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Puzzle Game Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

MobilityWare

Senior Product Manager

Irvine, CA · On-site

$135K - $179K/yr

... Puzzle game and future games), ensuring alignment with broader company objectives. * Cross-functional leadership: Lead across engineering, design, art, marketing, and analytics to deliver high ...

MobilityWare

Senior Product Manager

Irvine, CA · On-site

$135K - $179K/yr

... Puzzle game and future games), ensuring alignment with broader company objectives. * Cross-functional leadership: Lead across engineering, design, art, marketing, and analytics to deliver high ...

MobilityWare

Senior Product Manager

Irvine, CA

$135K - $179K/yr

... Puzzle game and future games), ensuring alignment with broader company objectives. * Cross-functional leadership: Lead across engineering, design, art, marketing, and analytics to deliver high ...

Jam City Inc

Senior UI/UX Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$90 - $150/hr

Provide cohesive UI design spanning the full player experience - from narrative gameplay and puzzle interactions to systems, progression, and monetization interfaces * Collaborate closely with Game ...

Jam City

Senior UI/UX Designer

San Francisco, CA

Provide cohesive UI design spanning the full player experience - from narrative gameplay and puzzle interactions to systems, progression, and monetization interfaces * Collaborate closely with Game ...

Jam City

Senior UI/UX Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Provide cohesive UI design spanning the full player experience - from narrative gameplay and puzzle interactions to systems, progression, and monetization interfaces * Collaborate closely with Game ...

Jam City

Senior UI/UX Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Provide cohesive UI design spanning the full player experience - from narrative gameplay and puzzle interactions to systems, progression, and monetization interfaces * Collaborate closely with Game ...

MobilityWare

Product Manager

Irvine, CA · On-site

MobilityWare is a leading mobile game publisher known for its popular card and puzzle games. As a ... Responsibilities : • Support Product Owners in sprint reviews, planning, and design backlog, and ...

MobilityWare

Product Manager

Irvine, CA · On-site

MobilityWare is one of the leading mobile game publishers of card and puzzle games, dedicated to ... Responsibilities : • Support Product Owners in sprint reviews, planning, and design backlog, and ...

MobilityWare

Product Manager

Irvine, CA

Support Product Owners in sprint reviews, planning, and design backlog, and agile workflows ... MobilityWare is one of the leading mobile game publishers of card and puzzle games. With our ...

Mobilityware

Product Manager

Irvine, CA · On-site

Support Product Owners in sprint reviews, planning, and design backlog, and agile workflows ... MobilityWare is one of the leading mobile game publishers of card and puzzle games. With our ...

MobilityWare

Product Manager

Irvine, CA · On-site

Support Product Owners in sprint reviews, planning, and design backlog, and agile workflows ... MobilityWare is one of the leading mobile game publishers of card and puzzle games. With our ...

Jam City

Lead Product Manager

Carlsbad, CA

$140K - $180K/yr

The ideal candidate is passionate about casual and puzzle games games, can pull, analyze, and ... Identify tools and reporting, working with technical teams, to design, implement and improve ...

Jam City

Lead Product Manager

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

The ideal candidate is passionate about casual and puzzle games games, can pull, analyze, and ... Identify tools and reporting, working with technical teams, to design, implement and improve ...

Jam City

Lead Product Manager

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

The ideal candidate is passionate about casual and puzzle games games, can pull, analyze, and ... Identify tools and reporting, working with technical teams, to design, implement and improve ...

Jam City Inc

Lead Product Manager

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$140 - $180/hr

The ideal candidate is passionate about casual and puzzle games games, can pull, analyze, and ... Identify tools and reporting, working with technical teams, to design, implement and improve ...

Sciforium

LLM Dataset Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$155K - $210K/yr

This position is ideal for a scientist who views data as a high-scale engineering challenge and an analytical puzzle. You will not just "provide" data; you will design the taxonomies, filtering ...

landa

Lead, State Arbitration

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$100 - $140/hr

Every state is its own puzzle. The statute says one thing, the agency guidance says another, the ... We have institutional backing, a shared platform team spanning engineering, strategy, design, and ...

All JobsPuzzle Game Design JobsPuzzle Game Design Jobs in California

Puzzle Game Design information

See California salary details

$78.5K

$129K

$193.4K

How much do puzzle game design jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for puzzle game design in California is $129,049.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $105,600.00 and $148,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is puzzle game design?

Puzzle game design is the process of creating games that challenge players to solve problems or complete tasks using logic, pattern recognition, strategy, or word completion. Designers in this field focus on developing engaging mechanics, interesting challenges, and rewarding progression to keep players entertained and mentally stimulated. Puzzle game designers often balance difficulty, accessibility, and creativity to ensure their games are both fun and approachable for a wide audience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a puzzle game designer?

To excel as a Puzzle Game Designer, you need a strong grasp of game design principles, logic, creativity, and often a degree in game design, computer science, or a related field. Familiarity with game engines like Unity or Unreal, as well as proficiency in prototyping tools and scripting languages, is typically required. Outstanding problem-solving, collaboration, and playtesting communication skills help designers create engaging player experiences. These competencies are crucial for developing innovative, challenging puzzles that captivate players and contribute to a game's success.

What are some common challenges faced by puzzle game designers during the development process?

Puzzle game designers often face the challenge of balancing difficulty to keep players engaged without causing frustration. Creating original and intuitive mechanics that provide satisfying 'aha!' moments is another common hurdle. Additionally, designers must ensure that puzzles integrate seamlessly with the game's narrative and visual style, and frequently collaborate with artists, programmers, and playtesters to refine each level. Effective communication and iteration are key to addressing feedback and enhancing the overall player experience.

What is the difference between Puzzle Game Design vs Level Designer?

AspectPuzzle Game DesignLevel Designer
Required SkillsGame mechanics, puzzle logic, creativityLevel layout, environment design, user experience
Work EnvironmentGame studios, remote, collaborative teamsGame studios, freelance, collaborative teams
Industry UsageMobile, casual, puzzle genresVarious genres including action, adventure, puzzle
Common Search IntentDesigning puzzles, game mechanics, creative rolesCreating levels, environment design, game flow

While both roles involve game development, Puzzle Game Design focuses on creating engaging puzzles and mechanics, whereas Level Designer emphasizes designing the overall environment and levels. Puzzle Game Designers develop the core gameplay elements, while Level Designers craft the spaces players explore. Both roles often collaborate but serve distinct functions within game development teams.

How to become a puzzle game designer?

To become a puzzle game designer, develop strong skills in game design, programming, and logic, often through a degree in game design, computer science, or related fields. Building a portfolio of puzzle prototypes and gaining experience with game development tools like Unity or Unreal Engine can improve job prospects. Understanding player psychology and testing puzzle mechanics are also important for success in this role.

Which puzzle game design jobs pay the most?

Senior puzzle game designers and lead roles in game development typically have the highest salaries in puzzle game design, often exceeding $100,000 annually. These positions require extensive experience, strong skills in game mechanics and user experience, and often involve leadership responsibilities within development teams.

What are popular job titles related to Puzzle Game Design jobs in California?

For Puzzle Game Design jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Puzzle Game Design jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Puzzle Game Design jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Puzzle Game Design jobs?

Cities in California with the most Puzzle Game Design job openings:

Puzzle Game Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Puzzle Game Design job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $129,049 per year, or $62 per hour.

Senior Product Manager

Irvine, CA • On-site

MobilityWare
PC Games • 201 - 500 employees
Learn more about MobilityWareexternal

$135K - $179K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

A rare opportunity: lead a product team at a profitable and self-funded studio.
You'll own the vision and roadmap for our Hybrid puzzle titles-an unannounced title, and whatever we build next-working shoulder-to-shoulder with design, engineering, art, marketing, and analytics. The role is big. The bar is high.
You've spent years embedded with dev teams, shipping and operating live free-to-play games. You know how games actually get made, and you're not afraid of the weeds.
You're also a gamer. You play for fun, you know what makes a game great, and you understand not just how IAP games monetize but why players spend. Business sense and love of craft, in the same person.
You lead by example-passion, hard work, attention to detail, and empathy. You lift morale on the hard days and raise the bar on the good ones.
We're a small, ambitious, data-informed team, and we're looking for the person who leads us to success.
Expectations are high. So is the ceiling. Come bring joy to millions of players, one game at a time.
Responsibilities:
  • Product vision & strategy: Define and drive the product vision, roadmap, and strategy for the Blue Team's titles (Unannounced Puzzle game and future games), ensuring alignment with broader company objectives.
  • Cross-functional leadership: Lead across engineering, design, art, marketing, and analytics to deliver high-quality, impactful live-service experiences.
  • Product development oversight: Own the full product lifecycle from ideation through live operation, prioritizing features and balancing player needs with market trends and business goals.
  • Team leadership & mentorship: Guide and mentor other product managers and team members, fostering a high-performing, collaborative team culture.
  • Stakeholder management: Communicate product goals, progress, and performance to executives, senior leadership, and cross-functional partners.

Qualifications for Position:
  • 4+ years of Product Management experience in Mobile F2P games with experience in leading features that drive engagement and monetization.
  • Proven track record shipping and operating live free-to-play (IAP) games; experience in puzzle or casual titles is a strong plus. Firm understanding of current marketplace offerings and competitors.
  • Strong orientation towards data insights, AB testing, and deriving actionable insights that can be meaningful for the business.
  • Must communicate effectively with all disciplines and all levels of the organization and be a team player.
  • (Plus) Experience with building and operating tiles with hybrid monetization (IAP + ads: rewarded video, interstitials, ad mediation and eCPM optimization).

A Little Bit About Us:
MobilityWare is one of the leading mobile game publishers of card and puzzle games. With our headquarters in the heart of Orange County and a growing studio in Utah, we're dedicated to our mission of bringing joy to others one game at a time. Ever since our flagship title Solitaire hit the Apple App Store on the day it opened in 2008, MobilityWare has been entertaining gamers around the world. With a product portfolio that includes beloved hits such as FreeCell, MONOPOLY Solitaire, Spades, Hearts, Mahjong, and Bubble Shooter Pop, our games have been downloaded over 600 MILLION times.
MobilityWare was recently named one of Built in LA's Best Places to Work for the fifth year in a row and we've been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Orange County five times by the Orange County Business Journal and OC Register. While we're proud to be the company behind some of mobile gaming's most popular titles, our most important achievement is creating a work environment that encourages professional growth and prioritizes the wellness of all of our team members.
Do we have your attention yet? Here are just some of the perks of working with us:
  • We offer medical (100% paid option), dental (100% paid), vision (100% paid), unlimited PTO/Vacation, life insurance (100% paid), and a 401K with competitive contribution.
  • Annual, all-inclusive company trip for you and a guest. Previous destinations includeHawaii, a Mexican Riviera Cruise, Las Vegas and Los Cabos!
  • In the office we offer things like free lunch, free snacks, and free drinks.
  • Casual workplace that includes a relaxed dress code, plus a newly remodeled office in the heart of Irvine.
  • Growth, growth, growth - we are growing, and we would love for you to join us on the ride.
  • Annual Game Jam to show off your creative chops!

In compliance with local law, we are disclosing compensation for this role. The range listed is just one component of MobilityWare' s total compensation package for employees, which may include short- and long-term incentives and program-specific awards. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of job-related factors, which may include education, training, experience, certifications, location, business needs, or market demands. This range is based on a full-time position. This range may be modified in the future. The annual base salary pay range for this role is $125,000-$900,000

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