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Junior Level Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Level Designer

Novato, CA · On-site

$100K - $148K/yr

As a Senior Level Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will be responsible for blocking out the world and ... Apply your years of experience and knowledge to mentor junior designers and encourage them to grow ...

As a Senior Level Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will be responsible for blocking out the world and ... Apply your years of experience and knowledge to mentor junior designers and encourage them to grow ...

Senior Level Designer

Novato, CA · On-site

$100K - $148K/yr

As a Senior Level Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will be responsible for blocking out the world and ... Apply your years of experience and knowledge to mentor junior designers and encourage them to grow ...

Senior Level Designer

Novato, CA · On-site

$100K - $148K/yr

As a Senior Level Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will be responsible for blocking out the world and ... Apply your years of experience and knowledge to mentor junior designers and encourage them to grow ...

Designer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$93K - $148K/yr

Final role level--Designer, Project Designer, or Senior Designer--will be aligned with experience ... Contribute to mentoring junior designers and supporting a collaborative studio culture. * Balance ...

Designer

Newport Beach, CA · On-site

$93K - $148K/yr

Final role level--Designer, Project Designer, or Senior Designer--will be aligned with experience ... Contribute to mentoring junior designers and supporting a collaborative studio culture. * Balance ...

Designer

Newport Beach, CA · On-site

$93K - $148K/yr

Final role level--Designer, Project Designer, or Senior Designer--will be aligned with experience ... Contribute to mentoring junior designers and supporting a collaborative studio culture. * Balance ...

Designer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$93K - $148K/yr

Final role level--Designer, Project Designer, or Senior Designer--will be aligned with experience ... Contribute to mentoring junior designers and supporting a collaborative studio culture. * Balance ...

Senior Designer

Newport Beach, CA · On-site

$109K - $116K/yr

... level designer with demonstrated leadership capabilities and extensive project experience. The Senior Designer will be responsible for leading design development, mentoring junior staff, and ensuring ...

About the Role We're seeking a Junior Associate Lighting Designer to join our team and contribute ... Portfolio demonstrating lighting design work or related projects Experience Level: Entry-level to 5 ...

RH is seeking a Junior Designer who will pioneer the development of our design business at RH ... Maintain a high level of engagement with and knowledge of the local luxury market OUR REQUIREMENTS ...

Junior Designer

Palm Desert, CA · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

RH is seeking a Junior Designer who will pioneer the development of our design business at RH ... Maintain a high level of engagement with and knowledge of the local luxury market OUR REQUIREMENTS ...

RH is seeking a Junior Designer who will pioneer the development of our design business at RH ... Maintain a high level of engagement with and knowledge of the local luxury market OUR REQUIREMENTS ...

Jr. Designer

Salinas, CA · Hybrid

$22.12 - $25.28/hr

... level of our business. We believe in cultivating a culture of inclusion and are dedicated to ... The Junior Designer I provides support to Designers and Sales personnel by assisting with research ...

Jr. Designer

Salinas, CA · On-site

$22.12 - $25.28/hr

... level of our business. We believe in cultivating a culture of inclusion and are dedicated to ... The Junior Designer I provides support to Designers and Sales personnel by assisting with research ...

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Showing results 1-20

Junior Level Designer information

See California salary details

$30.6K

$56K

$84.9K

How much do junior level designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior level designer in California is $55,955.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,900.00 and $64,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Junior Level Designer vs Graphic Designer?

AspectJunior Level DesignerGraphic Designer
Required CredentialsAssociate degree or relevant coursework, portfolioAssociate or bachelor’s degree in graphic design or related field, portfolio
Work EnvironmentDesign agencies, in-house teams, freelance projectsAdvertising agencies, media companies, corporate branding
Industry UsageUsed in game, web, and product design industriesPrimarily in marketing, advertising, and branding sectors

Junior Level Designers and Graphic Designers often share similar educational backgrounds and work environments. However, Junior Level Designers typically focus on digital, game, or product design projects, while Graphic Designers concentrate on visual branding, print, and marketing materials. Both roles require a strong portfolio and relevant skills, but their industry applications and project types differ.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a junior level designer?

To thrive as a Junior Level Designer, you need a solid understanding of game design principles, spatial awareness, and proficiency with level editing tools, typically supported by a relevant degree or portfolio. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as Unreal Engine, Unity, and 3D modeling tools like Blender is often expected. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong collaboration skills help you stand out in this role. These abilities ensure you can create engaging, functional levels that align with the game vision and enhance the player experience.

How does a junior level designer typically collaborate with other team members during the game development process?

As a Junior Level Designer, you’ll regularly work alongside artists, programmers, and senior designers to bring game environments to life. Collaboration often involves participating in team meetings, sharing early level mock-ups, and incorporating feedback to improve gameplay flow and aesthetics. You’ll also be expected to communicate your ideas clearly, adapt to project changes, and support other departments by making sure your level designs align with the overall vision and technical requirements. This teamwork helps ensure the final product is engaging, cohesive, and technically sound.

What is a junior level designer?

Junior Level Designers are entry-level professionals in the video game industry who assist in creating, planning, and implementing different stages or 'levels' within a game. They work under the supervision of senior designers, helping to develop layouts, gameplay mechanics, and interactive elements that enhance the player experience. Their responsibilities often include prototyping levels, balancing game difficulty, and collaborating with artists and programmers to ensure cohesion. This role is ideal for individuals passionate about gaming, creativity, and problem-solving, and often serves as a stepping stone to more advanced design positions.

What are the most commonly searched types of Level Designer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Level Designer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Junior Level Designer jobs in California?

For Junior Level Designer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Junior Level Designer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Junior Level Designer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Junior Level Designer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Junior Level Designer job openings:

Infographic showing various Junior Level Designer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, and 22% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $55,955 per year, or $26.9 per hour.

Senior Level Designer

2K

Novato, CA • On-site

$100K - $148K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday


Job description

As a Senior Level Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will be responsible for blocking out the world and crafting the player experience within the stunning narrative experience and systems-driven world of BioShock. At your core you are collaborative, compassionate, and authentic; a dedicated designer with a passion for creating memorable, immersive player experiences. You will be an integral part of a design team that is breathing life into a new and fantastical world.
What You'll Do:
  • Use Blueprint scripting to create gameplay content.
  • Design and block out world geometry.
  • Collaborate closely with world architects on layout, and other teams as needed, to implement the creative vision of the project.
  • Take the initiative on solving difficult or novel cross-disciplinary sequences or sections of content, and see them through from initial conception to completion.
  • Work with multi-disciplinary strike teams to improve the game in various focus areas (combat, AI, progression, exploration, narrative, etc).
  • Apply your years of experience and knowledge to mentor junior designers and encourage them to grow their skills.
  • Design and implement other scripted and systemic content throughout the game world.

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 to deliver a world-class AAA experience.
Skills & Experiences:
  • Shipped at least one AAA title as a designer.
  • 5+ years professional experience in video game design.
  • Self-motivated with an eye for solution-based problem solving.
  • Previous experience with Unreal is a plus.
  • Able to collaborate well across time zones in a global, multi-site organization.
  • Able to work well independently, in small pods, and in larger collaborative teams.
  • Able to succinctly and effectively document your work.
  • Excellent communications skills.
  • Ability to prioritize tasks and handle opposing priorities.

Who You Are:
As a collaboratively minded designer you are eager to work with a global design team to pitch and develop playable game content. You are a dreamer and a creator who isn't shy about sharing your ideas. At Cloud Chamber we encourage design theory discourse and the free exchange of ideas. You're able to give constructive feedback, and receive it as well. You're a gamer; always playing the next, new thing, often revisiting the oldies as well, learning from what you've played, good and bad, and sharing your findings with the team.
  • 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.
  • Experienced in working in cross-disciplinary teams with strong communication skills.
  • Persistent and self-motivated 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 ownership of tasks, striving to drive 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 $100,200 and $148,320 USD 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.