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

2K

Senior AI Engineer

Novato, CA · On-site

$108K - $161K/yr

You are bold, brave, and believe in an iterative, experimental approach to game development, moving comfortably between design and engineering, collaborating and communicating ambition and ...

2K

Senior AI Engineer

Novato, CA

$108K - $161K/yr

You are bold, brave, and believe in an iterative, experimental approach to game development, moving comfortably between design and engineering, collaborating and communicating ambition and ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior AI Engineer

Novato, CA · Hybrid

$108K - $161K/yr

You are bold, brave, and believe in an iterative, experimental approach to game development, moving comfortably between design and engineering, collaborating and communicating ambition and ...

2K

Principal Concept Artist (Environments)

Novato, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

You will collaborate with a passionate group of game developers and be responsible for crafting high-fidelity environment concepts that support deep systems architecture and breathtaking aesthetics ...

2K

Principal Concept Artist (Environments)

Novato, CA

$123K - $182K/yr

You will collaborate with a passionate group of game developers and be responsible for crafting high-fidelity environment concepts that support deep systems architecture and breathtaking aesthetics ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Concept Artist (Characters)

Novato, CA · On-site

$100K - $148K/yr

Collaborating with a passionate group of game developers you will be responsible for creating high-fidelity art that conceptualizes the look and feel of our game world, and pushes the boundaries of ...

2K

Senior Concept Artist (Characters)

Novato, CA

$100K - $148K/yr

Collaborating with a passionate group of game developers you will be responsible for creating high-fidelity art that conceptualizes the look and feel of our game world, and pushes the boundaries of ...

2K

Senior Concept Artist (Characters)

Novato, CA · On-site

$100K - $148K/yr

Collaborating with a passionate group of game developers you will be responsible for creating high-fidelity art that conceptualizes the look and feel of our game world, and pushes the boundaries of ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Concept Artist (Characters)

Novato, CA · On-site

$100K - $148K/yr

Collaborating with a passionate group of game developers you will be responsible for creating high-fidelity art that conceptualizes the look and feel of our game world, and pushes the boundaries of ...

Cloud Chamber

Level Artist

Novato, CA · On-site

$78K - $116K/yr

In this role, you'll collaborate with a passionate group of game developers to craft visually stunning and performant 3D worlds that support immersive gameplay-bringing the richly imagined world of ...

2K Vegas

Senior Software Engineer - Automation

Novato, CA · On-site

$108K - $161K/yr

Your work will improve game quality, increase developer efficiency, generate earlier feedback, and drive reliable testing across 2K's game studios. This is a hands-on engineering role with growing ...

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

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 ...

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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 Jun 8, 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Game Developer, and why are they important?

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 Game Developers?

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 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 job categories do people searching Game Developer jobs in Santa Rosa, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Game Developer jobs in Santa Rosa, CA 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 May 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,594 per year, or $57 per hour.
Senior AI Engineer

Senior AI Engineer

2K

Novato, CA • On-site

$108K - $161K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

Cloud Chamber is seeking a Senior AI Engineer to join our talented development team to further push the development of the AI Systems and AI Archetype for BioShock 4. We have high ambitions for tying AI and storytelling together in our project. It will be your responsibility to crystallize that ambition, helping to support several AI systems, and bring several AI Archetypes to life.
In this role, you'll collaborate with an engaged team to push the state of the art and experiment with unproven ideas. We are attempting new and ambitious things with AI in this game. You are bold, brave, and believe in an iterative, experimental approach to game development, moving comfortably between design and engineering, collaborating and communicating ambition and limitations.
What You'll Do:
  • Collaborate with the team to:
    • Iterate and polish existing AI Systems and Archetypes.
    • Bring new Archetypes into existence.
  • Take confident ownership over the architecture and implementation within the systems of your domain.
  • Work on implementation and maintenance of AI behavior tree and associated systems.
  • Focus and help plan for ensuring all of our AI Systems and Archetypes operate performantly and within memory budgets.
  • Improve design-facing tools for authoring and scripting combat encounters.
  • Create and maintain technical documentations.
  • Review the work of other engineers and share expertise in your area of knowledge.
What We'll Do Together:
You will work closely with our Design, Animation, Audio, VFX, and Art departments to support and finalize the implementations for core AI systems: Combat Management, Perception, Steaming/Memory/Performance, etc. You will also help bring new AI Archetypes into realization and work to flush out and finalize existing ones. You will share ownership of those systems and archetypes and collaborate with current engineering leadership to shepherd them to ship. You will be encouraged to push our conception of what is possible in this arena, doing as much to advance the ambition as you will attempt to build it, ultimately bringing our richly imagined world to life.
What You've Done:
  • 5+ years industry or related experience.
  • Worked in an AI for video games programming role.
  • Used Unreal Engine in a professional capacity for scripting Basic AI Systems.
  • Used UE5 AI Debugging Tools and Rewind Debugger.
  • Strong math skills.
  • Strong C++ experience.
  • Developed for current gen AAA consoles.
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.
  • A persistent and self-motivated person 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 owner of your tasks, who strives to drive their 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 $108,900 and $161,160 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.
For candidates located in Quebec:
  • Proficiency in French is required.
  • Proficiency in English is required to effectively collaborate with teams based in the United States

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 and when emailing only use 2K.com accounts.

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