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Gameplay Programmer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Striking Distance Studios

Lead Gameplay Engineer

San Ramon, CA · On-site

$112K - $147K/yr

They are seeking a Lead Gameplay Engineer to guide a team in implementing various gameplay features and systems, ensuring high-quality game development. Responsibilities : • Lead a team of Gameplay ...

Tolan

Principal Gameplay Engineer - Unity

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$200K - $300K/yr

The Role We're hiring a Principal Gameplay Engineer to define and own the core interactions of the Tolan world and the moment-to-moment "juice" that makes the app feel alive. You'll obsess over the ...

Spellbrush

3D Game Programmer (Unity)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Think MiSide with LLMs, but truly integrated with gameplay, not just a RP chatbot. About Us Here at ... We're looking for a strong Unity engineer who loves 3D story-driven games. You'll join our lead ...

Epic Games

Animation Systems Programmer

Larkspur, CA · On-site

$167K - $245K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

What You'll Do Epic Games is looking for an experienced Animation Systems Programmer for our ... Special Projects team. As a member of our team, you will play a critical role in driving future ...

1X Technologies AS

Senior to Staff Gameplay Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$190K - $280K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you've built believable NPCs, conversational AI systems, or complex gameplay engine systems, you'll find many of the same engineering challenges here-except the characters are real. Your Charter ...

Amazon

Game Designer, Amazon Game Studios

Culver City, CA

$169K/yr

Working in a publishing capacity, you'll establish respectful and collaborative relationships with world-class game developers. You thrive in an entrepreneurial environment and will collaborate with ...

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All JobsGameplay Programmer JobsGameplay Programmer Jobs in California

Gameplay Programmer information

See California salary details

$95.2K

$133.5K

$141.6K

How much do gameplay programmer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for gameplay programmer in California is $133,461.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,300.00 and $141,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Gameplay Programmer vs Game Developer?

AspectGameplay ProgrammerGame Developer
Primary FocusImplementing gameplay features, mechanics, and systemsDesigning, developing, and managing entire game projects
Skills & CredentialsProgramming skills, understanding of game engines, scriptingProgramming, design, project management, often with broader skill set
Work EnvironmentTypically within a development team, focused on coding and implementationVaries from coding to design, often in larger teams or studios

While both roles involve programming, Gameplay Programmers specialize in creating and implementing gameplay mechanics, whereas Game Developers oversee broader aspects of game creation, including design and project management. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and employer expectations in the gaming industry.

What is a gameplay programmer?

A gameplay programmer helps develop, document, test, and debug online or mobile game systems. Responsibilities include writing code with scripting languages such as C++, JavaScript, HTML, and Python; looking for ways to modify code; implementing functionalities such as controls, AI, and NPC behaviors within an established framework; and fixing design issues. They must communicate and work closely with other programmers to provide technical and creative feedback and meet project goals. Qualifications to become a gameplay programmer include a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science or a similar field and fluency in programming languages.

What does a gameplay programmer do?

A Gameplay Programmer is responsible for implementing the interactive elements of a video game, such as character controls, game rules, and mechanics. They work closely with designers and artists to turn creative concepts into playable features, ensuring that gameplay is both fun and functional. Their tasks often include writing code for player actions, AI behavior, and in-game systems, as well as debugging and optimizing game performance. Gameplay Programmers play a crucial role in shaping the overall experience and feel of a game.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a gameplay programmer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Gameplay Programmer, you need a strong background in computer science, proficiency in programming languages like C++ or C#, and experience with game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine. Familiarity with version control systems, debugging tools, and, in some cases, relevant certifications in game development is also valuable. Creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving are crucial soft skills for collaborating with designers and artists to bring game mechanics to life. These skills ensure the creation of engaging, efficient, and high-quality gameplay experiences that meet both technical and creative goals.

How does a gameplay programmer typically collaborate with designers and artists during game development?

Gameplay programmers work closely with designers to translate creative concepts into interactive mechanics, implementing features such as controls, rules, and character abilities. They also collaborate with artists to ensure animations, visual effects, and assets integrate smoothly with the codebase. Regular communication, prototyping, and iterative testing are crucial, as gameplay programmers often participate in multidisciplinary meetings and provide technical feedback to refine the player experience. This dynamic teamwork helps ensure that gameplay elements are both fun and technically feasible.
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Gameplay Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Gameplay Programmer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $133,461 per year, or $64.2 per hour.

Lead Gameplay Engineer

Striking Distance Studios

San Ramon, CA • On-site

$112K - $147K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
Striking Distance Studios is a AAA development studio focused on delivering creative excellence in game development. They are looking for a Lead Gameplay Engineer to implement a wide variety of features and systems, leading a team to create best-in-class game modes and ensuring successful project execution.
Responsibilities:
• Lead a team of Gameplay Engineers to create best in class Game Modes.
• Lead the overall planning, development, and execution of the game, engine and architecture.
• Establish tech projects, initiatives, and processes in conformance with the studio’s goals and objectives.
• Take new products and features from the design phase to release.
• Work across disciplines to build, refactor and maintain a variety of robust, flexible, and well-architected gameplay features, including controls, abilities, AI, and RPG systems.
• Prototype and implement different game modes.
• Work with design team on different features like 3Cs, combat systems, inventory, etc. to get the best player experience.
• Implement metagame features, including save systems, game settings, etc.
• Work with UI engineers to integrate HUD elements with gameplay features in the best way.
• Review the work of other engineers and provide mentorship on your area of knowledge.
• Create and maintain technical design documents.
• Delve into code written by other engineers and take ownership of existing systems as needed.
• Keep current on technological developments and advancements.
• Research and develop coding techniques and algorithms.
• Collaborate with technology director on technical design and feature roll out.
• Write clear, maintainable, portable, and highly performant code.
• Communicate accurate status updates to your team leads, producers, and QA regarding tasks/features you are responsible for.
• Adhere to team coding standards and best practices.
• Foster a culture of open, honest, and respectful communication across all disciplines.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Bachelor's degree in software engineering, computer science, or equivalent.
• At least 7 years of games industry experience and preferably 3 years or more in a similar role.
• Advanced leadership skills, including high empathy, strategic thinking, positivity, organization, responsibility and conflict resolution skills.
• At least 1 year of experience with Unreal Engine.
• Experience shipping games on current generation consoles (PS5 or XSX) and PC.
• Expert ability to be self-directed, focused and detail oriented.
• Expert C++ skills.
• 3D math skills.
• Expert verbal and written communications skills.
• A demonstrable love / passion for playing and making video games.
• A highly communicative and collaborative disposition.
Company:
Striking Distance Studios specializes in the development of video and computer games. It is a sub-organization of Krafton. Founded in 2019, the company is headquartered in San Ramon, USA, with a team of 51-200 employees. The company is currently Growth Stage.

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