1

Game Engine Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

... developers and creators. At Roblox, we're building the tools and platform that empower our ... The Game Engine team at Roblox works on the systems that power the experiences at the heart of the ...

Principal Software Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$153K - $206K/yr

As a Principal Software Engineer of the Game Engine data model team, you will innovate on the core data structures that form the backbone of Roblox's platform. In this role you will have first hand ...

Software Engineering Manager, Engine UI

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$118K - $158K/yr

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Engineering Manager to join our Engine UI team. In ... Work closely with our game developer community to help achieve their creative vision * Have fun ...

Showing results 21-40

Game Engine Developer information

See California salary details

$32.1K

$107K

$177.6K

How much do game engine developer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for game engine developer 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 a game engine developer?

A Game Engine Developer is a software engineer who designs, develops, and maintains the core technology used to build video games, known as a game engine. They create systems for rendering graphics, handling physics, processing audio, and managing assets, enabling game designers and artists to build interactive worlds. Game Engine Developers work closely with other developers to ensure the engine is efficient, scalable, and supports the features needed for modern games. Their work is crucial for both building new engines and customizing existing ones like Unity or Unreal Engine.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a game engine developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Game Engine Developer, you need strong proficiency in computer science fundamentals, C++ programming, and experience with rendering, physics, or audio systems, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with development tools like Visual Studio, version control systems (e.g., Git), and graphics APIs such as DirectX or OpenGL is typically required. Problem-solving ability, teamwork, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and addressing technical challenges. These skills ensure robust, high-performance engine development that meets the complex needs of modern game production.

What are some common challenges faced by game engine developers when collaborating with cross-functional teams?

Game Engine Developers often work closely with artists, designers, and gameplay programmers, which can present challenges in balancing technical constraints with creative vision. Coordinating feature requests, optimizing for performance, and ensuring tools are user-friendly for non-programmers require strong communication and problem-solving skills. It's important to translate technical limitations into understandable terms and to build solutions that address the needs of different stakeholders. Successful developers proactively seek feedback and iterate on tools to support a smooth production pipeline.

What is the difference between Game Engine Developer vs Game Programmer?

AspectGame Engine DeveloperGame Programmer
Primary FocusDeveloping and optimizing game engines and toolsWriting gameplay code and implementing features
Skills & CertificationsProficiency in C++, graphics APIs, engine architectureStrong programming skills, knowledge of game frameworks
Work EnvironmentEngine development teams, software companiesGame development teams, studios

Game Engine Developers focus on creating and maintaining the core technology that powers games, while Game Programmers work on implementing gameplay features within those engines. Both roles require strong programming skills, but their responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

Are game engine developers in demand?

Game engine developers are in high demand due to the growth of the gaming industry and the need for skilled programmers proficient in tools like Unity and Unreal Engine. Employers seek candidates with strong programming skills, experience in C++ or C#, and knowledge of graphics and physics systems, making it a competitive and evolving field.

What are the most commonly searched types of Game Engine Developer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Game Engine Developer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Game Engine Developer jobs in California?

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

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Game Engine Developer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Game Engine Developer job openings:

Infographic showing various Game Engine Developer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 75% In-person, and 25% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,050 per year, or $51.5 per hour.

Software Engineer - Game Development

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

Applied Intuition
Software Development • 201 - 500 employees

$173K - $232K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago


Job description

About Applied Intuition

Applied Intuition, Inc. is powering the future of physical AI. Founded in 2017 and now valued at $15 billion, the Silicon Valley company is creating the digital infrastructure needed to bring intelligence to every moving machine on the planet. Applied Intuition services the automotive, defense, trucking, construction, mining and agriculture industries in three core areas: tools and infrastructure, operating systems, and autonomy. Eighteen of the top 20 global automakers, as well as the United States military and its allies, trust the company’s solutions to deliver physical intelligence. Applied Intuition is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with offices in Washington, D.C.; San Diego; Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; Ann Arbor, Michigan; London; Stuttgart; Munich; Stockholm; Bangalore; Seoul; and Tokyo. Learn more at applied.co.

We are an in-office company, and our expectation is that employees primarily work from their Applied Intuition office 5 days a week. However, we also recognize the importance of flexibility and trust our employees to manage their schedules responsibly. This may include occasional remote work, starting the day with morning meetings from home before heading to the office, or leaving earlier when needed to accommodate family commitments.

About the role

We are looking for a software engineer with a strong background in game engine/realtime development. As a realtime 3D specialist, you will work with Unreal Engine to further develop our simulation capabilities for virtual environments for autonomous vehicles. This role will focus on bridging our core simulation engine with the game engine as well as developing new gameplay type features within Unreal. At Applied, we encourage all engineers to take ownership over technical and product decisions, closely interact with users to collect feedback, and contribute to a thoughtful, dynamic team culture.

At Applied, you will

  • Work on a new exciting simulation framework for detailed 3D simulation at massive scale
  • Utilize Cesium to create massive scale simulation environments
  • Customize plugins in Unreal for content ingestion creation and more
  • Integrate engines into Applied Intuition’s simulation workflow for seamless customer experience
  • Deploy engines on various platforms (local or cloud) based on customer needs
  • Optimize our simulations based on performance and accuracy needs

We’re looking for someone who

  • Has 3+ years experience in developing and maintaining game engines at an AAA game studio
  • Has a background in deploying and optimizing software on multiple platforms (on-prem/cloud)
  • Is an expert in best practices for game engine architecture for scalability and flexibility
  • Is familiar with both Unreal and Content workflows

Nice to have

  • Prior experience in shipping Unreal Engine games
  • Prior work in either autonomous vehicles or simulation products
  • Experienced with integrating third party physics libraries
  • Experience with Houdini or other DCC packages (Maya 3DS Max or Blender)
  • Experience with networking and multiplayer usecases

Autonomy is one of the leading technological advances of this century that will come to impact our lives. The work you’ll do at Applied will meaningfully accelerate the efforts of the top autonomy teams in the world. At Applied, you will have a unique perspective on the development of cutting edge technology while working with major players across the industry and the globe.

Compensation at Applied Intuition for eligible roles includes base salary, equity, and benefits. Base salary is a single component of the total compensation package, which may also include equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.

Applied Intuition pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum intended target base salary for new hire salaries for the position. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position.

Please reference the job posting’s subtitle for where this position will be located. For pay transparency purposes, the base salary range for this full-time position in the location listed is: $173,400 - $232,925 USD annually.

Don’t meet every single requirement? If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Applied Intuition is an equal opportunity employer and federal contractor or subcontractor. Consequently, the parties agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and that these laws are incorporated herein by reference. These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. These regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability. The parties also agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of Executive Order 13496 (29 CFR Part 471, Appendix A to Subpart A), relating to the notice of employee rights under federal labor laws.

#J-18808-Ljbffr