1

Game Developer Jobs in Salinas, CA (NOW HIRING)

Senior MRB Liaison Engineer

Marina, CA · On-site

$105K - $177K/yr

Joby Aviation is seeking a motivated Senior Liaison Engineer to join our growing MRB (Material Review Board) Engineering team. This role is a key position as the company quickly moved towards FAA ...

Senior MRB Liaison Engineer

Marina, CA · On-site

$105K - $177K/yr

Overview Joby Aviation is seeking a motivated Senior Liaison Engineer to join our growing MRB (Material Review Board) Engineering team. This role is a key position as the company quickly moved ...

Senior MRB Liaison Engineer

Marina, CA · On-site

$105K - $177K/yr

Overview Joby Aviation is seeking a motivated Senior Liaison Engineer to join our growing MRB (Material Review Board) Engineering team. This role is a key position as the company quickly moved ...

Behavior Technician Gilroy

Gilroy, CA · On-site

$21 - $25/hr

... games with young learners, but also able to act as a mentor to have adult-like conversations with learners who have more advanced programming * Strong communication skills and willingness to learn ...

Afterschool Program Leader

Gilroy, CA · On-site

$22 - $25/hr

The Program Leader encourages student success and self-esteem using materials and curriculum provided by the program such as sports and games, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math ...

Afterschool Program Leader

Gilroy, CA · On-site

$22 - $25/hr

The Program Leader encourages student success and self-esteem using materials and curriculum provided by the program such as sports and games, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math ...

Afterschool Program Leader

Gilroy, CA · On-site

$22 - $25/hr

The Program Leader encourages student success and self-esteem using materials and curriculum provided by the program such as sports and games, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math ...

Showing results 21-39

Game Developer information

See Salinas, CA salary details

$34.9K

$116.5K

$193.4K

How much do game developer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for game developer in Salinas, CA is $116,541.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,600.00 and $133,200.00 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 Salinas, CA?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Game Developer job openings in Salinas, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 78% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,541 per year, or $56 per hour.

Software Engineer with Security Clearance

Radiance Technologies

Monterey, CA • On-site

$110/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

Radiance Technologies is an employee-owned company with benefits that are unmatched by most companies in the Monterey Bay, California area. Employee ownership, generous 401K and profit sharing, health/dental/life/vision insurance benefits, interesting assignments, educational reimbursement, competitive salaries, and a pleasant work environment combine to make Radiance Technologies a great place to work and succeed. The Software Engineer will advance the capabilities of the Naval Research Laboratory ( NRL ) and the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center ( FNMOC) by providing software design, development, and maintenance. In this role, you will bridge the gap between software development, quality assurance, and technical writing. You will provide programming support to our engineering teams while also performing software testing procedures and comprehensive documentation tasks. . NRL is in Monterey, CA and the work would be performed in NRL's facilities. Salary Range: $110-125K Duties and Responsibilities : * Programming Support - Assist software engineering teams with writing, debugging, optimizing, and maintaining code modules.
* Collaboration Work - closely with senior developers to troubleshoot complex issues and integrate new features into the existing codebase.
* Software Transition - Deploy changes to software to the operational environment at FNMOC and provide reports back to the team.
* Software Testing - Design, develop, and execute comprehensive manual and automated test plans, including unit, integration, and system testing.
* Defect Tracking - Identify, record, document thoroughly, and track bugs using standard issue tracking systems (e.g., Jira, GitLab).
* Documentation - Create and maintain clear, accurate technical documentation, API guides, release notes, and user manuals Required Experience: * Bachelor's Degree in Software Engineering , Computer Engineering , Computer Science or any other relevant technical field
* Secret Security Clearance
* 2+ Years of Software Development Experience Desired Qualifications: * Experience with:
* Programming languages such as Python, Fortran, Bash/ KShell
* Data structures
* Algorithm Development
* Documentation and Technical Writing
* Self-motivated yet able to work well within a development team
* Strong oral and written communication skills Strong additional consideration for experience with: * Weather Modeling
* Operational Center experience Radiance Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.