1

Online Programmer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and ... What we need: 31st Union is looking for a Senior Director of Online Services to direct the live ...

Gameplay Programmer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$136K - $151K/yr

Develop online gameplay features in Unreal engine * Learn and adopt the coding standards and ... Work with game designers, artists, and other engineers to create compelling experiences * Break ...

Gameplay Programmer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$136K - $151K/yr

Develop online gameplay features in Unreal engine * Learn and adopt the coding standards and ... Work with game designers, artists, and other engineers to create compelling experiences * Break ...

CNC Programmer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$40 - $55/hr

Rock West Composites, Inc. is an engineering and manufacturing company dedicated to providing ... online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact 858-537 ...

Rock West Composites, Inc. is an engineering and manufacturing company dedicated to providing ... online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact 858-537 ...

CNC Programmer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$40 - $55/hr

Rock West Composites, Inc. is an engineering and manufacturing company dedicated to providing ... online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact 858-537 ...

CNC Programmer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$55 - $76/hr

Rock West Composites, Inc. is an engineering and manufacturing company dedicated to providing ... online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact 858-537 ...

Systems Analyst/Programmer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$130K - $176K/yr

... Programmer. This recruitment will remain open until filled; however, the FIRST REVIEW of ... If you have questions or need assistance regarding the City's online application system, please ...

Comprehensive Online Learning Center - houses thousands of training resources available to learn at your own pace!! * 401(k) Retirement Savings - with a generous company 30% match! (100% vested after ...

AI Developer Intern

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$22.75 - $29.75/hr

Contribute to our open-source projects and help grow our developer community through Discord, online developer forums, and technical content. Assist with local AI tech events and community meetups.

Engineering Software Programmer

CA · On-site

$85K - $125K/yr

ATA is seeking engineers who like to develop software. The successful candidate will be detail oriented with logical thinking skills to be able to design software applications, including those with ...

Showing results 21-40

Online Programmer information

See California salary details

$11

$39

$67

How much do online programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for online programmer in California is $39.02, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.38 and $50.77 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an online programmer?

Online programmers are software developers who specialize in creating and maintaining the networked and multiplayer components of video games or software applications. They are responsible for implementing features that allow users to interact online, such as matchmaking, leaderboards, chat systems, and data synchronization across servers and clients. Online programmers work closely with other developers to ensure smooth, secure, and efficient online experiences for users. Their work often involves knowledge of networking protocols, server management, database integration, and security considerations.

What does an online programmer do?

An online programmer’s responsibilities are to design, develop, and implement online features or software for a mobile application or website. Your duties include meeting with clients to discuss their needs and goals and collaborating with other developers and user experience workers to integrate the front and back-ends of the application for a seamless program. As an online programmer, you also work closely with QA testers and project managers to ensure that the code is free of bugs before its release to the public.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an online programmer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Online Programmer, you need strong programming skills in languages such as C++, C#, or Java, along with a solid understanding of networking concepts and protocols. Familiarity with server-client architectures, cloud platforms, and version control systems like Git is typically required, and certifications in networking or cloud technologies can be advantageous. Excellent problem-solving abilities, effective teamwork, and clear communication are crucial soft skills for this role. These skills ensure the development of robust, scalable online features and smooth collaboration within multidisciplinary teams.

What are the typical challenges an online programmer faces when integrating new multiplayer features into a game?

Online Programmers often encounter challenges such as ensuring seamless synchronization between clients and servers, minimizing network latency, and handling unexpected connection drops. Troubleshooting issues like lag, packet loss, and discrepancies between player actions can be complex, especially during peak server loads or when scaling up for a global audience. Close collaboration with gameplay, backend, and QA teams is essential to test, debug, and optimize new multiplayer features before release.

What is the difference between Online Programmer vs Web Developer?

AspectOnline ProgrammerWeb Developer
Required CredentialsTypically a degree in computer science or related field, coding certificationsSimilar credentials, often with additional focus on web technologies
Work EnvironmentRemote or freelance, project-basedRemote or office, client-facing or in-house teams
Industry UsageUsed across tech, gaming, app developmentPrimarily in web design, online services, e-commerce
Common Search/ComparisonOften compared for programming skills and project scopeCompared for web design and front-end/back-end skills

Online Programmers focus on coding and developing software or applications across various platforms, often working remotely. Web Developers specialize in building and maintaining websites and web applications. While both roles require programming skills and similar credentials, their work environments and industry applications differ, making this comparison useful for those exploring careers or hiring in tech fields.

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

The most popular types of Programmer jobs in California are:

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

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

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Online Programmer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Online Programmer job openings:

Infographic showing various Online Programmer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $81,158 per year, or $39 per hour.

Senior Director, Online Services

2K

San Mateo, CA • On-site

$227K - $337K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

WE ARE GAME MAKERS
Who we are:
We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and inspired by a culture of inclusivity to build amazing games that thrill players everywhere. We pursue growth and innovation in an environment of safety and trust. Our culture is built on the belief that the more varied voices in our collective will strengthen our team and our games. We are looking for our next teammate who will raise our bar and make us better.
What we need:
31st Union is looking for a Senior Director of Online Services to direct the live operation of our AAA free-to-play, cross-platform action game. Reporting to the Head of Technology, you will direct frontend engineering for our online systems and manage our Backend Engineering and Build Engineering teams. You are the principal technology partner to Product Management, delivering the features and pipelines to learn, optimize, and engage at runtime.
Responsibilities:
  • Leadership
    • Set the technical vision and roadmap for online services
    • Manage the Backend Engineering and Build Engineering leads and their teams
  • Live Operations
    • Own release management: cadence, patch and hotfix orchestration, and safe rollout
    • Own launch readiness and live health: capacity, scale and availability testing, observability, and incident response
    • Direct build engineering: CI/CD, submission pipelines, and automation
  • Product Partnership
    • Partner with Product Management and Analytics to turn product strategy into online services capabilities
    • Partner with 2K Core Technology teams to identify and manage shared technology requirements
    • Maintain and extend pipelines for experimentation and segmentation, telemetry and player insight, and remote configuration
    • Deliver engagement tooling: live events, offers, messaging, and store merchandising
  • Frontend & Online Systems
    • Direct development of durable, flexible, and performant pipelines and runtimes for frontend systems - including authentication and presence, matchmaking, social features, and commerce
    • Own player safety and anti-toxicity systems
    • Maximize development freedom for design partners and model best practices

Who you are:
  • 10+ years of engineering experience, including 5+ years of leadership on AAA cross-platform Live Services games
  • 2+ years of leadership in frontend systems for AAA cross-platform Live Services games
  • Experience operating a shipped live service - release management, incident response, scale and availability
  • Unreal Engine fluency - including core object model, referencing patterns, threading patterns, and core frameworks, specifically including Online Subsystem
  • Command of distributed backend architecture and of software patterns for maintainable, debuggable systems
  • Experience delivering experimentation and telemetry pipelines with Product partners

Nice-to-Haves:
  • Experience with Unreal Engine 5
  • Experience launching free-to-play titles, including commerce and monetization
  • Experience with player safety or anti-toxicity systems
  • Experience with publisher shared-technology and first-party partners

The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $227,700 and $337,020 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. Ontario only: The use of Artificial Intelligence is not being used to screen candidates. The position is for an existing vacancy.
#LI-Remote
#LI-Onsite
#LI-Hybrid