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Gameplay Software Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Cultureable

VOIP Software Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

Skip to Job Desc Server Software Engineer, VoIP Curse - Irvine, CA Curse's cloud services team is ... We're looking for someone who loves games, gets psyched about communication apps and is pumped ...

Visa Hunt

Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

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

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 ...

Liquid XR

Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

The Role We are seeking a Software Engineer to interface with embedded systems, machine learning models, and 3D game engines. This role focuses on building reliable, reusable systems that build upon ...

Liquid XR

Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

The Role We are seeking a Software Engineer to interface with embedded systems, machine learning models, and 3D game engines. This role focuses on building reliable, reusable systems that build upon ...

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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 Sep 7, 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.

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 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.

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 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.

VOIP Software Engineer

Cultureable

Irvine, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Skip to Job Desc

Server Software Engineer, VoIP 
Curse - Irvine, CA

Curse's cloud services team is looking for a talented server software engineer to help us design and develop large scale WebRTC-based services that power our gamer communication platform. The ideal candidate is an expert in VoIP and WebRTC and has successfully developed services that can handle high-load situations. We're looking for someone who loves games, gets psyched about communication apps and is pumped about bringing that enthusiasm to Curse. 

Curse offers flexible PTO, diverse health coverage plans, tickets to gaming conferences, and fun company activities. Fantastic perks, to be sure -- but these aren't why you should apply at Curse. Working at Curse is being excited to get up and go to work every day. Curse is collaborating with smart, dedicated, and motivated people who love playing games and making great tools for gamers. 

We've recently leveled up by becoming part of Twitch, the world's leading social video platform and community for gamers. We are all really excited to see how we can bring Curse services into the Twitch network, and provide an unparalleled experience to both Curse and Twitch users. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

  • Act as product owner for our VoIP server
  • Design, build, and maintain scalable and robust communication services
  • Collaborate with client engineers to ensure a seamless end to end VoIP solution
  • Participate in design and architecture sessions with other senior technical leads
  • Collaborate with QA engineers to ensure high-quality implementations

Qualifications 

  • A degree in Computer Science, a related Math or Engineering discipline, or equivalent industry experience
  • Deep knowledge of WebRTC server systems (DTLS, STUN, SRTP, SRTCP)
  • C# experience (or the desire and ability to quickly pickup a new language)
  • Experience building and scaling distributed, highly available systems
  • Experience debugging and performance tuning applications and services
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills

Preferred Qualifications 

  • Knowledge of Opus and VP8/VP9 codecs
  • Full-stack experience (server, desktop, and web) and a solid understanding of tools and how to debug problems on all systems
  • Experience developing in C++, TypeScript, and/or Go
  • Development experience building large scalable systems using SOA/microservices
  • Solid understanding of distributed systems, data stores, and data modeling
  • Passion about video games is a big plus

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at Curse. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

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