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Remote Game Programmer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Director, Online Services

San Mateo, CA ยท On-site +1

$227K - $337K/yr

WE ARE GAME MAKERS Who we are: We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art ... The position is for an existing vacancy. #LI-Remote #LI-Onsite #LI-Hybrid

Ads/UGC Editor

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site +1

$70K - $90K/yr

... of our games in house). * Small, high-impact engineering team that is scaling up. The core ... remote. Please send over your editing portfolio to blaise@triumpharcade.com after applying.

Senior Sound Designer

Glendale, CA ยท Remote

$95K - $128K/yr

If you are an imaginative audio creator with superb game development skills and a love of Disney ... engineers, and fellow audio creatives to build memorable worlds and emotionally engaging player ...

Software Engineer 2

San Jose, CA ยท Remote

$114K - $156K/yr

Software Engineer 2 Full-time Remote You'll be joining Adobe on a contract opportunity, employed ... Production/test experience in the Gaming/Animation industry * Experience with animation authoring ...

A statue of limitations on game of thrones discussions for 24 hours and a group of others who don't ... Remote work not available TRAVEL Travel not required VISA Candidate visas are not supported ...

Machine Learning Engineer

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site +1

$117K - $152K/yr

Mountain View, SF/Bay: $117,000 - $152,000 gross USD Bellevue, Seattle, NYC, Remote CA: $104,100 ... The top mobile games in the world, the most played PC indie titles, the most innovative console ...

Machine Learning Engineer

Mountain View, CA ยท On-site +1

$117K - $152K/yr

Mountain View, SF/Bay: $117,000 - $152,000 gross USD Bellevue, Seattle, NYC, Remote CA: $104,100 ... The top mobile games in the world, the most played PC indie titles, the most innovative console ...

Showing results 41-60

Remote Game Programmer information

See California salary details

$10.9K

$91.4K

$171.2K

How much do remote game programmer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for remote game programmer in California is $91,423.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23,700.00 and $143,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a remote game programmer?

A Remote Game Programmer is a software developer who specializes in creating video games while working from a location outside of a traditional office, often from home. They write code to implement game features, fix bugs, and ensure the game's performance and functionality across different platforms. Remote Game Programmers collaborate with artists, designers, and other developers using online tools to contribute to the development process. This role requires strong programming skills, proficiency in languages such as C++ or C#, and familiarity with game engines like Unity or Unreal. Communication and self-motivation are essential for success in a remote setting.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a remote game programmer?

To thrive as a Remote Game Programmer, you need strong proficiency in programming languages such as C++, C#, or Java, along with a degree in computer science or related field. Familiarity with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, version control systems (e.g., Git), and possibly certifications in software development are valuable assets. Excellent problem-solving abilities, self-motivation, and clear communication skills help you collaborate effectively across distributed teams. These skills ensure you can deliver high-quality, efficient code and work productively in a remote, collaborative game development environment.

How does working remotely as a game programmer affect collaboration with other team members?

As a remote game programmer, you'll primarily collaborate with designers, artists, and other programmers through online tools like Slack, Zoom, and project management platforms. Clear communication and strong self-management skills are essential since you won't be meeting colleagues face-to-face regularly. You'll often participate in daily stand-ups, code reviews, and sprint planning sessions virtually. While remote work offers flexibility, staying aligned with the team and project timelines requires proactive communication and regular check-ins.

What is the difference between Remote Game Programmer vs Remote Game Designer?

AspectRemote Game ProgrammerRemote Game Designer
Primary RoleWriting code to develop game features and mechanicsCreating game concepts, storylines, and gameplay experiences
Required SkillsProgramming languages (C++, C#), software developmentCreativity, storytelling, game design tools
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with programmers, artists, and testersWorks closely with programmers and artists to shape game vision
Industry UsageCommonly employed in game development studios and remote teamsUsed in game studios, often collaborating remotely with development teams

While both roles are essential in game development, Remote Game Programmers focus on coding and technical implementation, whereas Remote Game Designers concentrate on conceptualizing and designing gameplay. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

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

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

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Remote Game Programmer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Remote Game Programmer job openings:

Infographic showing various Remote Game Programmer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,423 per year, or $44 per hour.

Senior Director, Online Services

2K

San Mateo, CA โ€ข On-site, Remote

$227K - $337K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 25 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.ย  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.

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