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Indie Game Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Spellbrush

Game Programmer (Unity)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

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

Spellbrush

Game Programmer (Unity)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

We are looking for an experienced game engineer with strong C# and Unity skills. You will be ... 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

You've worked at an indie game studio, animation collective, or startup where creators, fans, and ... Manage relationships with our alliance network of creators - from indie animators to UGC developers

INVIZ

Community Manager

Santa Monica, CA

You've worked at an indie game studio, animation collective, or startup where creators, fans, and ... UGC developers * Collaborate with the marketing and content teams on YouTube rollouts and go-to ...

Apple

Senior iOS Engineer, Apple Games

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$172K/yr

Join the Game Services UI team to help build the Apple Games app and the user-facing gaming ... We have an exciting roadmap supporting games ranging from mobile to indie to AAA, reaching deep ...

Apple

Senior iOS Engineer, Apple Games

Cupertino, CA

$184K - $277K/yr

Join the Game Services UI team to help build the Apple Games app and the user-facing gaming ... We have an exciting roadmap supporting games ranging from mobile to indie to AAA, reaching deep ...

Absurd Ventures

Lead Game UX/UI Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$150K - $190K/yr

Collaborate with game designers, artists, and engineers to ensure UI/UX meets project requirements ... Previous work on AAA titles or high-profile indie games. Description * Full-time job with benefits.

Apple Inc.

Senior iOS Engineer, Apple Games

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$181.10 - $272.10/hr

Join the Game Services UI team to help build the Apple Games app and the user-facing gaming ... We have an exciting roadmap supporting games ranging from mobile to indie to AAA, reaching deep ...

Elsewhere

Engineering Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120K - $159K/yr

Job Summary : Elsewhere is hiring an Engineering Lead to write code, build infrastructure, and ... games, even as indie or side projects. • Eagerness to share rough prototypes and in-progress ...

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All JobsIndie Game Developer JobsIndie Game Developer Jobs in California

Indie Game Developer information

See California salary details

$32.1K

$107K

$177.6K

How much do indie game developer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for indie game developer in California is $107,050.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,400.00 and $122,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an indie game developer?

An Indie Game Developer is someone who creates video games independently or as part of a small team, without the financial backing of a large publisher. They handle multiple aspects of game development, including programming, design, art, and marketing. Indie developers have creative freedom but also face challenges like funding and distribution. Many release their games on platforms like Steam, itch.io, or consoles through self-publishing.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be an indie game developer?

To thrive as an Indie Game Developer, you need proficiency in game design, coding (typically in languages like C# or C++), and digital art or asset creation, often supported by a background in computer science, game development, or related fields. Fluency with engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine, version control systems like Git, and experience with publishing platforms are highly valuable. Strong project management, creativity, problem-solving abilities, and self-motivation are crucial soft skills, as many indie developers work in small teams or independently. These skills are essential for managing the full game development lifecycle, overcoming technical and creative challenges, and successfully bringing original games to market.

What challenges do indie game developers face and how can they be managed?

Indie Game Developers often face challenges such as limited budgets, small teams, and the need to multitask across a variety of roles including programming, design, and marketing. Balancing creative vision with practical constraints like deadlines and resource availability requires strong time management and adaptability. Many indie developers address these challenges by leveraging game development communities for feedback, using open-source tools or affordable assets, and continually learning new skills. Collaboration and networking with other developers can also provide valuable support and opportunities for partnership. Ultimately, being proactive and resourceful helps indie developers overcome obstacles and achieve their project goals.

What are the most commonly searched types of Indie Game Developer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Indie Game Developer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Indie Game Developer jobs in California?

For Indie Game Developer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Indie Game Developer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Indie Game Developer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Indie Game Developer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Indie Game Developer job openings:

Indie Game Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Indie Game Developer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $107,050 per year, or $51.5 per hour.

Developer Evangelist - Community (CIS)

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Xsolla
PC Games • 201 - 500 employees
Learn more about Xsollaexternal

$90 - $140/hr

Other

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

ABOUT YOU

TheDeveloper Evangelist – Communityis the public face of Xsolla in the game developer ecosystem, building trust, engagement, and advocacy across online and offline communities. This role focuses ontechnical content creation including coding, SDKs and APIs, community presence, and relationship-buildingto help game developers discover, adopt, and succeed with Xsolla’s products.

We are looking for a specialist based in the CIS region or Serbia. The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with excellent communication skills, thrives in partner-facing interactions, and is ready to travel regularly across the CIS region.

You will act as astoryteller and connector—translating complex technical concepts into accessible, inspiring content while ensuring Xsolla has a strong, credible voice in the most relevant developer spaces.

ABOUT US:

Xsolla is a global commerce company with robust tools and services to help developers solve the inherent challenges of the video game industry. From indie to AAA, companies partner with Xsolla to help them fund, distribute, market, and monetize their games. Grounded in the belief in the future of video games, Xsolla is resolute in the mission to bring opportunities together, and continually make new resources available to creators. Headquartered and incorporated in Los Angeles, California, Xsolla operates as the merchant of record and has helped over 1,500+ game developers to reach more players and grow their businesses around the world. With more paths to profits and ways to win, developers have all the things needed to enjoy the game.

For more information, visit xsolla.com.

RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Establish and maintain a strong presence in top game developer communities .
  • Represent Xsolla at developer conferences, meetups, and industry events .
  • Organize and participate in developer meetups, hackathons, and regional gatherings.
  • Produce high-quality technical and inspirational materials, including: Articles, blog posts, and tutorials. Videos, webcasts, and looms. Social media stories, posts, and developer updates.
  • Keep all content up to date and aligned with the latest product releases and best practices.
  • Collaborate with Developer Marketing to amplify content reach and engagement.
  • Act as a trusted liaison between developers and Xsolla’s Product/Technical teams.
  • Gather, organize, and share feedback from the community to help improve product features and documentation.
  • Identify opportunities for lighthouse integration cases and partner with internal teams to bring them to life.
  • Track and report on: Reach and engagement of produced content. Community participation and growth. Developer satisfaction with materials and events.
  • Use insights to refine outreach tactics and maximize impact.
QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
  • 3-5 years in Developer Advocacy, Community Management, or related roles, ideally in the game industry.
  • Technical background and software development experience.
  • Solid understanding of game development processes and tools (mobile, PC, and/or web).
  • Proven ability to produce engaging technical content across multiple formats.
  • Strong presence in online developer communities and comfort in public speaking.
  • Excellent communication, storytelling, and interpersonal skills.
  • Fluent in both Russian and English, with excellent written and spoken communication skills.
  • Ability to travel for partner visits, conferences, and training events - primarily across the CIS region.

Xsolla takes your privacy seriously and will not sell or externally distribute any personal data received during the hiring process. In accordance with applicable data protection laws, Xsolla is committed to protecting your personal information and respecting your privacy.

For any inquiries related to data privacy, please contact: careers@xsolla.com

Explore more opportunities at: https://xsolla.com/careers

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