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Game Developer Jobs in Pleasanton, CA (NOW HIRING)

Apple

3D Game Artist, Platform Architecture

Santa Clara, CA

$184K - $324K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

Then our small multi-disciplinary team of veteran game developers is curious to talk to you about how you could contribute to projects utilizing our proprietary cross-platform game engine and tools.

Striking Distance Studios

Lead Gameplay Engineer

San Ramon, CA · On-site

$112K - $147K/yr

... game development. Responsibilities : • Lead a team of Gameplay Engineers to create best in class Game Modes. • Lead the overall planning, development, and execution of the game, engine and ...

Apple

Senior iOS Engineer, Apple Games

Cupertino, CA

$184K - $277K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

Join the Game Services UI team to help build the Apple Games app and the user-facing gaming features, frameworks, and developer integrations that sit alongside it. We have an exciting roadmap ...

Apple, Inc.

Senior iOS Engineer, Apple Games

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$172K/yr

Join the Game Services UI team to help build the Apple Games app and the user-facing gaming features, frameworks, and developer integrations that sit alongside it. We have an exciting roadmap ...

Apple

Senior iOS Engineer, Apple Games

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$172K/yr

Join the Game Services UI team to help build the Apple Games app and the user-facing gaming features, frameworks, and developer integrations that sit alongside it. We have an exciting roadmap ...

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All JobsGame Developer JobsGame Developer Jobs in Pleasanton, CA

Game Developer information

See Pleasanton, CA salary details

$36.2K

$120.7K

$200.3K

How much do game developer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for game developer in Pleasanton, CA is $120,717.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,700.00 and $138,000.00 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.
More about Game Developer jobs

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Game Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Developer job openings in Pleasanton, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $120,717 per year, or $58 per hour.

Senior Product Manager - Enterprise AI for Game Development

Nvidia

Santa Clara, CA

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago

Nvidia rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 245 rated software companies

Job description

We are looking for a product leader to define and take to market NVIDIA's enterprise solutions for game development. NVIDIA hardware and technology powers the world's most ambitious games - both in runtime technologies such as RTX rendering and AI game characters, but also in AI and accelerated computing technologies used to build and operate games. These span from workstations and servers used to power artist, game developer, and AI developer workflows, to generative AI technology for content creation, coding agents, and QA, to accelerated data science libraries for anti-cheat, anti-toxicity, and matchmaking.

Working alongside our business development and content management teams, this role will define and package enterprise solutions, position them, and help land them inside the world's top game developers and publishers. Success in this role will enable game studios to build better games, get them to market faster, and operate them more efficiently for hundreds of millions of gamers!

What you'll be doing:

  • Drive product strategy, feature requirements, roadmap, and go-to-market for the enterprise game developer product and technology portfolio.

  • Understand how studios build, ship, and operate games, and where NVIDIA should invest in products and technology to address market needs.

  • Lead a cross-functional team of engineering, developer relations, developer marketing, business development, and sales account managers to ship features, launch products, and grow adoption.

  • Partner with ISVs and engine developers to integrate NVIDIA enterprise technology natively into production workflows.

  • Work closely with OEM partners shipping enterprise solutions to drive go to market into the game development industry.

  • Own positioning, messaging, tradeshow strategy, and sales enablement.

  • Build personas, user journeys, and industry-specific narratives.

  • Build technical demos, trade-show narratives, and case studies working with lighthouse studios.

What we need to see:

  • 8+ years of combined product management and product marketing experience, with meaningful time on game developer tools, game technology, graphics, or AI products.

  • Deep familiarity with modern game development workflows: real-time rendering, asset pipelines, build and test infrastructure, and live ops.

  • First-hand experience as a game developer, engine programmer, technical producer, or related role- you have shipped real content or code and can hold your own in a technical conversation with a studio's principal engineer.

  • Knowledge of at least one major game engine (Unreal, Unity, or a proprietary AAA engine).

  • Strong written and verbal communication; able to translate deep technical material into crisp positioning for studios, executives, press, and partners.

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Game Development, or equivalent experience.

  • Ability to work in the Santa Clara, CA office.

Ways to stand out from the crowd:

  • Background in enterprise developer platforms, on-prem AI deployments, or workstation/server product lines used by studios.

  • Established relationships across the game development community - studios, publishers, and engine teams.

NVIDIA is widely considered to be one of the technology world's most desirable employers. We have some of the most forward-thinking and hardworking people in the world working for us. If you're creative and autonomous, we want to hear from you!

Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 168,000 USD - 258,750 USD for Level 4, and 208,000 USD - 327,750 USD for Level 5.

You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until June 13, 2026.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.

NVIDIA is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.

What Nvidia employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Nvidia logo

About Nvidia

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It's a unique legacy of innovation that's fueled by great technology--and amazing people. Today, we're tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what's never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world's best talent.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US

Year founded

1993

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