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Game Development Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Anduril Industries

Game Development Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$166K - $220K/yr

It is often used for Business Development and Engineering purposes. WHAT YOU'LL DO * Partner with ... Direct from Anduril: If you receive an email from one of our recruiters, it will only come from an ...

Anduril Industries

Game Development Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$166K - $220K/yr

It is often used for Business Development and Engineering purposes. WHAT YOU'LL DO * Partner with ... Direct from Anduril: If you receive an email from one of our recruiters, it will only come from an ...

Anduril Industries

Game Development Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$166K - $220K/yr

It is often used for Business Development and Engineering purposes. WHAT YOU'LL DO * Partner with ... Direct from Anduril: If you receive an email from one of our recruiters, it will only come from an ...

Netflix

Executive Producer, Mainstream Games

Los Angeles, CA

$133K - $135K/yr

... development process, driving excellence in game quality, timelines, and risk management. You will ... Game Production Leadership: Lead major initiatives, and/or titles, reporting to the Director of ...

Netflix

Executive Producer, Mainstream Games

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$133K - $135K/yr

... development process, driving excellence in game quality, timelines, and risk management. You will ... Game Production Leadership: Lead major initiatives, and/or titles, reporting to the Director of ...

Netflix

Executive Producer, Mainstream Games

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$133K - $135K/yr

... development process, driving excellence in game quality, timelines, and risk management. You will ... Game Production Leadership: Lead major initiatives, and/or titles, reporting to the Director of ...

Netflix

Executive Producer, Mainstream Games

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$133K - $135K/yr

... development process, driving excellence in game quality, timelines, and risk management. You will ... Game Production Leadership: Lead major initiatives, and/or titles, reporting to the Director of ...

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Game Development Director information

How does a game development director balance creative vision with project deadlines and budget constraints?

As a Game Development Director, one of the main challenges is ensuring the team's creative ideas are realized while staying within project timelines and budgets. This requires close collaboration with designers, producers, and engineers to prioritize features and make informed trade-offs. Regular progress reviews and open communication help identify potential risks early, allowing for adjustments before issues escalate. Directors often foster a culture where innovation is encouraged, but practical considerations guide decision-making to ensure the finished game meets both creative and business goals.

What does a game development director do?

A Game Development Director oversees the entire process of creating and delivering video games. They manage teams of designers, programmers, artists, and other specialists, ensuring the project stays on schedule and within budget. Their responsibilities include setting the creative vision, making high-level decisions, and communicating with stakeholders to align the game’s direction with business goals. Additionally, they resolve conflicts, manage resources, and help maintain a productive and innovative work environment.

What is the difference between Game Development Director vs Game Producer?

AspectGame Development DirectorGame Producer
Primary FocusOversees overall game development strategy, creative vision, and team leadershipManages project timelines, budgets, and coordination among teams
Required SkillsLeadership, creative direction, technical knowledgeProject management, communication, organizational skills
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with designers, artists, programmers, and executivesCoordinates between departments, manages schedules and resources
Industry UsageCommonly found in AAA and large-scale game studiosWidely used across all game development levels

The Game Development Director focuses on the creative and strategic leadership of game projects, while the Game Producer handles project management, ensuring timely delivery within budget. Both roles are essential but serve different functions within the game development process.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a game development director?

To thrive as a Game Development Director, you need extensive experience in game design and production, leadership skills, and a strong understanding of the gaming industry, often backed by a degree in computer science, game design, or related fields. Proficiency with project management tools (such as Jira or Trello), game engines (like Unity or Unreal Engine), and familiarity with agile development methodologies is essential. Exceptional communication, creative vision, and team management abilities help foster innovation and guide multidisciplinary teams toward shared goals. These skills and qualities are crucial for delivering high-quality games on schedule while leading teams effectively in a fast-paced, competitive environment.
What are the most commonly searched types of Game Development jobs in California? The most popular types of Game Development jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Game Development Director jobs in California? For Game Development Director jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Game Development Director jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Game Development Director jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Game Development Director jobs? Cities in California with the most Game Development Director job openings:
Game Development Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Development Director job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 64% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 96% In-person, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution.

Software Engineer (ML/Game Development)

GungHo Online Entertainment America, Inc.

Redondo Beach, CA • On-site

$75K - $119K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 23 days ago

Job description

About the company:

Located in Redondo Beach, CA, GungHo Online Entertainment America Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of the Japanese game company GungHo Online Entertainment, Inc. Publishing titles across multiple platforms ranging from console to handheld and mobile, our group is comprised of veterans from various aspects of the industry brought together by one simple thing: a love of gaming.


Position Summary:

This position is responsible for designing, finetuning, and shipping machine learning and generative AI features for our new, internally developed game, as well as general debugging and troubleshooting. You will work at the intersection of applied ML and game development.


What you will be doing:

  • Design, implement, and debug ML/AI-driven features for our internally developed game, with a focus on LLM-powered NPC dialogue and model infrastructure.
  • Finetune, evaluate, and optimize models for in-game use, balancing quality against latency, memory, and cost.
  • Build and maintain inference systems and data pipelines that integrate cleanly with the game engine and runtime.
  • Contribute to gameplay features and general game code alongside your ML work. This is a hands-on role on both sides.
  • Ship other generative AI features as the game evolves.
  • Discuss, design, and plan AI features with artists, game designers, and gameplay engineers.
  • Test prototypes of future titles and AI systems to provide constructive feedback.
  • Attend industry conventions and live events as needed.


Qualifications:

  • 4 years experience in programing, professionally or in school is a plus.
  • B.S. or equivalent in Computer Science is preferred. 
  • C++ and game-engine experience (Unreal) is a huge plus
  • Demonstrated hands-on experience finetuning or deploying ML models. Whether through professional work, personal projects, or self-directed experimentation. We're looking for hands-on ML experience outside of coursework.
  • Solid general programming proficiency (any language); comfortable working in a production codebase.
  • No specific stack required — we care more about what you have actually built than which tools you used.
  • Experience deploying models for low-latency, real-time inference is a plus.
  • Familiarity with 3D graphics, shaders, or GPU programming is a plus.
  • Strong communication skills.
  • Desire to learn and to grow, including into the game-development side.
  • Ability to work in small, agile team environments.
  • Passion for narrative games


Why you want to work here:

At GungHo, we’re enthusiastic about creating fun games and we’re always looking for talented individuals with whom we can share our passion. We have a highly collaborative culture where everyone wants to work together to get things done!


 Perks:

  • 100% employer-paid insurances: Health Insurance (PPO Medical, Dental, and Vision), Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance, and Long Term Disability Insurance
  • 401(k) with employer match
  • Competitive paid time off: Vacation, Personal time, Sick Leave, Holidays, and Winter Breaks.
  • An incentive may be provided based on business performance.


Business Hours: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM in Pacific Time

Salary Range: $75,000 - $119,000 per year (DOE)


Note: Only applications submitted through the online system or formally referred by the designated recruiter will be deemed official and accepted. Any resumes submitted through alternative channels will not be recognized as valid applications.