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Game Programming Internships Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Twitch

Software Engineer, Safety

San Francisco, CA · On-site

... internship, school or solo projects. • Working knowledge of modern programming languages and ... Twitch is a social video platform where gamers can broadcast, watch, and talk about video games. It ...

Dolby

Software Development Engineer Intern

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$50 - $55/hr

The Dolby U internship program offers impactful, project-based work experience in a collaborative ... Experience with C and C++ fundamentals, including system-level programming, memory management, and ...

Roblox

Software Engineer, User Sharing

San Mateo, CA

This includes bringing moments (experiences) directly to the homepage driving game discovery, user ... Support and learn from peers, while beginning to mentor interns or newer engineers You may redact ...

Valeo

Software Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$96K - $156K/yr

... gaming, and immersive communications. You will be working as part of a cross-functional team of ... Mentoring of team members and interns What You Should Have: * Bachelor's degree in Electrical ...

Valeo

Software Engineer

San Mateo, CA

$96K - $156K/yr

... gaming, and immersive communications. You will be working as part of a cross-functional team of ... Mentoring of team members and interns What You Should Have: * Bachelor's degree in Electrical ...

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Game Programming Internships information

What is the difference between Game Programming Internships vs Game Development Internships?

AspectGame Programming InternshipsGame Development Internships
FocusWriting code, developing game mechanics, optimizing performanceDesigning game features, creating assets, overall game design
Skills RequiredProgramming languages (C++, C#), software developmentDesign tools, creativity, understanding of game design principles
Work EnvironmentTypically in software or game studios, coding teamsDesign teams, collaborative environments, cross-disciplinary roles

Game Programming Internships focus on coding and technical development, while Game Development Internships encompass broader design and creative tasks. Both roles often overlap but target different skill sets within the game industry.

What are game programming internships?

Game programming internships are temporary positions within video game development companies that allow students or recent graduates to gain hands-on experience in programming for games. Interns typically work alongside experienced developers, contributing to coding, debugging, and developing gameplay features or tools. These internships provide valuable exposure to industry-standard software, workflows, and collaborative environments, helping interns build their portfolios and professional networks. They are an excellent way for aspiring game programmers to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Game Programming Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Game Programming Intern, you generally need a solid understanding of computer science fundamentals, programming languages like C++ or C#, and coursework or experience in game development. Familiarity with game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine, source control systems like Git, and a portfolio of game projects are typically expected. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, adaptability, and effective communication are standout soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for contributing effectively to development teams, learning quickly, and making a meaningful impact on game projects.

What kinds of projects and tasks can I expect to work on during a game programming internship?

As a game programming intern, you'll typically assist with tasks such as debugging code, creating or refining gameplay features, and collaborating with designers and artists to implement new mechanics. You may also be involved in optimizing game performance, writing scripts for game events, or supporting the QA team in identifying and fixing bugs. Interns often work closely with experienced programmers, gaining insight into the full development cycle and contributing to both small and large-scale projects. This hands-on experience is valuable for building your portfolio and understanding real-world workflows in a game studio.
What are popular job titles related to Game Programming Internships jobs in California? For Game Programming Internships jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Game Programming Internships jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Game Programming Internships jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Game Programming Internships jobs? Cities in California with the most Game Programming Internships job openings:
Game Programming Internships jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Programming Internships job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 25% Internship, 50% Full Time, and 25% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.
Software Engineer I

Software Engineer I

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE)

San Diego, CA • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 21 days ago

Job description

Why Sony Interactive Entertainment?

Sony Interactive Entertainment isn't just the Best Place to Play - it's also the Best Place to Work. Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is the company behind the PlayStation brand. As a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, we're part of a proud legacy of innovation and excellence. SIE is a dynamic technology company, delivering cutting-edge hardware and network services to more than 100 million people and an entertainment leader, home to some of the most beloved and recognizable intellectual properties (IP) in the world. Our role at SIE is to create and nurture the experiences under the PlayStation brand, a name synonymous with entertainment excellence and creativity.

Software Engineer I - Trust & Safety Platform

PlayStation isn't just the Best Place to Play - it's also the Best Place to Work. Today, we're recognized as a global leader in entertainment producing The PlayStation family of products and services including PlayStation5, PlayStation4, PlayStationVR2, PlayStationPlus, PlayStationPC, acclaimed PlayStation software titles from PlayStation Studios, and more.

PlayStation also strives to create an inclusive environment that empowers employees and embraces diversity. We welcome and encourage everyone who has a passion and curiosity for innovation, technology, and play to explore our open positions and join our growing global team.

The PlayStation brand falls under Sony Interactive Entertainment, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation.

Location

San Diego

About the Team

We are building scalable Trust & Safety platforms and developer tools that help create safer online gaming experiences for players and creators worldwide. Our teams develop moderation systems, safety tooling, policy enforcement workflows, telemetry platforms, and operational infrastructure that support modern multiplayer and user-generated ecosystems.

This role sits at the intersection of backend systems, cloud infrastructure, web applications, analytics, and operational tooling. You will partner closely with platform engineers, trust & safety teams, game studios, and product stakeholders to design and deliver reliable systems that improve player safety, operational efficiency, and developer productivity.

What You'll Do

As a Software Engineer I, you will:

  • Design and build scalable web applications and backend services that power Trust & Safety operations and player protection systems.
  • Develop modern frontend experiences using React/TypeScript and backend services using Node.js, Python, Go, or similar technologies.
  • Build internal moderation tools, policy enforcement systems, telemetry dashboards, analytics platforms, and operational workflows.
  • Design APIs and platform services that integrate with multiplayer and live-service gaming ecosystems.
  • Contribute to cloud-native infrastructure running on Kubernetes/GCP/AWS, including CI/CD pipelines, observability, and deployment automation.
  • Improve reliability, scalability, and operational visibility across safety and platform services.
  • Partner with cross-functional teams including product managers, data engineers, security teams, policy stakeholders, and game studios.
  • Help drive automation and developer productivity through tooling, operational frameworks, and platform improvements.
  • Contribute to technical discussions and collaborate with senior engineers on platform design and implementation.
  • Learn and grow within a collaborative engineering culture focused on quality, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Areas You May Work On

Depending on your background and interests, you may contribute to:

  • Trust & Safety platforms and moderation systems
  • Policy enforcement workflows and operational tooling
  • Telemetry, analytics, and observability platforms
  • AI-assisted moderation and safety workflows
  • Developer tools and internal operational dashboards
  • Game platform APIs and backend services
  • CI/CD and deployment automation systems
  • Cloud-native infrastructure and orchestration
  • Reliability engineering and operational excellence initiatives
  • Studio-facing integrations and safety enablement tooling
QualificationsRequired Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field, or equivalent practical experience.
  • 1-3 years of software engineering experience through internships, academic projects, or professional work.
  • Experience with modern frontend technologies such as React, TypeScript, JavaScript, or similar frameworks.
  • Experience developing backend services or APIs using Node.js, Python, Java, Go, or similar languages.
  • Experience building and consuming RESTful APIs and microservices.
  • Experience with cloud platforms such as GCP, AWS, or Azure.
  • Familiarity with containerization and orchestration technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes.
  • Strong understanding of software engineering fundamentals, data structures, and problem-solving skills.
  • Experience working in collaborative Agile development environments.
  • Good communication and collaboration skills with a willingness to learn from cross-functional teams.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Internship, academic, or project experience working on scalable applications, gaming platforms, or live-service systems is a plus.
  • Familiarity with telemetry, analytics, operational tooling, or cloud technologies is a plus.
  • Interest in building developer tools, operational platforms, or internal web applications.
  • Interest in Trust & Safety systems, moderation tooling, abuse prevention, or player safety technologies.
  • Familiarity with CI/CD workflows, Git-based development, or cloud infrastructure is a plus.
  • Interest in automation, AI-assisted workflows, or platform engineering is a plus.
  • Passion for player safety, developer experience, and platform innovation.
What We Value

We are looking for engineers who:

  • Demonstrate curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to learn.
  • Enjoy solving technical problems and collaborating with others.
  • Communicate effectively and work well within a team environment.
  • Care about engineering quality, reliability, and user experience.
  • Are excited about building scalable systems and tools.
  • Have an interest in gaming, Trust & Safety, and platform technology.
  • Bring a growth mindset and a collaborative attitude.
Why Join Us

You'll have the opportunity to help shape the future of Trust & Safety technology in gaming while working on large-scale distributed systems, operational tooling, and developer platforms used across live gaming ecosystems.

You'll tackle technically challenging problems involving scalability, reliability, moderation workflows, telemetry, and cloud infrastructure - all while collaborating with talented engineers and cross-functional partners focused on creating safer and more inclusive player experiences.

If you are passionate about building scalable platforms, solving complex engineering challenges, and improving player safety through technology, we'd love to hear from you.

At SIE, we consider several factors when setting each role's base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location.
Please note that the base pay range may vary in line with our hybrid working policy and individual base pay will be determined based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.
In addition, this role is eligible for SIE's top-tier benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), paid time off, wellness program and coveted employee discounts for Sony products. This role also may be eligible for a bonus package. Clickhere to learn more.

The estimated base pay range for this role is listed below.
$137,300-$205,900 USD

Please note, Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles) and will need to process personal information to support these checks.

Please refer to ourCandidate Privacy Noticefor more information about what personal information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and your data protection rights.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.

We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.

Sony Interactive Entertainment is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.

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