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Game Developer Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA (NOW HIRING)

Cloud Chamber

Lead Lighting Artist

Novato, CA · On-site

In this role, you'll collaborate with a passionate group of game developers to craft visually stunning, dynamic lighting that supports world-class real-time environments and cinematics-bringing the ...

New

Cloud Chamber

Lead Lighting Artist

Novato, CA · On-site

In this role, you'll collaborate with a passionate group of game developers to craft visually stunning, dynamic lighting that supports world-class real-time environments and cinematics-bringing the ...

New

Cloud Chamber

Senior Level Artist

Novato, CA · On-site

$149K - $178K/yr

In this role, you'll collaborate with a passionate group of game developers to construct visually stunning and gameplay-enhancing game worlds, create and maintain modular kits to optimally build ...

2K

Lead Lighting Artist

Novato, CA · On-site

In this role, you'll collaborate with a passionate group of game developers to craft visually stunning, dynamic lighting that supports world-class real-time environments and cinematics-bringing the ...

New

2K

Senior Engineer, Server - NBA 2K

Novato, CA · On-site

$130K - $174K/yr

As one of the world's top game development studios, we have shipped over 100 multi-sku titles to ... What We Need: We're seeking a Senior Engineer with a passion for server-side development to join ...

Visual Concepts

Senior Engineer, Server - NBA 2K

Novato, CA · On-site +1

$130K - $174K/yr

As one of the world's top game development studios, we have shipped over 100 multi-sku titles to ... What We Need: We're seeking a Senior Engineer with a passion for server-side development to join ...

Visual Concepts

Senior Engineer, Server - NBA 2K

Novato, CA · On-site

$130K - $174K/yr

As one of the world's top game development studios, we have shipped over 100 multi-sku titles to ... What We Need: We're seeking a Senior Engineer with a passion for server-side development to join ...

2K

Senior Engineer, Server - NBA 2K

Novato, CA · On-site +1

$130K - $174K/yr

As one of the world's top game development studios, we have shipped over 100 multi-sku titles to ... What We Need: We're seeking a Senior Engineer with a passion for server-side development to join ...

2K

Senior Systems Engineer

Novato, CA · On-site

$108K - $161K/yr

Visual Concepts, Firaxis Games, Hangar 13, Cat Daddy Games, 31st Union, Cloud Chamber, Gearbox, HB Studios, and 2K SportsLab create world-class experiences across platforms. But what truly powers 2K ...

2K

Senior Systems Engineer

Novato, CA · On-site

$108K - $161K/yr

Visual Concepts, Firaxis Games, Hangar 13, Cat Daddy Games, 31st Union, Cloud Chamber, Gearbox, HB Studios, and 2K SportsLab create world-class experiences across platforms. But what truly powers 2K ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Combat Designer (AI archetype)

Novato, CA · On-site

$119K - $128K/yr

As a Senior Combat Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will collaborate with an innovative team of designers, artists, and engineers to create industry-leading AI characters and combat gameplay. You will ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Combat Designer (AI archetype)

Novato, CA · On-site

$119K - $128K/yr

As a Senior Combat Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will collaborate with an innovative team of designers, artists, and engineers to create industry-leading AI characters and combat gameplay. You will ...

2K

Senior Combat Designer (AI archetype)

Novato, CA · On-site

$119K - $128K/yr

As a Senior Combat Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will collaborate with an innovative team of designers, artists, and engineers to create industry-leading AI characters and combat gameplay. You will ...

2K

Senior Combat Designer (AI archetype)

Novato, CA · On-site

$119K - $128K/yr

As a Senior Combat Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will collaborate with an innovative team of designers, artists, and engineers to create industry-leading AI characters and combat gameplay. You will ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Combat Designer (AI archetype)

Novato, CA · On-site

$119K - $128K/yr

Cloud Chamber is a game development studio known for creating immersive experiences, and they are ... developers. • Maintain and tune assigned combat AI behavior and parameters through to project ...

Anvil Builders Inc

Project Engineer II

Bodega Bay, CA · On-site

Anvil Builders is a dynamic general contracting and civil engineering firm boasting a diverse scope ... Daily game plans * CO & RFI tracking * Cost and labor tracking and projections Requirements

2K

Technical Stage Manager

Petaluma, CA

... gaming genres, including sports, shooters, action, role-playing, strategy, casual, and family entertainment. Our team of engineers, marketers, artists, writers, data scientists, producers, thinkers ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsGame Developer JobsGame Developer Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA

Game Developer information

See Santa Rosa, CA salary details

$35.5K

$118.6K

$196.8K

How much do game developer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for game developer in Santa Rosa, CA is $118,594.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $89,100.00 and $135,600.00 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Game Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Developer job openings in Santa Rosa, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 15% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,594 per year, or $57 per hour.

Lead Lighting Artist

Cloud Chamber

Novato, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

As a Lead Lighting Artist at Cloud Chamber, you will join our talented development team to help shape our visual narrative and atmosphere. In this role, you'll collaborate with a passionate group of game developers to craft visually stunning, dynamic lighting that supports world-class real-time environments and cinematics-bringing the richly imagined world of BioShock to life.
What You'll Do:
As a Lead Lighting Artist, you are a primary driver of your direct reports' success. You will set clear expectations, provide coaching, and manage the health, career growth, and output of a high-performing art team while establishing best practices across lighting pipelines.
  • Lead a team of lighting artists and provide guidance, feedback, and mentorship to ensure high-quality results.
  • Establish best practices and standards within the team to drive productivity, quality, and excellence.
  • Foster a positive, proactive, and agile work environment that encourages innovation and collaboration.
  • Collaborate closely with the Art Director and other leads, to understand and uphold the visual style and direction for lighting.
  • Develop and maintain a consistent and efficient lighting pipeline and workflows, acting as the primary point of contact for issues, proactively resolving problems and addressing roadblocks.
  • Research and implement new techniques and technologies related to lighting with the goal of continuous development and improvement.
  • Collaborate with:
    • Our Core Tech Team to ensure adherence to technical specifications and optimization requirements for real-time rendering engines.
    • Production and scheduling teams to define realistic timelines and manage project priorities.
    • Other groups within the art department to achieve cohesive and visually stunning results.
  • Continuously monitor project progress with an eye for improvement and optimization, providing updates to cross-functional stakeholders, and adjusting priorities as needed.
  • Receive and apply constructive feedback as part of our iterative process effectively while maintaining a positive attitude.

What We'll Do Together:
At Cloud Chamber, we are champions of high standards, pushing for progress and embracing change. We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams to realize our creative ambitions. Together, we will stay current on technological advancements and identify solutions to overcome developmental obstacles to deliver a world-class AAA experience.
Skills & Experiences:
  • 7+ years of experience in real-time lighting and final rendering, with a proven track record as an Art Lead on at least one shipped AAA title.
  • Deep understanding of Physically Based Rendering (PBR), runtime optimization, lighting for in-game cinematics, and practical expertise with Unreal Engine 5 (specifically Lumen Lighting and Sequencer).
  • Demonstrated history of successfully recruiting, developing, mentoring, and retaining top artistic talent while managing workload output and team well-being.
  • Proven experience collaborating directly with Core Tech and Production teams to establish and optimize real-time pipelines under runtime constraints.

Who You Are:
  • A reliable, positive force multiplier, actively seeking opportunities to integrate work across disciplines and contribute to a healthy, supportive team environment.
  • A solid communicator with excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, package information for diverse audiences, and deliver difficult feedback with empathy and professionalism.
  • Experienced in working in cross-disciplinary teams with strong communication skills.
  • Persistent and self-motivated with a proactive mindset.
  • Able to maintain effectiveness and quality under pressure, ambiguity, and fast-changing priorities.
  • An active listener able to build and maintain trust-based relationships across all levels of the organization, understand differing perspectives, and navigate organizational complexity with tact and emotional intelligence.
  • Highly open to feedback and direction, possessing a desire to learn new skills, and capable of producing quick, quality revisions based on new insights or constraints.
  • A strong ownership of tasks, striving to drive work forward autonomously while maintaining a critical eye for detail and organization, ensuring high standards of quality.
  • Dedicated to upholding Cloud Chamber's core values, contributing to a positive and respectful company culture while striving for excellence in all endeavors.

Who We Are:
At Cloud Chamber we strive to make BioShock games that move people: evocative, immersive, and meaningful experiences that stay with you long after you've rolled credits. Great games are born from great collaborations, supported by a culture that brings out the best in our teams. We work openly, learn through play, take ownership, push ourselves to be better, and deliver for our players.
The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $150,400 and $180,000 USD per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program. Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company's discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses.
#LI-Remote
As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform their essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us if you need reasonable accommodation.
Please note that 2K Games and its studios never use instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews. When emailing prospective employees, we only use 2K.com accounts

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