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Internship Indie Game Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$85K - $115K/yr

... game programming (can include academic projects, modding, or indie development) * Solid understanding of object-oriented programming principles * Hands-on experience with Unreal Engine (UE4 or UE5 ...

$14.25 - $18.50/hr

We are searching for an Unreal game developer intern (Pflichtpraktikum / mandatory internship) who is motivated to contribute to the success of our game development. Join the Core Squad We will ...

Gameplay Programmer Intern

Cary, NC · On-site

$119K - $132K/yr

We're constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development. ENGINEERING - GAMES ... The ability to react and respond effectively to constructive feedback This internship has a ...

Gameplay Programmer Intern

Cary, NC · On-site

$119K - $132K/yr

We're constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development. ENGINEERING - GAMES ... The ability to react and respond effectively to constructive feedback This internship has a ...

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

Showing results 21-40

Internship Indie Game Developer information

See salary details

$32.5K

$108.5K

$180K

How much do internship indie game developer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for internship indie game developer in the United States is $108,471.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,500.00 and $124,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.
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Infographic showing various Internship Indie Game Developer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 27% Internship, 49% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 12% Contract. Highlights an 92% In-person, 4% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,471 per year, or $52.1 per hour.

Activision 2027 Summer Internships - Game Engineering

Woodland Hills, CA

Raven Software
PC Games • 201 - 500 employees

$17.75 - $23/hr

Temporary, Internship

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Job Title:Activision 2027 Summer Internships - Game EngineeringRequisition ID:R028102:

Activision is looking for talented and innovative students to join our teams for summer 2027. All interns will receive a meaningful project and an unparalleled experience. We'll provide the tools and resources you need to learn. The challenging and creative work you do throughout your internship will directly impact the team you are contributing to.

All internships will be conducted in-person. Hosting managers will determine when and how often interns work in the office. All interns will have the option to opt into relocation services (flights, trains, or car mileage reimbursement). Additionally, all interns will be provided with a living stipend to subsidize housing, utility, commuting, and miscellaneous costs.

Program Requirements

  • Currently enrolled in a certificate, associate's, bachelor's, or master's degree program and graduating December 2027 - June 2028

  • Available to participate in a 12-week internship starting in mid-May or mid-June

  • Currently residing in the US or open to relocating oneself to the US

  • Exhibits learning agility; has the ability to think differently, and/or grasp and apply new skills and concepts

  • Approaches problems in a clear, well-organized, and solutions-oriented manner

  • Works well with others and contributes to team tasks

  • Able to effectively communicate problems, solutions, needs, or priorities

  • Is engaged, seeks to learn, and is able to manage time effectively

  • A passion for significantly impacting game development

  • Applicants must apply with a resume

Internship Opportunities

Audio Engineering Internship:
Work with the audio team to develop the systems and tools that bring gameplay to life. In this role, you'll help create responsive game audio experiences and support content creators in shaping them.

Requirements:

  • Proficient in a programming language, preferably C++

  • Interest in audio, music or audio technology

  • Proven game programming experience with audio is a plus (personal or professional)

  • Familiarity with audio middleware such as Wwise or FMOD is helpful, but not required

Hosting Locations: Treyarch (Playa Vista, CA)

Gameplay Engineering Internship:

Partner across teams developing gameplay and features for our games. You will be working on a shipping title, with a mentor, on a team managing multiple projects against competing deadlines. This role will focus on implementing new features or mechanics into a shipping title.

Requirements:

  • Proficient in a programming language, preferably C++

  • Knowledge of mathematics for 3D graphics, particularly linear algebra

  • An eagerness to collaborate and innovate on game side code

  • Proven game programming experience a plus (personal or professional)

Hosting Locations: Raven Software (Middleton, WI)

Physics Engineering Internship:

Be a part of a world class physics engineering team where you'll work with a multinational group of developers to achieve a standalone feature for Call of Duty runtime. This role will directly impact how players experience Call of Duty.

Requirements:

  • Strong proficiency in C++

  • Strong knowledge of 3D Math/Linear Algebra

  • An eagerness to collaborate and innovate on collision geometry, simulation and query

  • Knowledge of kinematics and physical behavior simulation

  • Proven game programming experience a plus (personal or professional)

Hosting Locations: Infinity Ward (Woodland Hills, CA)

Online & UI Technology Engineering Intern:
Work with both the Online and UI Technology teams to help build and support player-facing experiences across our games. This role focuses on the intersection of user experience and online systems, acting as a bridge between game clients, backend services, and the interfaces through which players interact with game features. As an intern, you will contribute to both gameplay-adjacent systems and the underlying technology that powers social features, progression, commerce, and multiplayer experiences.

Requirements:

  • Strong proficiency in C++

  • Passion for game development and creating engaging player experiences

  • Understanding of client/server architecture and networking fundamentals

  • Familiarity with multiplayer game systems and distributed system concepts

  • Interest in UI development, usability principles, and player-centered design

  • Ability to learn and work with both front-end game systems and backend service integrations

  • Eagerness to collaborate with engineers across gameplay, UI, and online technology disciplines

Hosting Locations: Treyarch (Playa Vista, CA)

UI Engineering Intern:

UI Engineers focus on one part of the framework within the game engine that the UI will be built upon, and one part the active User Interface our players will see in game. We work on both the underlying code systems that make it work, and all the shiny buttons and menus you interact with!

Requirements:

  • Strong proficiency in C++

  • An eagerness to collaborate and innovate on game side code

  • A passion for creating something brand new

  • Familiarity with UI fundamentals and practices

  • Experiences with UI Editors is a plus

Hosting Locations: Raven Software (Middleton, WI)

Our World

At Activision, we strive to create the most iconic brands in gaming and entertainment. We're driven by our mission to deliver unrivaled gaming experiences for the world to enjoy, together. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty, Crash Bandicoot, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, and Guitar Hero. As a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and products, our "press start" is simple: delight hundreds of millions of players around the world with innovative, fun, thrilling, and engaging entertainment experiences.

We're not just looking back at our decades-long legacy; we're forging ahead to keep advancing gameplay with some of the most popular titles and sophisticated technology in the world. We have bold ambitions to create the most inclusive company as we know our success comes from the passionate, creative, and diverse teams within our organization.

We're in the business of delivering fun and unforgettable entertainment for our player community to enjoy. And our future opportunities have never been greater - this could be your opportunity to level up.

Ready to Activate Your Future?

The video game industry and therefore our business is fast-paced and will continue to evolve. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this role may be changed as directed by the Company at any time to promote and support our business and relationships with industry partners.

We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about changing the games industry. Not sure you meet all qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable assistance to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a disabled individual requiring an accommodation to apply for an open position, please email your request to accommodationrequests@activisionblizzard.com. General employment questions cannot be accepted or processed here. Thank you for your interest.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, among other characteristics.

Rewards

We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for 'Every World' - we've got our employees covered! Subject to eligibility requirements, the Company offers comprehensive benefits including:

  • Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance;
  • 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching;
  • Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave;
  • Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others;
  • If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.

Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company. You can learn more by visiting https://www.benefitsforeveryworld.com/.

In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $20.00 - $50.00 Hourly. These values reflect the expected base pay range of new hires across all U.S. locations. Ultimately, your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. Your Talent Professional can share this role's range details for your local geography during the hiring process. In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed. While we strive to provide competitive offers to successful candidates, new hire compensation is negotiable.Employment Type: INTERN