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Online Game Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Rockstar Games

Software Engineer (C#/.NET)

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$101K - $134K/yr

Rockstar is on the lookout for a passionate Software Engineer who considers software development to ... The Rockstar Games Online Services team creates connected experiences that are found across our ...

Avani Technology Solutions, Inc.

SDET Level 2

San Diego, CA · On-site

$53 - $68.50/hr

R-2877907 SDET Level 2 Amazon.Com, Inc. San Diego, CA 92127 12 Months ****/hour Top 3 Skills 1.) C ... Experience working on large scale, commercial online game services. Experience with large scale ...

Motocol

Gameplay Engineer

Glendale, CA · On-site

$25/hr

An ideal candidate has Mobile Unity Game development, C# and a passion for games, mobile or any ... The Client is seeking a talented Gameplay Engineer (Designer Programmer) to join its team of ...

Intrepid Studios

Gameplay Programmer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$136K - $151K/yr

Company Description Founded in 2015, Intrepid Studios is the independent developer and publisher of ... Develop online gameplay features in Unreal engine * Learn and adopt the coding standards and ...

Intrepid Studios

Gameplay Programmer

San Diego, CA

$136K - $151K/yr

Company Description Founded in 2015, Intrepid Studios is the independent developer and publisher of ... Develop online gameplay features in Unreal engine * Learn and adopt the coding standards and ...

Roblox

Senior Software Engineer - Core UX Studio

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$139K - $183K/yr

... online games on the Roblox platform. Who wouldn't want to do that? Studio provides tools for 3D modeling, animation, complete SDLC and testing for teams and individual game developers. This role does ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsOnline Game Developer JobsOnline Game Developer Jobs in California

Online Game Developer information

See California salary details

$52.4K

$119.5K

$186.7K

How much do online game developer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for online game developer in California is $119,454.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $92,300.00 and $153,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an online game developer?

Online Game Developers are professionals who design, create, and maintain games that are played over the internet. They work with programming languages, game engines, and network technologies to build interactive and engaging multiplayer experiences. Their responsibilities include coding gameplay mechanics, integrating online features like chat or leaderboards, and troubleshooting server or connectivity issues. Online Game Developers often collaborate with artists, designers, and testers to deliver a polished final product.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an online game developer?

To thrive as an Online Game Developer, you need strong programming skills (in languages like C++, C#, or Java), a solid understanding of game design principles, and often a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine, version control systems, and network programming is typically required. Creativity, teamwork, and effective problem-solving are essential soft skills for collaboration and innovation. These skills are crucial for creating engaging, high-performing online games and ensuring seamless multiplayer experiences.

What are some common challenges faced by online game developers when working on multiplayer features?

Online game developers often encounter challenges related to server stability, latency, and synchronization when building multiplayer features. Ensuring a smooth, fair gaming experience for players worldwide requires careful handling of network communications, cheat prevention, and real-time data management. Developers also need to collaborate closely with back-end engineers, QA testers, and community managers to promptly address bugs and balance gameplay. Regular communication and agile workflows are essential to adapt to evolving player needs and technical requirements.

What is the difference between Online Game Developer vs Mobile Game Developer?

AspectOnline Game DeveloperMobile Game Developer
Required SkillsProgramming, multiplayer systems, server managementMobile platforms, touch interfaces, app store optimization
Work EnvironmentGame studios, online gaming companiesMobile app development, indie studios
Industry UsageMassively multiplayer online games, browser gamesCasual, puzzle, and mobile-specific games

Online Game Developers focus on creating multiplayer and server-based online games, often involving complex networking. Mobile Game Developers specialize in developing games for smartphones and tablets, optimizing for touch controls and app stores. While both roles require programming skills and game design knowledge, their platforms and target audiences differ significantly.

What are the most commonly searched types of Game Developer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Game Developer jobs in California are:

Online Game Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Online Game Developer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 68% Full Time, 29% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 19% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,454 per year, or $57.4 per hour.

Software Engineer, Developer Success

Discord

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$160K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

Discord has a highly engaged community of millions of daily active users who use the platform for many different reasons, but there's one thing that nearly everyone does: play video games. Discord plays a uniquely important role in the future of gaming, and we are focused on making it easier and more fun for people to hang out before, during, and after playing games.
People come to Discord before, during, and after gaming, and we want to make that experience even better. The Developer Success team is building the tools for game developers to make that happen by harnessing the power of Discord from right within their games. We believe that gaming is better when playing with your friends and aim to foster better and deeper relationships through that. This is also reflected in how we work! Our engineering culture believes that great teams are built through collaboration and trust. Come and join us!
What You'll Be Doing
  • Building features for game developers across the Discord app, developer portal, APIs, realtime infrastructure, and Social SDK.
  • Collaborating with other engineers on your team to write, review, and ship elegant and scalable code. You'll take pride in the fact that your code will be enjoyed by millions and millions of people!
  • With support from your team, you'll own your projects end-to-end, from initial design through post-launch. Along the way, you'll help break high-level ideas into concrete tasks with milestones, build and ship them.
  • Listening and working with our game developer partners to better understand their needs in order to improve our features and tools. This could mean hopping into partner meetings as a technical resource or working with our DevRelations team to answer their questions.
  • Working with product managers, designers, and partner managers to find the way forward through ambiguity.
  • Using your attention to detail to continually raise the quality bar of the software we write.

What you should have:
  • At least 1-3 years experience as a software engineer.
  • Experience with game development.
  • Experience with C++ and TypeScript, with the ability to quickly learn new programming languages, technologies, and systems.
  • A sense for product and design. We don't operate in silos, and you'll be collaborating closely with cross-functional peers. You should be willing to share opinions and collaborate to make something great.
  • A growth mindset. You're not afraid to dive into new code, learn new things, or ask for help when you're blocked. You learn from your mistakes and work through obstacles with the rest of the team.
  • You actively leverage AI coding tools to accelerate your productivity.

[Optional] Bonus Points
  • Experience with mobile development.
  • Experience with Unreal and/or Unity game engines
  • Experience with C#, Elixir and Rust

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $160,000 to $180,000 + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role and level. Within the range, individual pay is determined by additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include equity, or benefits.
Why Discord?
Discord plays a uniquely important role in the future of gaming. We're a multiplatform, multigenerational and multiplayer platform that helps people deepen their friendships around games and shared interests, and helps developers build and grow their businesses. We believe games give us a way to have fun with our favorite people, whether listening to music together or grinding in competitive matches for diamond rank. Join us in our mission! Your future is just a click away!
Discord is committed to inclusion and providing reasonable accommodations during the interview process. We want you to feel set up for success, so if you are in need of reasonable accommodations, please let your recruiter know.
Please see our Applicant and Candidate Privacy Policy for details regarding Discord's collection and usage of personal information relating to the application and recruitment process by clicking HERE.

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