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Junior Game Programming Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA (NOW HIRING)

Senior Rendering Engineer

Novato, CA ยท 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 ...

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 ...

Senior Rendering Engineer

Novato, CA ยท 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 ...

Senior Rendering Engineer

Novato, CA ยท 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 ...

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA ยท 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 ...

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA ยท 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 ...

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA ยท 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 ...

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 ...

Graphics Engineer - NBA 2K

Novato, CA ยท On-site

$120K - $174K/yr

... our games.We welcome candidates across all experience levels, from junior to senior, with ... This position reports to the Lead Graphics Engineer. What You Will Do: * Explore and implement new ...

Graphics Engineer - NBA 2K

Novato, CA ยท On-site

$120K - $174K/yr

... our games.We welcome candidates across all experience levels, from junior to senior, with ... This position reports to the Lead Graphics Engineer. What You Will Do: * Explore and implement new ...

Graphics Engineer - NBA 2K

Novato, CA ยท On-site +1

$120K - $174K/yr

... our games.We welcome candidates across all experience levels, from junior to senior, with ... This position reports to the Lead Graphics Engineer. What You Will Do: * Explore and implement new ...

Graphics Engineer - NBA 2K

Novato, CA ยท On-site +1

$120K - $174K/yr

... our games.We welcome candidates across all experience levels, from junior to senior, with ... This position reports to the Lead Graphics Engineer. What You Will Do: * Explore and implement new ...

Senior Combat Designer (AI archetype)

Novato, CA ยท On-site

$119K - $128K/yr

... engineers to create industry-leading AI characters and combat gameplay. You will be responsible for ... A strong empathetic team member, able to take ownership over your tasks and mentor more junior ...

Senior Combat Designer (AI archetype)

Novato, CA ยท On-site

$119K - $128K/yr

... engineers to create industry-leading AI characters and combat gameplay. You will be responsible for ... A strong empathetic team member, able to take ownership over your tasks and mentor more junior ...

Senior Combat Designer (AI archetype)

Novato, CA ยท On-site

$119K - $128K/yr

... engineers to create industry-leading AI characters and combat gameplay. You will be responsible for ... A strong empathetic team member, able to take ownership over your tasks and mentor more junior ...

Junior Game Programming information

See Santa Rosa, CA salary details

$8

$29

$51

How much do junior game programming jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for junior game programming in Santa Rosa, CA is $29.47, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.88 and $36.25 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Junior Game Programmer, you need a solid grasp of programming fundamentals, mathematics, and computer science concepts, usually supported by a relevant degree or coursework. Familiarity with game development engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, version control systems like Git, and knowledge of languages such as C# or C++ are commonly required. Creativity, strong problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for building efficient, engaging games and collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams.

What are some common challenges faced by junior game programmers when working on a development team?

Junior game programmers often encounter challenges such as adapting to large, complex codebases and learning to work within established development pipelines. They may also find it demanding to balance feature requests with debugging and optimization tasks, all while meeting project deadlines. Collaboration is key, as junior programmers frequently interact with artists, designers, and senior developers to implement gameplay features and resolve technical issues. Proactively seeking feedback and being open to learning from teammates can help overcome these initial hurdles and lead to professional growth.

What is a Junior Game Programmer?

A Junior Game Programmer is an entry-level developer who assists in creating and maintaining the code that makes video games run. They typically work under the supervision of more experienced programmers, contributing to tasks such as gameplay mechanics, bug fixes, and tool development. Junior Game Programmers often use languages like C++ or C#, and collaborate closely with designers, artists, and other team members to bring game features to life. This role is ideal for those new to the game industry and looking to gain hands-on experience.

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

AspectJunior Game ProgrammingGame Programmer
Required CredentialsTypically a relevant degree or coursework, some experienceSame as Junior, but often with more professional experience
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, team-based game development projectsMore complex projects, possibly leading small teams
Employer & Industry UsageIndie studios, AAA companies, mobile game developersSame as Junior, but with higher expectations for skill and responsibility

Junior Game Programming roles are designed for entry-level developers with foundational skills, working under supervision. Game Programmers typically have more experience, handling complex coding tasks independently. The main difference lies in experience level and project complexity, with Junior roles serving as stepping stones to full Game Programmer positions.

What are popular job titles related to Junior Game Programming jobs in Santa Rosa, CA? For Junior Game Programming jobs in Santa Rosa, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Junior Game Programming jobs in Santa Rosa, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Junior Game Programming jobs in Santa Rosa, CA are:
What cities near Santa Rosa, CA are hiring for Junior Game Programming jobs? Cities near Santa Rosa, CA with the most Junior Game Programming job openings:
Infographic showing various Junior Game Programming job openings in Santa Rosa, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Full Time, 47% Part Time, and 20% Contract. Highlights an 60% In-person, and 40% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,301 per year, or $29.5 per hour.
Senior Rendering Engineer

Senior Rendering Engineer

2K

Novato, CA โ€ข On-site

$108K - $161K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 28 days ago


Job description

As a Senior Rendering Engineer at Cloud Chamber you will join our talented development team to help push Unreal Engine 5 towards our combined vision. You'll collaborate with a passionate group of game developers including our Lead Rendering Engineer, Technical Artists, and Art Direction. You will be responsible for modifying core shaders, developing new rendering technologies, working to integrate third party solutions, and making performance optimizations for rendering based challenges, all of which will ultimately help in bringing the richly imagined world of BioShock to life.
What You'll Do:
  • Execute creative technical solutions based on concept art and art direction.
  • Translate Art direction into rendering code, shaders and systems.
  • Create new tools and efficient pipelines for content production.
  • Debug visual and performance issues related to rendering.
  • Effectively communicate with artists towards performant solutions.
  • Actively improve skill sets and abilities by keeping aware of industry trends, and learn new techniques.
  • Mentor junior engineers.

What We'll Do Together:
At Cloud Chamber, we are champions of high standards, pushing for progress and embracing change. We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams to realize our creative ambitions. Together, we will stay current on technological advancements and identify solutions to overcome developmental obstacles.
Skills & Experiences:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related discipline.
  • 5+ years industry or related experience.
  • Experience shipping at least one AAA console and/or PC game.
  • Previous experience working in a senior role as a Graphics or Rendering Engineer.
  • Strong 3D Math skills.
  • Strong C/C++ experience.
  • Experience with modern GPUs and low level graphics APIs on the latest generation of gaming platforms.
  • Experience using graphics debugging tools and performance profiling.
  • Strong understanding and familiarity with current Unreal Engine technology desired.
  • Exposure to third-party tools like Houdini, Substance Painter, and Z-Brush in terms of how they can function in a graphics pipeline is a bonus.

Who You Are:
  • A reliable, positive force multiplier, actively seeking opportunities to integrate work across disciplines and contribute to a healthy, supportive team environment.
  • A solid communicator with excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, package information for diverse audiences, and deliver difficult feedback with empathy and professionalism.
  • A persistent and self-motivated person with a proactive mindset.
  • Able to maintain effectiveness and quality under pressure, ambiguity, and fast-changing priorities.
  • An active listener able to build and maintain trust-based relationships across all levels of the organization, understand differing perspectives, and navigate organizational complexity with tact and emotional intelligence.
  • Highly open to feedback and direction, possessing a desire to learn new skills, and capable of producing quick, quality revisions based on new insights or constraints.
  • A strong owner of your tasks, who strives to drive their work forward autonomously while maintaining a critical eye for detail and organization, ensuring high standards of quality.
  • Dedicated to upholding Cloud Chamber's core values, contributing to a positive and respectful company culture while striving for excellence in all endeavors.

Who We Are:
At Cloud Chamber we strive to make BioShock games that move people: evocative, immersive, and meaningful experiences that stay with you long after you've rolled credits. Great games are born from great collaborations, supported by a culture that brings out the best in our teams. We work openly, learn through play, take ownership, push ourselves to be better, and deliver for our players.
The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $108,900 - $161,160 per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program. Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company's discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses.
For candidates located in Quebec:This position requires professional proficiency in both French and English. Proficiency in English is required to collaborate with our U.S. teams and international partners, as well as to handle specialized technical documentation (reading, writing, and communication).
As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform their essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us if you need reasonable accommodation.
Please note that 2K Games and its studios never use instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews. When emailing prospective employees, we only use 2K.com accounts.