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Gaming Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

... gaming Company : Echtra Games is a game studio comprised of seasoned developers who helped and shaped the world of action role-playing games. It is a sub-organization of Zynga. Founded in 2016, the ...

... gaming Company : Echtra Games is a game studio comprised of seasoned developers who helped and shaped the world of action role-playing games. It is a sub-organization of Zynga. Founded in 2016, the ...

The Client is seeking a talented Gameplay Engineer (Designer Programmer) to join its team of passionate gamers. Ability to drive gameplay aspects of the game development process. Work effectively as ...

... gaming Company : Echtra Games is a game studio comprised of seasoned developers who helped and shaped the world of action role-playing games. It is a sub-organization of Zynga. Founded in 2016, the ...

... gaming Company : Echtra Games is a game studio comprised of seasoned developers who helped and shaped the world of action role-playing games. It is a sub-organization of Zynga. Founded in 2016, the ...

... gaming Company : Echtra Games is a game studio comprised of seasoned developers who helped and shaped the world of action role-playing games. It is a sub-organization of Zynga. Founded in 2016, the ...

You are a game-development professional, eager to be a key contributor on a dynamic, happy team. We ... Understanding of concurrent programming * Basic relational database abilities (SQL, Postgres or AWS ...

The Unity Engineer Role: We are looking for an experienced game engineer with strong C# and Unity skills. You will be working closely with a small, multidisciplinary team to build out our upcoming ...

The Unity Engineer Role: We are looking for an experienced game engineer with strong C# and Unity skills. You will be working closely with a small, multidisciplinary team to build out our upcoming ...

iOS Game Developer

Los Angeles, CA

$55.75 - $76.75/hr

We're looking for iOS engineers to join our game studio! You will work on exciting new casual games with very high visibility and will help design game-play features and optimizations on multiple ...

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Gaming Developer information

See California salary details

$15

$17

$24

How much do gaming developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for gaming developer in California is $17.76, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.07 and $17.07 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a gaming developer do?

A Gaming Developer is responsible for designing, creating, and programming video games for computers, consoles, or mobile devices. They work on various aspects of game development including gameplay mechanics, graphics, artificial intelligence, and user interfaces. Gaming Developers collaborate with artists, designers, and other programmers to bring a game from concept to completion. Their work involves problem-solving, creativity, and technical expertise to ensure an engaging and smooth gaming experience.

What is the difference between Gaming Developer vs Game Designer?

AspectGaming DeveloperGame Designer
Primary RoleProgram and build the game, focusing on coding, mechanics, and technical implementationDesign game concepts, storylines, gameplay mechanics, and user experience
Required SkillsProgramming languages (C++, C#), software development, problem-solvingCreativity, storytelling, game mechanics design, user experience
Work EnvironmentTypically in a development team, collaborating with artists and designersOften in a creative team, working closely with developers and artists
Industry UsageCommonly employed in game studios, tech companies, and indie projectsFound in game studios, design firms, and freelance roles

While Gaming Developers focus on coding and technical implementation, Game Designers concentrate on creating the game's concept, mechanics, and user experience. Both roles are essential and often collaborate closely in game development projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a gaming developer?

To thrive as a Gaming Developer, you need strong programming skills (such as C++, C#, or Java), a deep understanding of game design principles, and typically a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, as well as knowledge of version control systems and graphics tools, is essential. Creativity, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork skills help developers innovate and collaborate on complex projects. These skills ensure the creation of engaging, high-quality games that perform well and provide excellent user experiences.

What are some common challenges gaming developers face when working on large-scale multiplayer games?

Gaming Developers working on large-scale multiplayer games often encounter challenges such as ensuring server stability, maintaining real-time synchronization across multiple players, and optimizing game performance to prevent lag. Collaboration with network engineers and QA testers is essential to identify and resolve issues quickly. Additionally, balancing gameplay and implementing effective anti-cheat measures are ongoing tasks that require coordination with designers and security specialists.
Infographic showing various Gaming Developer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 18% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,949 per year, or $17.8 per hour.

Staff Product Marketing Manager, Developer and Publishers

Discord

San Francisco, CA โ€ข On-site

$204K - $229K/yr

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

We're seeking a strategic Staff Product Marketing Manager to build and lead the go-to-market strategy for Discord's Unified Developer Platform, focused on helping game developers and publishers build richer social experiences, grow their communities, and deepen player engagement through Discord's platform.

You'll drive product adoption by building robust go-to-market and Business Development enablement programs, defining activation goals, and partnering closely with Business Development, Developer Operations, Product, and Developer Relations to successfully bring new platform capabilities to market. This role will play a key part in accelerating adoption of Discord's Unified Developer Platform across the Gaming industry.ย 

If you're a self-starter and team player who excels in fast-paced environments and zero to scale projects, this is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on Discord's developer ecosystem and shape the future of our platform business. We're looking for an experienced, strategic PMM who is passionate about developers, gaming, and building products that enable partners to succeed.

What You'll Be Doing

  • Develop and execute go-to-market strategies for Discord's developer platform through market research, customer segmentation, competitive analysis, and targeted programs that drive developer awareness, adoption, and long-term platform growth.
  • Lead activation initiatives across Discord's platform portfolio by crafting differentiated messaging, value propositions, positioning, and go-to-market motions that resonate with game developers and publishers.
  • Build and scale impactful Business Development and Developer Operations enablement programs-including training, playbooks, product collateral, competitive positioning, implementation guidance, objection handling, and customer-facing tools-to empower internal teams to successfully bring Discord's platform to market.
  • Define and track platform adoption goals, activation KPIs, and business metrics, continuously refining go-to-market strategies to improve developer adoption and create scalable, repeatable growth.
  • Act as the voice of developers and strategic partners, translating customer insights into actionable recommendations that influence product strategy, roadmap prioritization, positioning, and future platform investments.
  • Partner with Business Marketing, Developer Relations, and Communications to establish Discord's thought leadership within the gaming developer ecosystem through industry events, customer stories, technical content, and strategic partnerships.
  • Lead cross-functional go-to-market planning and execution across Product Management, Engineering, Business Development, Developer Operations, Developer Relations, Marketing, Design, and Legal to ensure successful product launches and organizational readiness.

What you should have

  • 7+ years of Product Marketing experience in B2B technology, gaming, developer platforms, SaaS, APIs, SDKs, or platform businesses.
  • Experience developing and executing go-to-market strategies for technical products and driving adoption through Business Development, Partnerships, or other customer-facing teams.
  • Experience building scalable enablement programs, including messaging, positioning, launch materials, training, playbooks, and customer collateral.
  • Strong understanding of developer ecosystems, technical audiences, and how to translate complex platform capabilities into compelling customer value propositions.
  • Excellent strategic thinking, communication, and storytelling skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and executive stakeholders.
  • Experience working in ambiguous, fast-moving environments and excitement for building new products, business models, and go-to-market motions from the ground up.
  • Passion for gaming, developers, and helping partners build successful communities on Discord.

Candidates must reside in or be willing to relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma counties). Relocation assistance may be available.

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $204,000 to $229,000 + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role and level. Within the range, individual pay is determined by additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include equity, or benefits.