Required : • 7+ years of professional game development experience with a focus on gameplay or systems engineering. • Shipped at least one AAA title in a senior or lead systems engineering role ...
Required : • 7+ years of professional game development experience with a focus on gameplay or systems engineering. • Shipped at least one AAA title in a senior or lead systems engineering role ...
Required : • 7+ years of professional game development experience with a focus on gameplay or systems engineering. • Shipped at least one AAA title in a senior or lead systems engineering role ...
Required : • 7+ years of professional game development experience with a focus on gameplay or systems engineering. • Shipped at least one AAA title in a senior or lead systems engineering role ...
Lead Engineer, Game Systems
Santa Monica, CA · On-site +1
$170K - $195K/yr
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life
Retirement
PTO
Shipped at least one AAA title in a senior or lead systems engineering role. * Expertise in C++ and strong knowledge of modern software engineering practices. * Strong understanding of game engine ...
Lead Engineer, Game Systems
Santa Monica, CA · On-site +1
$170K - $195K/yr
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life
Retirement
PTO
Shipped at least one AAA title in a senior or lead systems engineering role. * Expertise in C++ and strong knowledge of modern software engineering practices. * Strong understanding of game engine ...
Lead Engineer, Game Systems
Santa Monica, CA · On-site
$170K - $195K/yr
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life
Retirement
PTO
Shipped at least one AAA title in a senior or lead systems engineering role. * Expertise in C++ and strong knowledge of modern software engineering practices. * Strong understanding of game engine ...
Lead Engineer, Game Systems
Santa Monica, CA · On-site
$170K - $195K/yr
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life
Retirement
PTO
Shipped at least one AAA title in a senior or lead systems engineering role. * Expertise in C++ and strong knowledge of modern software engineering practices. * Strong understanding of game engine ...
Senior Software Engineer, Avatar Animation
$139K - $183K/yr
As Senior Software Engineer on the Avatar Animation team, you will leverage the Roblox game engine and tools to build groundbreaking experiences that push the boundaries of what is possible on the ...
Senior Software Engineer, Avatar Animation
$139K - $183K/yr
As Senior Software Engineer on the Avatar Animation team, you will leverage the Roblox game engine and tools to build groundbreaking experiences that push the boundaries of what is possible on the ...
Senior Gameplay Animator
Novato, CA · On-site
$124K - $142K/yr
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life
Retirement
PTO
... game, using both keyframe and augmented mocap techniques. * Work closely with programmers and designers to support a multitude of features. * Collaborate with Senior Animators on complicated sets of ...
Senior Gameplay Animator
Novato, CA · On-site
$124K - $142K/yr
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life
Retirement
PTO
... game, using both keyframe and augmented mocap techniques. * Work closely with programmers and designers to support a multitude of features. * Collaborate with Senior Animators on complicated sets of ...
Senior Engineer - Game Operations
Los Angeles, CA · On-site
$112K - $154K/yr
Fastpoint Games is looking for a Senior Engineer for its Game Operations team. The ideal candidate can both lead a team or work in a group; likes a fast-paced, startup environment; is highly detail ...
Senior Engineer - Game Operations
Los Angeles, CA · On-site
$112K - $154K/yr
Fastpoint Games is looking for a Senior Engineer for its Game Operations team. The ideal candidate can both lead a team or work in a group; likes a fast-paced, startup environment; is highly detail ...
Senior Gameplay Animator
Novato, CA · On-site
$124K - $142K/yr
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life
Retirement
PTO
... game, using both keyframe and augmented mocap techniques. * Work closely with programmers and designers to support a multitude of features. * Collaborate with Senior Animators on complicated sets of ...
Senior Gameplay Animator
Novato, CA · On-site
$124K - $142K/yr
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life
Retirement
PTO
... game, using both keyframe and augmented mocap techniques. * Work closely with programmers and designers to support a multitude of features. * Collaborate with Senior Animators on complicated sets of ...
Senior Gameplay Animator
$124K - $142K/yr
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life
Retirement
PTO
... game, using both keyframe and augmented mocap techniques. * Work closely with programmers and designers to support a multitude of features. * Collaborate with Senior Animators on complicated sets of ...
Senior Gameplay Animator
$124K - $142K/yr
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life
Retirement
PTO
... game, using both keyframe and augmented mocap techniques. * Work closely with programmers and designers to support a multitude of features. * Collaborate with Senior Animators on complicated sets of ...
Senior Gameplay Animator
$124K - $142K/yr
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life
Retirement
PTO
... game, using both keyframe and augmented mocap techniques. * Work closely with programmers and designers to support a multitude of features. * Collaborate with Senior Animators on complicated sets of ...
Senior Gameplay Animator
$124K - $142K/yr
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life
Retirement
PTO
... game, using both keyframe and augmented mocap techniques. * Work closely with programmers and designers to support a multitude of features. * Collaborate with Senior Animators on complicated sets of ...
Senior Gameplay AI Engineer
$138K - $170K/yr
THE OPPORTUNITY Striking Distance Studios is looking for a Senior AI Engineer to work in a cooperative, cross-disciplinary team environment to implement gameplay features and systems within our games.
Senior Gameplay AI Engineer
$138K - $170K/yr
THE OPPORTUNITY Striking Distance Studios is looking for a Senior AI Engineer to work in a cooperative, cross-disciplinary team environment to implement gameplay features and systems within our games.
Senior Gameplay AI Engineer
San Ramon, CA · On-site
$138K - $170K/yr
THE OPPORTUNITY Striking Distance Studios is looking for a Senior AI Engineer to work in a cooperative, cross-disciplinary team environment to implement gameplay features and systems within our games.
Senior Gameplay AI Engineer
San Ramon, CA · On-site
$138K - $170K/yr
THE OPPORTUNITY Striking Distance Studios is looking for a Senior AI Engineer to work in a cooperative, cross-disciplinary team environment to implement gameplay features and systems within our games.
Senior Machine Learning Engineer
Santa Monica, CA · On-site +1
$165K - $200K/yr
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life
Retirement
PTO
As Senior Machine Learning Engineer, you will work alongside gameplay engineers, producers, designers, and artists to integrate intelligent, adaptive systems for our toolchain and in the realtime ...
Senior Machine Learning Engineer
Santa Monica, CA · On-site +1
$165K - $200K/yr
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life
Retirement
PTO
As Senior Machine Learning Engineer, you will work alongside gameplay engineers, producers, designers, and artists to integrate intelligent, adaptive systems for our toolchain and in the realtime ...
Software Engineering Manager, Engine UI
San Mateo, CA · On-site
$293K - $343K/yr
Manage Senior Engineers and provide technical guidance ... Work closely with our game developer community to help achieve their creative vision * Have fun ...
Software Engineering Manager, Engine UI
San Mateo, CA · On-site
$293K - $343K/yr
Manage Senior Engineers and provide technical guidance ... Work closely with our game developer community to help achieve their creative vision * Have fun ...
Senior Software Engineer - Studio Tools
$139K - $183K/yr
As a Senior Software Engineer in the Builder Tools team, you'll work on interactive, developer ... Experience in making developer-, engineer- or artist-facing tools, such as game development tooling ...
Senior Software Engineer - Studio Tools
$139K - $183K/yr
As a Senior Software Engineer in the Builder Tools team, you'll work on interactive, developer ... Experience in making developer-, engineer- or artist-facing tools, such as game development tooling ...
Senior Gameplay Programmer AI [USA]
Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1
Medical
Life
Retirement
PTO
In addition to game products such as Genshin Impact, Honkai Impact 3rd, Tears of Themis, and Honkai ... We are searching for a candidate who is passionate about enhancing developer productivity through ...
Senior Gameplay Programmer AI [USA]
Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1
Medical
Life
Retirement
PTO
In addition to game products such as Genshin Impact, Honkai Impact 3rd, Tears of Themis, and Honkai ... We are searching for a candidate who is passionate about enhancing developer productivity through ...
Senior Gameplay Programmer AI [USA]
Los Angeles, CA · Remote
Medical
Life
Retirement
PTO
In addition to game products such as Genshin Impact, Honkai Impact 3rd, Tears of Themis, and Honkai ... We are searching for a candidate who is passionate about enhancing developer productivity through ...
Senior Gameplay Programmer AI [USA]
Los Angeles, CA · Remote
Medical
Life
Retirement
PTO
In addition to game products such as Genshin Impact, Honkai Impact 3rd, Tears of Themis, and Honkai ... We are searching for a candidate who is passionate about enhancing developer productivity through ...
Principal Software Engineer - Developer Connections, Game Release
Los Angeles, CA · On-site
$145K - $195K/yr
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life
Retirement
PTO
As a Principal Software Engineer ,you'll serve as a senior technical leader for Riot's game release ecosystem. In this highly collaborative, game-facing role, you will partner closely with Release ...
Principal Software Engineer - Developer Connections, Game Release
Los Angeles, CA · On-site
$145K - $195K/yr
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life
Retirement
PTO
As a Principal Software Engineer ,you'll serve as a senior technical leader for Riot's game release ecosystem. In this highly collaborative, game-facing role, you will partner closely with Release ...
Principal Software Engineer - Developer Connections, Game Release
Los Angeles, CA · On-site
$145K - $195K/yr
Medical
Dental
Life
Retirement
PTO
As a Principal Software Engineer ,you'll serve as a senior technical leader for Riot's game release ecosystem. In this highly collaborative, game-facing role, you will partner closely with Release ...
Principal Software Engineer - Developer Connections, Game Release
Los Angeles, CA · On-site
$145K - $195K/yr
Medical
Dental
Life
Retirement
PTO
As a Principal Software Engineer ,you'll serve as a senior technical leader for Riot's game release ecosystem. In this highly collaborative, game-facing role, you will partner closely with Release ...
Principal Software Engineer - Developer Connections, Game Release
$145K - $195K/yr
Medical
Dental
Life
Retirement
PTO
As a Principal Software Engineer , you'll serve as a senior technical leader for Riot's game release ecosystem. In this highly collaborative, game-facing role, you will partner closely with Release ...
Principal Software Engineer - Developer Connections, Game Release
$145K - $195K/yr
Medical
Dental
Life
Retirement
PTO
As a Principal Software Engineer , you'll serve as a senior technical leader for Riot's game release ecosystem. In this highly collaborative, game-facing role, you will partner closely with Release ...
Senior Game Developer information
See California salary details
$76.5K - $90K
3% of jobs
$90K - $103.6K
2% of jobs
$103.6K - $117.1K
6% of jobs
$128.2K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$117.1K - $130.7K
16% of jobs
$130.7K - $144.2K
20% of jobs
The median wage is $145.8K / yr.
$144.2K - $157.8K
14% of jobs
$169.1K is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$157.8K - $171.3K
15% of jobs
$171.3K - $184.9K
10% of jobs
$184.9K - $198.4K
6% of jobs
$198.4K - $212K
3% of jobs
$212K - $225.5K
3% of jobs
$76.5K
$152K
$225.5K
How much do senior game developer jobs pay per year?
As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior game developer in California is $152,045.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $129,800.00 and $173,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What are the typical responsibilities of a senior game developer?
As a Senior Game Developer, you are often responsible for designing core gameplay systems, writing and reviewing code, and ensuring technical quality across multiple components of the game. You will mentor junior developers, help establish development best practices, and work closely with artists, designers, and project managers to bring gameplay concepts to life. The role frequently involves troubleshooting complex issues, optimizing performance, and participating in strategic planning for current and future projects. Your work will have a significant impact on both the technical direction and overall success of the game, making collaboration and leadership important aspects of the job.
What is a senior game developer?
A Senior Game Developer is responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing game mechanics, systems, and features. They lead technical and creative aspects of game development, guide junior developers, and collaborate with designers, artists, and producers to ensure high-quality gameplay experiences. Their role often includes coding, debugging, performance optimization, and mentorship. Additionally, they contribute to architectural decisions, maintain best coding practices, and stay updated with industry trends.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior game developer?
To thrive as a Senior Game Developer, you need extensive experience in programming languages (such as C++, C#, or Java), a deep understanding of game engines (like Unity or Unreal Engine), and a strong portfolio demonstrating completed projects. Familiarity with version control systems (e.g., Git), collaborative development tools (such as JIRA or Perforce), and relevant certifications add to your technical proficiency. Leadership, problem-solving, and effective communication skills help you guide teams and collaborate across disciplines. These skills and qualities are vital for delivering polished games, driving innovation, and ensuring cohesive teamwork in a fast-paced industry.
What are the most commonly searched types of Game Developer jobs in California?
The most popular types of Game Developer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Senior Game Developer jobs in California?
For Senior Game Developer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Game Developer jobs in California look for?
The top searched job categories for Senior Game Developer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Senior Game Developer jobs?
Cities in California with the most Senior Game Developer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Senior Game Developer jobs in CA?
For Senior Game Developer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Full-time
Re-posted 26 days ago
Job description
Job Summary:
Absurd Ventures is seeking a highly experienced and collaborative Lead Engineer, Game Systems to help drive the design, architecture, and implementation of core gameplay, progression, and economy systems. The role involves leading a team of gameplay engineers and collaborating with various stakeholders to create engaging and immersive player experiences.
Responsibilities:
• Lead the architecture, development, and maintenance of core gameplay systems, including but not limited to player control, NPC behavior, traversal, mission logic, progression, economy and inventory.
• Collaborate with designers and other stakeholders to translate design goals and specs into robust, extensible technical solutions. Design and develop a suite of tools to meet design workflow needs.
• Mentor and guide a team of systems engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and knowledge sharing.
• Own systems performance and memory footprint, working to ensure functionality and compatibility across multiple platforms, as well as long term extensibility.
• Define and enforce best practices for coding standards, documentation, and architecture within the game systems team.
• Oversee tools and workflow for game systems. Coordinate with design leads on tool and workflow design.
• Participate in technical planning, task estimation, and milestone reviews.
• Debug and resolve complex game systems issues and contribute to ongoing game stability and polish.
Qualifications:
Required:
• 7+ years of professional game development experience with a focus on gameplay or systems engineering.
• Shipped at least one AAA title in a senior or lead systems engineering role.
• Expertise in C++ and strong knowledge of modern software engineering practices.
• Strong understanding of game engine architecture and modern gameplay systems development.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience leading technical teams and managing cross-disciplinary collaboration.
• Passion for crafting exceptional player experiences through gameplay systems.
Preferred:
• Experience with Unreal Engine 4 or 5.
• Familiarity with multiplayer game systems, replication, and network optimization.
• Knowledge of scripting languages (e.g., Blueprint, Lua, Angelscript, etc.) and their integration with game systems.
• Prior experience with open-world games or systemic gameplay projects.
Company:
Absurd Ventures is an entertainment firm that creates new intellectual property across various channels. Founded in 2021, the company is headquartered in Santa Monica, USA, with a team of 51-200 employees. The company is currently Growth Stage.
Absurd Ventures is seeking a highly experienced and collaborative Lead Engineer, Game Systems to help drive the design, architecture, and implementation of core gameplay, progression, and economy systems. The role involves leading a team of gameplay engineers and collaborating with various stakeholders to create engaging and immersive player experiences.
Responsibilities:
• Lead the architecture, development, and maintenance of core gameplay systems, including but not limited to player control, NPC behavior, traversal, mission logic, progression, economy and inventory.
• Collaborate with designers and other stakeholders to translate design goals and specs into robust, extensible technical solutions. Design and develop a suite of tools to meet design workflow needs.
• Mentor and guide a team of systems engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and knowledge sharing.
• Own systems performance and memory footprint, working to ensure functionality and compatibility across multiple platforms, as well as long term extensibility.
• Define and enforce best practices for coding standards, documentation, and architecture within the game systems team.
• Oversee tools and workflow for game systems. Coordinate with design leads on tool and workflow design.
• Participate in technical planning, task estimation, and milestone reviews.
• Debug and resolve complex game systems issues and contribute to ongoing game stability and polish.
Qualifications:
Required:
• 7+ years of professional game development experience with a focus on gameplay or systems engineering.
• Shipped at least one AAA title in a senior or lead systems engineering role.
• Expertise in C++ and strong knowledge of modern software engineering practices.
• Strong understanding of game engine architecture and modern gameplay systems development.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience leading technical teams and managing cross-disciplinary collaboration.
• Passion for crafting exceptional player experiences through gameplay systems.
Preferred:
• Experience with Unreal Engine 4 or 5.
• Familiarity with multiplayer game systems, replication, and network optimization.
• Knowledge of scripting languages (e.g., Blueprint, Lua, Angelscript, etc.) and their integration with game systems.
• Prior experience with open-world games or systemic gameplay projects.
Company:
Absurd Ventures is an entertainment firm that creates new intellectual property across various channels. Founded in 2021, the company is headquartered in Santa Monica, USA, with a team of 51-200 employees. The company is currently Growth Stage.