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Junior Game Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Discord

Solutions Architect, SF Bay Area

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$220K - $247K/yr

... junior team members. What you'll be doing * Technical Ownership * Own end-to-end solution architecture for AAA game developer accounts * Lead technical discovery sessions and architectural reviews ...

Naughty Dog

Senior Game Designer (Combat)

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$145K - $181K/yr

Work with AI programmers to develop foundational NPC technology and implementing and tuning enemy ... Mentor junior designers and contribute to the overall growth of the design team What skills you ...

American Golf

Junior Golf Instructor

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$50/hr

... game and the communities around it. We bring deep expertise in golf operations and club culture ... Job Purpose The Junior Golf Instructor supports the delivery of the junior golf program by ...

Roblox

Software Engineer, Communications

San Mateo, CA

You will work with various teams (Game Engine, Safety, ML platform) and products including backend ... If you are a developer with an understanding of large scale systems and want to shape how the next ...

New

Beta Soft System Inc.

Java Developer

Fremont, CA

$55.75 - $72.25/hr

Mentor junior members of the team. Qualifications Skills: Very strong in Core Java, J2EE, Spring ... Net-Flex, IGT , Game stock Corp, EA, Cap Com etc. * Entertainment: Sony, Walt Disney etc.

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Junior Game Developer information

See California salary details

$23.7K

$87.8K

$135.7K

How much do junior game developer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior game developer in California is $87,810.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,100.00 and $85,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Junior Game Developer do?

A Junior Game Developer is responsible for assisting in the creation and development of video games. They typically work under the supervision of more experienced developers, helping with tasks such as coding, debugging, and testing game features. Their duties may also include collaborating with artists and designers, learning new programming tools, and implementing small components of a game. This role serves as an entry point into the gaming industry, allowing individuals to gain valuable experience and grow their skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Junior Game Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Junior Game Developer, you need a solid understanding of programming languages like C++ or C#, familiarity with game engines such as Unity or Unreal, and a relevant degree or coursework in computer science or game development. Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git) and a basic grasp of 2D/3D asset integration are typically required. Creative problem-solving, teamwork, and a willingness to learn new technologies help set candidates apart in collaborative environments. These skills ensure efficient contribution to game projects, adaptability to evolving tools, and effective communication within development teams.

What Does a Junior Game Developer Do?

A junior game developer is another name for an entry-level game developer who assists experienced game developers with video game software design, creation, and testing. In this position, you learn your responsibilities and duties under the supervision of an expert game developer who teaches you the skills you need for the job. This includes tasks like coding games, designing graphics, developing a game for a specific gaming console or computer operating system, and testing the game for bugs. You also help create and optimize testing programs and processes to ensure that each game meets a company’s standards for its final products.

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

AspectJunior Game DeveloperGame Programmer
Required SkillsBasic programming, game design fundamentals, teamworkAdvanced programming, software development, coding expertise
Experience LevelEntry-level, internships, or 1-2 yearsTypically 2+ years, specialized coding experience
Work EnvironmentGame studios, indie developers, collaborative teamsDevelopment teams, technical departments in gaming companies
Common UsageAssisting in game development, learning coding practicesWriting game code, optimizing performance, debugging

While both roles involve programming in game development, a Junior Game Developer focuses on learning and supporting various aspects of game creation, whereas a Game Programmer specializes in coding, performance optimization, and technical implementation. The Junior Game Developer is ideal for those starting their careers, while the Game Programmer requires more advanced technical skills.

What are some common challenges faced by Junior Game Developers when working on a team project?

Junior Game Developers often encounter challenges such as adapting to collaborative workflows, understanding version control systems (like Git), and communicating effectively with designers, artists, and senior developers. Navigating code reviews and integrating feedback can also be daunting at first, but these experiences are invaluable for skill development. Over time, learning to balance creativity with project deadlines and technical constraints becomes an essential part of growth in this role.
More about Junior Game Developer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Game Developer jobs in California? The most popular types of Game Developer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Junior Game Developer jobs in California? For Junior Game Developer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Junior Game Developer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Junior Game Developer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Junior Game Developer jobs? Cities in California with the most Junior Game Developer job openings:
Junior Game Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Junior Game Developer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 12% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,810 per year, or $42.2 per hour.

Senior Gameplay Engineer, Game Studio

Netflix

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 29 days ago

Netflix rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

68th of 75 rated media

Job description

Netflix is one of the world's leading entertainment services with 278 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, films and games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can play, pause and resume watching as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, and can change their plans at any time.
The Role
Senior Gameplay Engineer, Game Studio
ABOUT OUR TEAM
We're a group of developers, artists, and storytellers who make games full of wonder, danger, and humor. Everyone at our studio, whether an industry vet or a new voice, impacts each game through collaborative feedback, mutual respect, and creative empowerment. If you want to make games that leave a meaningful impact on players, we want to hear from you.
We're looking for new teammates who deeply care about the work they do, the stories they tell, and the people they create with. As part of the Netflix team, we strive to hire the best and value integrity, excellence, respect, inclusion, and collaboration.
Learn how our story-loving game people came to join Netflix's team of game-loving story people.
ENGINEERING AT NIGHT SCHOOL
Software development is just as creative as other roles at Night School. Our engineering team highly values cross-disciplinary thinking. Creating great gameplay experiences requires engineers to not only imagine elegant, extensible, and optimized systems, but also to appreciate, communicate, and integrate with art, design, and narrative. Here, you'll flex your ingenuity and skill in multiple areas as needs arise, whether directly in our games, as part of a development support system, or as part of our in-house storytelling toolset, NightTools.
ABOUT THE ROLE
We're looking for a talented, driven, and passionate gameplay engineer to help us build the best experiences possible for our existing and upcoming games. As a Senior Gameplay Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in the design and development of gameplay mechanics that will define the player experience in our upcoming titles. We're seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual with proven experience in gameplay development, a keen eye for game design, and a passion for creating memorable gameplay experiences.
Responsibilities:
  • Collaborate closely with the design team to understand gameplay objectives and translate them into technical solutions.
  • Iterate with design to ensure those technical solutions "feel" right.
  • Optimize and maintain existing gameplay systems to ensure fluid and engaging player experiences.
  • Mentor and provide guidance to junior engineers, sharing your expertise in gameplay development.
  • Identify technical challenges and propose innovative solutions to overcome them.
  • Debug and resolve gameplay-related issues, ensuring high-quality and bug-free gameplay experiences.
  • Stay up-to-date with industry trends and emerging technologies to continually enhance our gameplay capabilities.

Skills & Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field (or equivalent work experience).
  • 7+ years of professional experience in gameplay development.
  • High proficiency with Unity.
  • Two or more published games for mobile, consoles, or desktop platforms.
  • Significant experience with C#.

About you:
  • Driven to maintain the highest-quality experiences for players.
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently as well as in a team.
  • Skilled at writing code that is elegant, extensible, and optimized.
  • A keen eye for design and the "feel" of a game.
  • Proficient at giving and receiving quality feedback.
  • Self-starter willing to seek out solutions and ask questions when necessary.
  • Mindful of the needs of a team as individuals and as a whole.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and celebrate diversity, recognizing that diversity of thought and background builds stronger teams. We approach diversity and inclusion seriously and thoughtfully. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service.

What Netflix employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Netflix logo

About Netflix

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with 222 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries, feature films and mobile games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

Industry

Arts, entertainment, and recreation

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Gatos, CA, US

Year founded

1997

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