, CA · On-site

$16.80/hr

Troubleshoots Games to Board level. * Complies with casino, departmental standards and gaming regulations. * Exhibits and friendly, helpful and courteous manner at all times. QUALIFICATIONS: * To ...

Discord plays a uniquely important role in the future of gaming, and we are focused on making it ... To learn more about Discord Engineering, take a look at our engineering blog! What you'll be doing

Lead UI Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site +1

$133K - $198K/yr

WE ARE GAME MAKERS Who We Are: We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and inspired by a culture of inclusivity to build amazing games that ...

Lead UI Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$133K - $198K/yr

WE ARE GAME MAKERS Who We Are: We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and inspired by a culture of inclusivity to build amazing games that ...

Lead UI Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site +1

$133K - $198K/yr

WE ARE GAME MAKERS Who We Are: We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and inspired by a culture of inclusivity to build amazing games that ...

Lead UI Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$133K - $198K/yr

WE ARE GAME MAKERS Who We Are: We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and inspired by a culture of inclusivity to build amazing games that ...

Showing results 41-60

Game Developer information

See Berkeley, CA salary details

$39.8K

$132.8K

$220.4K

How much do game developer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for game developer in Berkeley, CA is $132,816.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $99,800.00 and $151,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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 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.

Is a game developer a good career?

A game developer creates video games and typically requires skills in programming, design, and software tools like Unity or Unreal Engine. The field offers opportunities for creativity and growth, but it can also involve long hours and competitive job markets. Overall, it can be a rewarding career for those passionate about gaming and technology.

What jobs can a game developer do?

A game developer can work in roles such as game programmer, game designer, level designer, graphics programmer, or technical artist. They often collaborate with artists, sound designers, and project managers, and may specialize in areas like mobile, console, or PC game development using tools like Unity or Unreal Engine.

What are the most commonly searched types of Game Developer jobs in Berkeley, CA?

The most popular types of Game Developer jobs in Berkeley, CA are:

What are popular job titles related to Game Developer jobs in Berkeley, CA?

For Game Developer jobs in Berkeley, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Game Developer jobs in Berkeley, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Game Developer jobs in Berkeley, CA are:

What cities near Berkeley, CA are hiring for Game Developer jobs?

Cities near Berkeley, CA with the most Game Developer job openings:

Infographic showing various Game Developer job openings in Berkeley, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 12% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $132,816 per year, or $63.9 per hour.

Principal Software Engineer, Game Safety

San Mateo, CA • On-site

Roblox
Software Development • 51 - 200 employees

$153K - $206K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago


Job description

WHY SAFETY?

At Roblox, we strive to connect a billion people with optimism and civility, and the Safety organization's mission is to become the leader in civil immersive online communities. We systematically detect, remove, and prevent problematic accounts, content and behavior, and we make Roblox accounts secure and free from compromise. We cover a broad area of the tech spectrum, including machine learning, classifiers for 3D models, experimentation, automation, detection workflows, and AI-powered text filters. Aligned and partnering with product teams, we use this toolbelt to discover new opportunities, influence and shape the product roadmap and prioritization, build safety products, and measure the impact on our community of users and developers. In doing so, we keep Roblox safe, civil, and inclusive, and we foster positive relationships between people around the world.

WHY GAME SAFETY?

As a Principal Software Engineer on Game Safety, you'll work on some of the most challenging problems we face. You will transform our experience safety efforts into a scale-oriented, near-real-time problem, in an adversarial context. This requires an understanding of code, 3D content, player behavior, and more, working at Roblox scale (billions of monthly engagement hours).

The ideal candidate is creative, flexible across the stack, and proactive in advancing our mission of keeping users safe. Since engineering drives most of the team's roadmap, we value initiative and problem-solving.

You Will:

  • Build and scale distributed systems that power game moderation at Roblox, ensuring billions of monthly engagement hours are safe and civil. 
  • Operate as a high-agency problem solver: whether the solution requires deep-diving into backend services, scaling ML pipelines, or diving into data, you do what's needed to ship impactful safety products
  • Develop innovative detection approaches in a rapidly evolving, adversarial landscape, using a data-driven lens to identify new opportunities.
  • Lead through technical excellence: you define the team's direction by being the first to dive into the hardest problems, earning influence through your execution and mentorship.
  • Partner cross-functionally with Moderation Operations, Product Management, and Data Science to deliver end-to-end products that protect our community. 

You Have:

  • 6+ years of experience building and shipping high-scale backend systems to production. Experience with machine learning is a plus
  • 6+ years of experience working on multi-person codebases, including open-source or personal projects
  • Passion for delivering products end-to-end, from ideation through implementation, with laser focus on the end goal while being empathetic with cross-functional stakeholders

You Are:

  • Resourceful: You're adaptable in any situation and can always find a path forward. 
  • Analytical: Excited to investigate large, ambiguous problems, and quantify the problems and the solutions.
  • User Oriented: You always start with the needs of the user, whether they are Roblox users or internal engineers before architecting a solution. 
  • Team Oriented: You lift up your peers and find ways to make the team stronger. You are a sought-after mentor. You foster a culture of technical excellence. 
  • Mission Driven: You stay laser-focused on the mission and are versatile, creative, and strategic to achieve it. You think long-term, and find ways to deliver short-term value on the way to get there.