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Indie Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Spellbrush

Game Programmer (Unity)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

The Unity Engineer Role: We are looking for an experienced game engineer with strong C# and Unity ... small indie studio: close-knit, with high ownership and flexibility. You're excited about the ...

Spellbrush

Game Programmer (Unity)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

The Unity Engineer Role: We are looking for an experienced game engineer with strong C# and Unity ... small indie studio: close-knit, with high ownership and flexibility. You're excited about the ...

INVIZ

Community Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Manage relationships with our alliance network of creators - from indie animators to UGC developers * Collaborate with the marketing and content teams on YouTube rollouts and go-to-market strategies

Apple

Senior iOS Engineer, Apple Games

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$172K/yr

... and developer integrations that sit alongside it. We have an exciting roadmap supporting games ranging from mobile to indie to AAA, reaching deep into the operating system, with the unique ...

Mxdwn

Games Writer Intern (Unpaid)

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Writers will write and post daily articles on topics related to the most important happenings in gaming, from triple A developers like Activision and Electronic Arts to the Kickstarter-fueled Indie ...

mxdwn

Games Writer Intern (Unpaid)

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Writers will write and post daily articles on topics related to the most important happenings in gaming, from triple A developers like Activision and Electronic Arts to the Kickstarter-fueled Indie ...

Inviz

Community Manager

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

Manage relationships with our alliance network of creators -- from indie animators to UGC developers * Collaborate with the marketing and content teams on YouTube rollouts and go-to-market strategies

OpenPlay

Technical Product Manager

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$186K - $215K/yr

You will join a product manager and two additional engineers working with one of the world ... also indie bands). At our core is a fantastic team and a strong process that allows us to ...

INVIZ

Community Manager

Santa Monica, CA

$70K - $80K/yr

Manage relationships with our alliance network of creators -- from indie animators to UGC developers * Collaborate with the marketing and content teams on YouTube rollouts and go-to-market strategies

OpenPlay

Technical Product Manager

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$186K - $215K/yr

You will join a product manager and two additional engineers working with one of the world ... also indie bands). At our core is a fantastic team and a strong process that allows us to ...

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Indie Developer information

What is an indie developer?

Indie developers are individuals or small teams who create, design, and publish software, most commonly video games, without the financial support of a large company or publisher. They are known for their creative freedom, experimental ideas, and unique approaches to game development. Indie developers often handle multiple aspects of production themselves, including coding, art, marketing, and distribution. This allows them to innovate and take risks that larger studios might avoid, but it can also mean limited resources and smaller budgets. The rise of digital distribution platforms has made it easier for indie developers to reach global audiences.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an indie developer?

To thrive as an Indie Developer, you need strong programming skills, a solid understanding of game or app design principles, and ideally a relevant degree or portfolio showcasing completed projects. Familiarity with game engines (such as Unity or Unreal), version control systems (like Git), and possibly publishing platforms is often required. Creativity, self-motivation, and problem-solving abilities help Indie Developers stand out, as they often work independently or in small teams. These skills and qualities are crucial for independently bringing a project from concept to completion and successfully navigating the challenges of self-publishing.

What are some common challenges indie developers face when working independently and how can they be managed?

Indie developers often encounter challenges such as managing multiple roles (e.g., programming, art, marketing), limited budgets, and maintaining motivation over longer development cycles. Balancing creative freedom with practical business considerations can be difficult, as can building visibility for their games in a crowded market. To manage these challenges, it's helpful to set clear milestones, seek collaboration through online communities, and utilize free or low-cost development tools. Regularly sharing progress and networking with other developers can also provide valuable feedback and support.

What is the difference between Indie Developer vs Game Developer?

AspectIndie DeveloperGame Developer
CredentialsOften self-taught or with informal trainingTypically holds a degree in computer science, game design, or related fields
Work EnvironmentIndependent, small teams or solo projectsLarge studios or companies, collaborative teams
Industry UsageUsed for solo or small-scale game projectsUsed broadly across all game development levels
Search & Comparison IntentFocuses on independent, self-published gamesEncompasses all professional game development roles

Indie Developers are typically independent creators working solo or in small teams, often self-funding and self-publishing their games. Game Developers, on the other hand, usually work within larger studios or companies, following structured development processes. While both roles involve game creation, Indie Developers emphasize independence and smaller projects, whereas Game Developers may work on larger, commercial titles within a team environment.

How much do indie developers make?

Indie developers' earnings vary widely based on experience, project success, and platform, with many earning from a few thousand dollars annually to six-figure incomes for successful titles. Income often depends on skills in game design, programming, marketing, and distribution channels like app stores or digital marketplaces.

Is indie game development a good career?

Indie game development as a career involves creating and publishing games independently, often requiring skills in programming, design, and marketing. It can be rewarding but also competitive and financially uncertain, with success depending on creativity, persistence, and market understanding.
Indie Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Indie Developer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution.

Game Programmer (Unity)

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Spellbrush
Software Development • 1 - 10 employees
Learn more about Spellbrushexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

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 anime mobile tactics game.
Our game programmers are mostly generalists, so you can work on lots of different areas of the game. It's important that you take pride in your work and know what it means to take responsibility and deliver quality and fun to players. You are comfortable taking a feature from a vague idea on a post-it to a fully working and polished implementation.
You may be a good fit if:
You love Strategy RPGs
Our team draws tons of inspiration from titles like Fire Emblem, Final Fantasy Tactics, and X-Com. Our next title aims to bring the best of this genre onto the mobile screen.
And you also love the anime aesthetic
We're also huge anime fans if you haven't noticed.
You deeply understand Unity
We're looking for someone with 5+ years of programming experience and a high level of familiarity with Unity. A good candidate must have shipped at least one game with Unity (personal projects are great!) and have built up a sixth sense for what is the "happy path" in modern Unity development.
You're comfortable working on small, fast-paced teams
Working here will feel very much like a small indie studio: close-knit, with high ownership and flexibility.
You're excited about the potential of Generative AI
You'll also be working closely along some of the best AI researchers in the world. Part of working with our team may involve looking at our latest research results, and figuring out how to best apply it into the game. You will be at the literal cutting edge of what is possible with machine learning, art, and games.

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