ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Internship Indie Game Developer Jobs in California

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

Xsolla

AI-First Engineering Intern

Los Angeles, CA

$20 - $25/hr

... game industry. From indie to AAA, companies partner with Xsolla to help them fund, distribute ... We're offering AI Engineer Internships in regions across the globe to help drive that shift ...

Xsolla

AI-First Engineering Intern

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$20 - $25/hr

... game industry. From indie to AAA, companies partner with Xsolla to help them fund, distribute ... We're offering AI Engineer Internships in regions across the globe to help drive that shift ...

INVIZ

Community Manager

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

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, 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 ...

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.

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 ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsIndie Game Developer JobsInternship Indie Game Developer JobsInternship Indie Game Developer Jobs in California

Internship Indie Game Developer information

What is an internship indie game developer?

Internship Indie Game Developers are students or entry-level professionals who work with small, independent game studios to gain hands-on experience in creating video games. They typically assist with tasks such as programming, game design, art creation, or testing under the guidance of experienced developers. These internships provide valuable learning opportunities about the entire game development process and the unique challenges faced by indie studios. Often, intern roles are unpaid or offer modest compensation, but they can be a crucial stepping stone for aspiring game developers looking to build their portfolios and industry connections.

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

To thrive as an Internship Indie Game Developer, you need a solid grasp of programming fundamentals (often C# or C++), basic game design principles, and a portfolio of small projects or coursework. Familiarity with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, version control systems (e.g., Git), and relevant coursework or certifications are highly beneficial. Creativity, willingness to learn, problem-solving, and strong teamwork skills help you stand out in collaborative, fast-changing environments. These skills and qualities are crucial for effectively contributing to small teams and adapting to the dynamic nature of indie game development.

How does an internship indie game developer typically collaborate with other team members during a game project?

As an Internship Indie Game Developer, you'll often work closely with a small, multidisciplinary team, including artists, designers, and programmers. Collaboration is highly interactive, with frequent brainstorming sessions, daily stand-ups, and shared feedback cycles. You may be asked to take on a variety of tasks, such as prototyping gameplay features, fixing bugs, or contributing to design discussions, which helps you gain a broad understanding of the game development process. The open and flexible structure of indie teams provides hands-on learning opportunities and encourages proactive communication.

What is the difference between Internship Indie Game Developer vs Junior Game Programmer?

AspectInternship Indie Game DeveloperJunior Game Programmer
Required CredentialsTypically enrolled in or recent graduate of game design, computer science, or related programsSimilar educational background, often with some programming coursework or experience
Work EnvironmentStartups, indie studios, or self-directed projects, often remote or flexibleGame development studios, often in team settings, sometimes remote
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in indie and small studio contexts, focusing on learning and contributionCommon in larger studios, focusing on coding and technical implementation

Both roles require foundational knowledge in game development and programming. An Internship Indie Game Developer typically focuses on gaining experience in game design, development, and project management within indie or startup environments. A Junior Game Programmer emphasizes coding, debugging, and technical tasks within a team. While their responsibilities differ, both roles serve as entry points into the game industry, with overlapping educational backgrounds and work environments.

Are there game dev internships?

Yes, game development internships are available at many companies and studios, offering opportunities for students and entry-level developers to gain experience in areas such as programming, design, and art. These internships often require knowledge of game engines like Unity or Unreal and may be offered during summer or semester periods.

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 Internship Indie Game Developer jobs in California?

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

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

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

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

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

Internship Indie Game Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Internship Indie Game Developer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 8% Internship, 65% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 92% In-person, and 8% Remote job distribution.

Game Programmer (Unity)

Spellbrush

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 25 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.

Apply