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Puzzle Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Product Manager

Irvine, CA ยท On-site

$125 - $900/hr

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.

Senior Product Manager

Irvine, CA ยท On-site

$135K - $179K/yr

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.

Senior Product Manager

Irvine, CA ยท On-site

$135K - $179K/yr

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.

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Senior UI/UX Designer

San Francisco, CA ยท 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 ...

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Game Data Analyst

Santa Clara, CA ยท On-site

$26 - $31/hr

Proficiency across PC gaming genres such as Action, Action-adventure, Adventure, Puzzle, Role-playing, Simulation, Strategy, Sports, MMO Adaptability and attention to detail. Online Game Streaming ...

Lead Producer

Carlsbad, CA ยท On-site

$120 - $160/hr

A top priority for this role is to grow and mentor the production talent within the Puzzle organization, helping producers at all levels develop and grow their careers. #J-18808-Ljbffr

Principal Technical Sourcer

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site +1

$125K - $175K/yr

You enjoy the puzzle of finding people others can't * You care about quality over volume and hate spammy outreach * You're comfortable with ambiguity and like building from scratch * You operate with ...

$25/hr

How to Apply Complete a short application with a quick puzzle-style assessment. If qualified, you'll begin onboarding right away.

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Puzzle information

See California salary details

$26.2K

$96.7K

$152K

How much do puzzle jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for puzzle in California is $96,717.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,900.00 and $115,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a puzzle?

A Puzzle job typically refers to work that involves problem-solving, critical thinking, and assembling pieces of information to find solutions. It can be found in various fields such as game design, data analysis, research, or engineering. These roles often require creativity, logical reasoning, and attention to detail.

What does a puzzle designer do?

Puzzle designers are creative professionals who develop and construct puzzles for various mediums, such as books, games, mobile apps, and escape rooms. They use logic, mathematics, and storytelling to craft engaging and challenging experiences that entertain and sometimes educate players. Puzzle designers must consider difficulty, originality, and fairness to ensure their puzzles are enjoyable and solvable. They often collaborate with game developers, publishers, and other creatives to bring their ideas to life.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a puzzle designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Puzzle Designer, you need strong creative thinking, problem-solving abilities, and a background in game design or a related field. Familiarity with digital design tools (such as Unity, Adobe Creative Suite, or puzzle-specific software) and knowledge of user experience principles are often required. Excellent communication, attention to detail, and the ability to iterate based on feedback set standout designers apart. These skills ensure engaging, balanced, and accessible puzzles that enhance player enjoyment and satisfaction.

What are some common challenges faced by professional puzzle designers, and how can they be addressed?

Professional puzzle designers often encounter challenges such as ensuring their puzzles are both engaging and solvable, avoiding unintended solutions, and catering to a diverse audience with varying skill levels. Collaborating with playtesters and other designers is crucial for identifying ambiguities or difficulties that may not be obvious during the initial design process. Additionally, staying updated on puzzle trends and incorporating feedback helps designers refine their creations and maintain a high standard of quality. Embracing iterative design and seeking community input are effective ways to address these challenges and grow professionally in this creative field.

What is the difference between Puzzle vs Data Analyst?

AspectPuzzleData Analyst
Required CredentialsTypically no formal certification, but problem-solving skills are essentialBachelor's degree in statistics, mathematics, or related field; often certifications like CAP or Microsoft Certified Data Analyst
Work EnvironmentConsulting firms, research labs, or project-based settingsCorporate offices, finance, healthcare, or marketing departments
Industry UsageUsed in consulting, research, and problem-solving contextsCommon in business, finance, healthcare, and technology sectors
Common Search/ComparisonPuzzle vs Data Analyst

While both Puzzle and Data Analyst roles involve analytical thinking, Puzzle focuses on solving complex problems often without formal data training, whereas Data Analysts work with structured data, requiring specific technical skills and certifications. Understanding these differences helps job seekers identify the right career path based on their skills and industry interests.

How much do puzzle makers make?

Puzzle makers typically earn between $25,000 and $60,000 annually, depending on experience, specialization, and whether they work freelance or for a company. Skilled designers with a strong portfolio and knowledge of design software can command higher salaries, especially in the toy and game industries.

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

The most popular types of Puzzle jobs in California are:

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Puzzle jobs?

Cities in California with the most Puzzle job openings:

Infographic showing various Puzzle job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 30% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 69% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,717 per year, or $46.5 per hour.

Senior Product Manager

Namely

Irvine, CA โ€ข On-site

$125 - $900/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Define and drive the product vision, roadmap, and strategy for the studio's puzzle titles and future games.

  • Lead cross-functional teams including engineering, design, art, marketing, and analytics to deliver live-service game experiences.

  • Own the full product lifecycle from ideation through live operation, including prioritizing features and balancing player needs with market trends and business goals.


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 titlesโ€”an unannounced title, and whatever we build nextโ€”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 exampleโ€”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.

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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