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Game Development Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Anduril Industries

Game Development Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$166K - $220K/yr

Linux development experience * Experience developing on console platforms. * Shipped at least one AAA game title in a similar role. * Be able to obtain and hold a U.S. Top Secret security clearance ...

Anduril Industries

Game Development Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$166K - $220K/yr

Linux development experience * Experience developing on console platforms. * Shipped at least one AAA game title in a similar role. * Be able to obtain and hold a U.S. Top Secret security clearance ...

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Game Development information

See California salary details

$32.1K

$107K

$177.6K

How much do game development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for game development in California is $107,050.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,400.00 and $122,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is game development?

Game development is the process of creating video games, encompassing everything from concept and design to programming, art, sound, testing, and release. It often involves a team of professionals with different skills, such as game designers, programmers, artists, writers, and testers. The process may use game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine to build the game's mechanics, graphics, and overall experience. Game development can be done by large studios or individual indie developers, and projects can range from simple mobile games to complex, multi-platform titles.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in game development teams?

Game development often involves tight deadlines, rapidly changing project requirements, and the need to balance creative vision with technical constraints. Team members regularly collaborate across disciplines—such as programming, design, art, and sound—which can lead to communication challenges and the need for strong teamwork skills. Additionally, adapting to new technologies and tools is essential, as the industry evolves quickly, requiring continuous learning and flexibility.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in game development, and why are they important?

To thrive in Game Development, you need strong programming skills (commonly in C++, C#, or Java), a solid understanding of computer graphics, and often a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, as well as version control systems such as Git, is typically required. Creativity, problem-solving, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills that help in designing engaging gameplay and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualifications are crucial for creating technically sound, innovative, and commercially successful games.

What is the difference between Game Development vs Game Design?

AspectGame DevelopmentGame Design
Primary FocusProgramming, coding, and technical implementation of gamesConcept creation, story, and gameplay mechanics
Required SkillsProgramming languages, software engineering, problem-solvingCreativity, storytelling, user experience design
Work EnvironmentDevelopment teams, coding labs, software studiosDesign studios, creative teams, collaborative workshops
Common CertificationsComputer Science, Software Engineering, Programming coursesGame Design degrees, Creative Arts, Storytelling courses

Game Development involves the technical creation and programming of games, focusing on coding and software engineering. Game Design centers on crafting game concepts, storylines, and gameplay mechanics. Both roles often collaborate but require different skill sets and educational backgrounds, making them distinct yet interconnected careers in the gaming industry.

What jobs are there in game development?

In game development, common roles include game designer, programmer, artist, animator, sound designer, and quality assurance tester. These positions often require skills in programming languages, graphic design, and familiarity with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine.

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 jobs in California?

For Game Development jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Game Development jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Game Development jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Game Development jobs?

Cities in California with the most Game Development job openings:

Game Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Development job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,050 per year, or $51.5 per hour.

Game Development Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA • On-site

Anduril Industries
Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing • 501 - 1,000 employees

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Great coworkers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Learn more about Anduril Industriesexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago

Job description

ABOUT THE TEAM

Our team builds, tests, integrates, and scales software that beautifully visualizes both real and simulated historical or live data. Our software acts as the visual client for Anduril's Mission Simulation product, bringing visions to life in a 2D environment as well as an immersive 3D AR environment. It lets users create "what ifs" to evaluate mission concepts, drive future mission tactics, and accelerate mission understanding. It is often used for Business Development and Engineering purposes.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

  • Partner with stakeholders to establish clear priorities and define expectations which translate to a scope of work that you and the team can effectively deliver on
  • Identify technical risks and their solutions, collaborating with the broader engineering groups at Anduril.
  • Ensure client stability by diagnosing and resolving defects.
  • Analyze and optimize both memory and performance in systems that must scale from high-end desktops to mobile AR systems
  • Identify problems; solve them: implement robust, high-quality solutions

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Excellent C++ skills and software engineering principles
  • Experience working in large codebases to solve complex problems.
  • Minimum five years of professional programming experience
  • Solid understanding of 3D math
  • Ability to write clean, maintainable and extensible code with attention to reusability
  • Experience in a broad range of engineering areas on shipping games or real time visualization systems, with special attention given to low-level code
  • Excellent spoken and written communication
  • Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export controlled information or facilities

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Linux development experience
  • Experience developing on console platforms.
  • Shipped at least one AAA game title in a similar role.
  • Be able to obtain and hold a U.S. Top Secret security clearance
Anduril Industries logo

About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

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Working at Anduril

About Anduril, in their own words

From Anduril

As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril delivers cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the warfighter in months, not years.

What Anduril employees say

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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