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Game Software Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Spellbrush

Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Generalist Software Engineer About Us Here at Spellbrush , we're passionate about making a good ... Our games are characterized by a no-compromise approach to well-balanced gameplay married to a ...

Spellbrush

Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Generalist Software Engineer About Us Here at Spellbrush , we're passionate about making a good ... Our games are characterized by a no-compromise approach to well-balanced gameplay married to a ...

Discord

Software Engineer, Notifications

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$160K - $180K/yr

Discord plays a uniquely important role in the future of gaming, and we are focused on making it ... As a Software Engineer on Notifications, you'll own well-defined projects end-to-end, sweat the ...

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All JobsGame Software Engineer JobsGame Software Engineer Jobs in California

Game Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$62.7K

$145.6K

$202.8K

How much do game software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for game software engineer in California is $145,592.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,400.00 and $170,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges a game software engineer faces when collaborating with designers and artists?

Game Software Engineers often work closely with designers and artists to bring creative visions to life, which can present unique challenges. Common issues include translating artistic concepts into technical specifications, managing performance constraints without compromising visual quality, and ensuring smooth integration of assets into the game engine. Clear communication and iterative feedback are essential to balance creative goals with technical feasibility. Building strong cross-disciplinary relationships helps resolve conflicts and deliver a polished final product.

What does a game software engineer do?

A Game Software Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining the software that powers video games. They write code to implement gameplay features, graphics, artificial intelligence, user interfaces, and more. Game Software Engineers often work closely with artists, designers, and other developers to ensure the game runs smoothly and delivers an engaging experience to players. Their work involves problem-solving, optimizing performance, and often adapting to new technologies and platforms.

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

To thrive as a Game Software Engineer, you need strong proficiency in programming languages like C++ or C#, computer science fundamentals, and often a bachelor’s degree in a related field. Familiarity with game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine, version control systems like Git, and graphics APIs is typically required. Creativity, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills in this role. These skills are critical to building engaging, performant games while collaborating efficiently in a dynamic development environment.

What is the difference between Game Software Engineer vs Game Developer?

AspectGame Software EngineerGame Developer
Primary FocusDesigning and implementing game systems, engine developmentCreating game content, gameplay mechanics, and user experience
Skills & CredentialsStrong programming skills, computer science background, knowledge of game enginesProgramming, creativity, understanding of game design principles
Work EnvironmentOften in technical teams, focusing on software architectureInvolved in both technical and creative aspects, working closely with artists and designers

While both roles require programming skills and a passion for gaming, Game Software Engineers primarily focus on building the underlying systems and engine technology, whereas Game Developers concentrate on creating gameplay and content. The roles often overlap, but their core responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

What are popular job titles related to Game Software Engineer jobs in California? For Game Software Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Game Software Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Game Software Engineer jobs in California are:
Game Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Software Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $145,592 per year, or $70 per hour.

Software Engineer (ML/Game Development)

GungHo Online Entertainment America, Inc.

Redondo Beach, CA • On-site

$75K - $119K/yr

Full-time

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.

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