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Indie Game Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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 channels were part of a single living ecosystem. You're comfortable being a visible voice for the ...

INVIZ

Community Manager

Santa Monica, CA

$70K - $80K/yr

You've worked at an indie game studio, animation collective, or startup where creators, fans, and channels were part of a single living ecosystem. You're comfortable being a visible voice for the ...

Absurd Ventures

Lead Game UX/UI Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$150K - $190K/yr

Previous work on AAA titles or high-profile indie games. Description * Full-time job with benefits. * Role is on-site in Santa Monica, CA. * Office is located near downtown Santa Monica - near metro ...

TapBlaze

Game Designer, Casual F2P

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$167K/yr

Play and deeply analyze casual games across genres, Match-3, Time Management, Simulation, Indie, Cozy, Narrative on an ongoing basis. * Develop a strong mental model of TapBlaze's player base: who ...

TapBlaze

Game Designer, Casual F2P

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$167K/yr

Play and deeply analyze casual games across genres, Match-3, Time Management, Simulation, Indie, Cozy, Narrative on an ongoing basis. * Develop a strong mental model of TapBlaze's player base: who ...

Mxdwn

Games Writer Intern (Unpaid)

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

... fueled Indie scene. If you're looking to jumpstart a career in game journalism, mxdwn Games is a great place to begin. If interested, email your resume and a writing sample as well as a short ...

mxdwn

Games Writer Intern (Unpaid)

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

... fueled Indie scene. If you're looking to jumpstart a career in game journalism, mxdwn Games is a great place to begin. If interested, email your resume and a writing sample as well as a short ...

Elsewhere

Engineering Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120K - $159K/yr

... games, even as indie or side projects. • Eagerness to share rough prototypes and in-progress builds. • A love for games in general. You're well-versed in everything from modern indie and AAA hits ...

SupportFinity™

Creative Director, Gaming

Culver City, CA · On-site

$120 - $160/hr

The ideal candidate brings a proven track record in leading integrated marketing campaigns, including AAA, mobile, indie, and GaaS titles. You are comfortable translating audience insights and game ...

Apple, Inc.

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 · 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 ...

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Indie Game information

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How much do indie game jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for indie game in California is $20.67, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.99 and $23.51 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an indie game?

An Indie Game job refers to working in the development, design, marketing, or publishing of independently created video games. Unlike large studios, indie game teams are usually smaller, with individuals taking on multiple roles. These jobs can include game design, programming, art, sound design, and business management. Indie game developers often have more creative freedom but may face challenges in funding and marketing. Many indie developers work as freelancers or start their own game studios.

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

To thrive as an Indie Game Developer, you need strong skills in game design, programming languages (such as C# or Unity), as well as a solid understanding of digital art and audio integration. Familiarity with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, and version control systems such as Git, is typically essential, though formal education is often less critical than portfolio quality. Creativity, self-motivation, and the ability to manage time effectively are key soft skills in this often self-driven field. These skills are crucial because indie developers often handle multiple aspects of game production and must independently push projects from concept to completion.

What are the biggest challenges faced by indie game developers and how can they be overcome?

One of the biggest challenges for Indie Game Developers is managing limited resources while handling various aspects of game creation, from programming and design to marketing and distribution. Time management and prioritization skills are essential to ensure that the project stays on track without sacrificing quality. Networking with other developers, seeking feedback early, and utilizing available online resources or communities can help overcome hurdles and refine your game. Many developers also find success by clearly defining the game's scope and focusing on building a strong, unique core experience rather than trying to match larger studio productions. Understanding these challenges and developing strategies to address them can significantly improve your chances for both creative fulfillment and commercial success.

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

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

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

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

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Indie Game jobs?

Cities in California with the most Indie Game job openings:

Indie Game jobs near you
Infographic showing various Indie Game job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% Internship, and 95% Full Time. Highlights an 89% In-person, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,990 per year, or $20.7 per hour.

Community Manager

INVIZ

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

Invisible Narratives, the first-of-its-kind tra-digital studio, is looking for a Community Manager to help scale a fast-growing slate of creator-led IP. This is a hands-on, front-facing role embedded in the heart of fandoms, creator networks, and YouTube ecosystems - with an equal focus on engagement, creator support, and operational oversight.
Who We're Looking For
You're part community lead, part YouTube strategist, part brand steward. You've worked at an indie game studio, animation collective, or startup where creators, fans, and channels were part of a single living ecosystem. You're comfortable being a visible voice for the brand - hosting AMAs, answering lore questions, and managing creator relationships - but you also know how to use the backend: CMS, metadata, analytics, and compliance workflows.
You'll work across fan communities, creator networks, and YouTube channels - helping grow engagement, enforce best practices, and translate insights into action. This isn't a community job in name only - you'll be at the center of how our IP lives, evolves, and scales.
What You'll Do
  • Actively engage across Discord, YouTube, X, Reddit, and other community platforms
  • Be a visible, trusted voice in the community - leading AMAs, town halls, and fan-facing updates
  • 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
  • Manage YouTube CMS tasks, including metadata updates, channel structure, playlisting, and end-screen/post optimization
  • Monitor compliance and brand alignment across partner channels - ensuring creators follow usage guidelines, brand safety requirements, and content obligations
  • Track and report analytics from both fan communities and YouTube channels, surfacing trends, feedback, and red flags
  • Coordinate with external agencies and internal teams to align messaging and strategy
  • Contribute to content planning, surprise community drops, and fan-facing events

What You Need
  • 2-4 years experience in community management, YouTube operations, or digital marketing
  • Strong working knowledge of YouTube CMS, channel structure, metadata optimization, and platform policies
  • Experience working with creator networks or digital IP (animation, gaming, or UGC platforms preferred)
  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to manage both fan expectations and creator relationships
  • Familiarity with Discord, Reddit, and social ecosystems where fan and creator communities thrive
  • Excellent written communication and real-time engagement instincts
  • Proficiency in basic analytics/reporting tools (YouTube Studio, Discord admin, or social dashboards)
  • Bonus: light design or motion skills for community content or channel assets

You'll be the connective tissue between the studio, creators, and fans - helping us build something bigger than just a show or a game. If you've lived in the trenches of internet fandoms and creator platforms, we want you in ours.
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About INVIZ

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Arts, entertainment, and recreation

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Monica, CA, US

Year founded

2018

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