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Gameplay Software Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Motocol

Gameplay Engineer

Glendale, CA

$25/hr

Work with systems and tools used in professional software development, such as source control ... Production-level ability in one game programming language, such as C#. Working knowledge of ...

Qualcomm

Senior GPU Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$130K - $171K/yr

As a leading technology innovator, Qualcomm pushes the boundaries of what's possible to enable next-generation gaming, XR, and AI experiences. Qualcomm Graphics Software Engineers architect, design ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsGameplay Software Engineer JobsGameplay Software Engineer Jobs in California

Gameplay Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$79.9K

$143.5K

$202.3K

How much do gameplay software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for gameplay software engineer in California is $143,455.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $114,500.00 and $170,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a gameplay software engineer?

Gameplay Software Engineers are specialized software developers who focus on designing and implementing interactive features and systems within video games. They work closely with game designers, artists, and other programmers to bring gameplay mechanics, character controls, artificial intelligence, and user interfaces to life. Their responsibilities often include writing code for game logic, prototyping new features, fixing bugs, and optimizing performance to ensure a smooth and engaging gaming experience.

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

AspectGameplay Software EngineerGame Developer
Primary FocusDesigning and implementing gameplay features and mechanicsCreating overall game content, including coding, art, and design
Skills & CertificationsProficiency in C++, game engines (Unity, Unreal), scriptingVaries widely; may include programming, art, design, project management
Work EnvironmentGame studios, development teams, often specialized rolesBroader roles, including design, programming, or production teams

While both roles involve game development, a Gameplay Software Engineer specializes in coding gameplay features and mechanics, whereas a Game Developer may handle a broader range of tasks including content creation and overall game design. The roles often overlap but differ in scope and focus.

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

To thrive as a Gameplay Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills in languages like C++ or C#, a background in computer science or software engineering, and a solid understanding of game development concepts. Familiarity with game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine, and experience using version control systems like Git, are typically required. Creativity, collaboration, and strong problem-solving abilities help set top candidates apart in this role. These skills are crucial for efficiently building engaging, high-quality gameplay features and working effectively within multidisciplinary game development teams.

How does a gameplay software engineer typically collaborate with designers and artists during the game development process?

Gameplay Software Engineers work closely with designers and artists to bring creative visions to life. They frequently participate in cross-disciplinary meetings to understand gameplay mechanics, user experience goals, and visual requirements. Collaboration often involves rapid prototyping, iterative feedback, and integrating new assets and mechanics into the game engine. Effective communication and adaptability are essential, as requirements can evolve throughout development, requiring engineers to balance technical constraints with creative aspirations.

What are popular job titles related to Gameplay Software Engineer jobs in California?

For Gameplay Software Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Gameplay Software Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Gameplay Software Engineer jobs in California are:

Gameplay Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Gameplay Software Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 88% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 85% In-person, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $143,455 per year, or $69 per hour.

Software Engineer II

PlayStation Global

San Mateo, CA

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description

Position Overview: 

How would you like to work on a global team developing industry leading audio software for the PlayStation platforms? Do you want to craft the future of game audio? Are you the type of person who gets excited when discussing audio algorithms and optimizations? If this sounds like you, we have a unique opportunity to join Sony PlayStation on our Platform Audio team! 

Our Platform Audio team seeks an enthusiastic software engineer who can build and implement technology used for 3D audio and hardware DSP acceleration. Your contributions will directly affect both our console users and game developers. If this is you, please apply! 

Responsibilities: 

  • Systems level multi-threaded programming and debugging using C/C++ 
  • Implement DSP algorithms on embedded audio hardware accelerators 
  • Design and implement new features of the audio API for our platform SDK 
  • Collaborate with international counterparts to contribute to the design, development, and evaluation of audio algorithms and APIs 

Qualifications: 

  • Four years or more of embedded systems programming using C/C++ 
  • Experience as a primary contributor in a similar field(audio, acoustics, DSP) 
  • Experience with low-level system architecture concepts such as memory mapping, DMA, multi-threading, assembly code 
  • Proficient with standard software development tools, source control, and issue tracking 
  • Experience with SIMD vectorization and optimizations for real-time performance 
  • Experience profiling and debugging performance bottlenecks in audio systems 
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Nice to have: 

  • Competency in digital signal processing (sampling, filtering, FFT, convolution) 
  • Prior exposure to game audio / audio middleware 
  • Experience with GPU development 
  • Knowledge in psychoacoustics and 3D audio (HRTFs, object-based audio) 

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