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Junior Game Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Cloud Chamber

Senior Rendering Engineer

Novato, CA · On-site

$108K - $161K/yr

You'll collaborate with a passionate group of game developers including our Lead Rendering Engineer ... Mentor junior engineers. What We'll Do Together: At Cloud Chamber, we are champions of high ...

2K

Senior Rendering Engineer

Novato, CA · On-site

$108K - $161K/yr

You'll collaborate with a passionate group of game developers including our Lead Rendering Engineer ... Mentor junior engineers. What We'll Do Together: At Cloud Chamber, we are champions of high ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Rendering Engineer

Novato, CA · On-site

$108K - $161K/yr

You'll collaborate with a passionate group of game developers including our Lead Rendering Engineer ... Mentor junior engineers. What We'll Do Together: At Cloud Chamber, we are champions of high ...

2K

Senior Rendering Engineer

Novato, CA · On-site

$108K - $161K/yr

You'll collaborate with a passionate group of game developers including our Lead Rendering Engineer ... Mentor junior engineers. What We'll Do Together: At Cloud Chamber, we are champions of high ...

Roblox

Software Engineer, Communications

San Mateo, CA · On-site

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 ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Rendering Engineer

Novato, CA · On-site

$122K - $168K/yr

Cloud Chamber is dedicated to creating evocative and immersive BioShock games. As a Senior ... junior engineers. Qualifications : Required : • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related ...

Yum

Junior Architectural Designer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$88K - $97K/yr

... engineering, operations, marketing and other key departments to develop pipeline and review design ... and game room (yes, there is a Taco Bell inside the building) • Onsite dry cleaning, laundry ...

Yum Brands

Junior Architectural Designer

Irvine, CA · Hybrid

$88K - $97K/yr

... engineering, operations, marketing and other key departments to develop pipeline and review design ... game room (yes, there is a Taco Bell inside the building) Onsite dry cleaning, laundry services ...

Yum! Brands

Junior Architectural Designer

Irvine, CA · Hybrid

$88K - $97K/yr

... engineering, operations, marketing and other key departments to develop pipeline and review design ... game room (yes, there is a Taco Bell inside the building) Onsite dry cleaning, laundry services ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

... game, using both keyframe and augmented mocap techniques. * Work closely with programmers and ... Mentor, coach, and train more junior animators. What We'll Do Together: At Cloud Chamber, we are ...

2K

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

... game, using both keyframe and augmented mocap techniques. * Work closely with programmers and ... Mentor, coach, and train more junior animators. What We'll Do Together: At Cloud Chamber, we are ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA

$124K - $142K/yr

... game, using both keyframe and augmented mocap techniques. * Work closely with programmers and ... Mentor, coach, and train more junior animators. What We'll Do Together: At Cloud Chamber, we are ...

2K

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA

$124K - $142K/yr

... game, using both keyframe and augmented mocap techniques. * Work closely with programmers and ... Mentor, coach, and train more junior animators. What We'll Do Together: At Cloud Chamber, we are ...

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All JobsGame Developer JobsJunior Game Developer JobsJunior Game Developer Jobs in California

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 7, 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?

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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 59% Full Time, 29% Part Time, 4% Temporary, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,810 per year, or $42.2 per hour.

Senior Service Reliability Engineer

PlayStation Global

Aliso Viejo, CA • On-site

$172K - $258K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

Why Sony Interactive Entertainment?
Sony Interactive Entertainment isn't just the Best Place to Play - it's also the Best Place to Work. Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is the company behind the PlayStation brand. As a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, we're part of a proud legacy of innovation and excellence. SIE is a dynamic technology company, delivering cutting-edge hardware and network services to more than 100 million people and an entertainment leader, home to some of the most beloved and recognizable intellectual properties (IP) in the world. Our role at SIE is to create and nurture the experiences under the PlayStation brand, a name synonymous with entertainment excellence and creativity.
Senior Service Reliability Engineer
Location: Aliso Viejo | Hybrid
As a part of Sony Computer Entertainment, the Gaming, Developer and Future Technology Group (GDFT) is leading the cloud gaming revolution, putting console-quality video games on any device, from TVs to consoles to mobile devices and beyond.
Our Service Reliability Engineering team plays a significant role in delivering on the promise of a great cloud gaming experience to our customers. We do this by influencing design and operational decisions towards the overall stability of the gaming service. Our SREs focus on three main things: overall ownership of production, production code quality, and deployments. The successful candidate will be self-directed and able to participate in the way we make decisions at different levels.
We expect our SREs to have opinions on the state of our service and provide critical feedback during different phases of the operational lifecycle. We are engaged throughout the S/W development lifecycle, ensuring the operational readiness and stability.
Responsibilities
  • Taking a leadership role in ongoing improvements in Reliability and Scalability
  • Work closely with SRE Management to define KPIs, processes and drive continuous improvement
  • Influence the architecture and implementation of solutions within the division
  • Mentor more junior SRE staff and enable them for success
  • Act as a voice to represent SRE in the wider organization
  • Represent the operational scalability of solutions in the wider division
  • Lead small-scale projects from inception to implementation
  • Design platform-wide solutions and provide technical leadership during their implementation
  • Demonstrate a high-level of organizational skills and initiative in the role

Qualifications:
  • Minimum of 7+ years working experience in Software Development and/or Linux Systems Administration role.
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent expereince
  • Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
  • Available to be scheduled in on-call rotation.
  • Proficient as a Linux Production Systems Engineer, with experience managing large scale Web Services infrastructure.
  • Development experience in one or more of the following programming languages:
    • Python (preferred)
    • Bash, Go, Java, C++, or Rust
  • In addition, experience with at least 3 of the following topics:
    • Distributed data storage at scale (Hadoop, Ceph)
    • NoSQL at scale (MongoDB, Redis, Cassandra)
    • Data Aggregation technologies. (ElasticSearch, Kafka)
    • Scaling and running traditional RDBMS (PostgreSQL, MySQL) with High Availability
    • Monitoring & Alerting (Prometheus, Grafana), and Incident Management toolsets
    • Kubernetes and/or AWS (deployment and management)
    • Software Distribution (Package management and distribution at scale)
    • Configuration Management (ansible, saltstack, puppet, chef)
    • S/W Performance analysis and load testing (QA or SDET experience: a plus)

At SIE, we consider several factors when setting each role's base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location.
Please note that the base pay range may vary in line with our hybrid working policy and individual base pay will be determined based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.
In addition, this role is eligible for SIE's top-tier benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), paid time off, wellness program and coveted employee discounts for Sony products. This role also may be eligible for a bonus package. Click here to learn more.
The estimated base pay range for this role is listed below.
$172,100-$258,100 USD
Please note, Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles) and will need to process personal information to support these checks.
Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice for more information about what personal information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and your data protection rights.
Equal Opportunity Statement:
Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.
We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.
Sony Interactive Entertainment is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.

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