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Junior Gameplay Programmer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

2K

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Work closely with programmers and designers to support a multitude of features. * Collaborate with ... Mentor, coach, and train more junior animators. What We'll Do Together: At Cloud Chamber, we are ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Work closely with programmers and designers to support a multitude of features. * Collaborate with ... 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

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Work closely with programmers and designers to support a multitude of features. * Collaborate with ... 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

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Work closely with programmers and designers to support a multitude of features. * Collaborate with ... Mentor, coach, and train more junior animators. What We'll Do Together: At Cloud Chamber, we are ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Rendering Engineer

Novato, CA · On-site

$108K - $161K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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

$108K - $161K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

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Junior Gameplay Programmer information

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How much do junior gameplay programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for junior gameplay programmer in California is $26.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.15 and $32.74 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a junior gameplay programmer?

A Junior Gameplay Programmer is an entry-level role in game development focused on implementing and maintaining gameplay mechanics. They work closely with designers, artists, and senior programmers to bring gameplay features to life, using programming languages like C++ or C#. Responsibilities may include writing scripts, debugging, optimizing performance, and integrating assets. They typically work within a game engine such as Unity or Unreal Engine. This role helps build technical and problem-solving skills while gaining experience in game development workflows.

What does a junior gameplay programmer do?

A typical day for a Junior Gameplay Programmer involves collaborating closely with designers and artists to implement and tweak gameplay features, writing and testing code, and fixing bugs or gameplay issues. You may participate in daily stand-up meetings, review code with senior developers, and iterate on prototypes based on team feedback. The work is dynamic and often requires balancing coding tasks with creative problem-solving. As part of a multidisciplinary team, you'll regularly communicate and coordinate to ensure that all game mechanics work seamlessly within the overall design. This hands-on experience provides a great opportunity to learn best practices and grow into more advanced programming roles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a junior gameplay programmer?

To thrive as a Junior Gameplay Programmer, you need proficiency in programming languages such as C++ or C#, a solid understanding of game development principles, and a relevant degree in computer science or a related field. Experience with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, version control systems (e.g., Git), and a portfolio showcasing interactive projects are typically expected. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, adaptability, and a willingness to learn will help you excel in dynamic game development environments. These skills and qualities are critical for efficiently creating engaging gameplay features, troubleshooting issues, and contributing effectively to collaborative projects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Gameplay Programmer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Gameplay Programmer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Junior Gameplay Programmer jobs in California?

For Junior Gameplay Programmer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Junior Gameplay Programmer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Junior Gameplay Programmer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Junior Gameplay Programmer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Junior Gameplay Programmer job openings:

Junior Gameplay Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Junior Gameplay Programmer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 7% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $55,334 per year, or $26.6 per hour.

Cocos2d-x Junior Game Developer

YO AI Labs

San Francisco, CA • Remote

$78K - $102K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Cocos2d-x Junior Game Developer

Job Type: Contractor

Location: Remote

Job Summary: In this role, you'll apply your expertise to help train next-generation AI systems. Your work will shape how models learn, reason, and perform through high-quality, real-world input. No prior experience in AI is required — your domain knowledge is what matters.

Key Responsibilities:

  1. Develop and refine game logic, mechanics, and features using Cocos2d-x for prototype and production-level projects.
  2. Collaborate closely with the customer's team to provide high-quality real-world input for AI training processes.
  3. Create, modify, and troubleshoot game assets and scenes to support a diverse set of training objectives.
  4. Test, debug, and optimize Cocos2d-x code to ensure robust and efficient gameplay experiences.
  5. Document code and processes thoroughly, ensuring clarity for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  6. Engage in open, clear written and verbal communication to report project status and challenges.
  7. Work iteratively in response to feedback, consistently improving deliverables for AI development needs.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

  1. Solid knowledge of Cocos2d-x and hands-on experience with 2D game development workflows.
  2. Strong problem solving and troubleshooting abilities in a game development context.
  3. Experience collaborating remotely with distributed teams in a fast-paced environment.
  4. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a focus on clear, concise updates and documentation.
  5. Ability to follow technical specifications and adapt to evolving project requirements.
  6. Understanding of game design principles and player experience optimization.
  7. Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and eager to grow within a dynamic AI training environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

  1. Experience working on projects for AI training or data generation purposes.
  2. Familiarity with additional game engines or programming languages.
  3. Background in collaborating with AI or machine learning specialists.