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Senior Game Developer Jobs in Novato, CA (NOW HIRING)

Proxima

Senior Game Designer

San Francisco, CA · Remote

We're looking for a Senior Game Designer to play a leadership role on the project. We are a remote ... You can partner with engineers to build custom tools that accelerate your workflow. * 5+ years game ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Rendering Engineer

Novato, CA

$108K - $161K/yr

As a Senior Rendering Engineer at Cloud Chamber you will join our talented development team to help ... You'll collaborate with a passionate group of game developers including our Lead Rendering Engineer ...

2K

Senior Rendering Engineer

Novato, CA · On-site

$108K - $161K/yr

As a Senior Rendering Engineer at Cloud Chamber you will join our talented development team to help ... You'll collaborate with a passionate group of game developers including our Lead Rendering Engineer ...

2K

Senior Rendering Engineer

Novato, CA

$108K - $161K/yr

As a Senior Rendering Engineer at Cloud Chamber you will join our talented development team to help ... You'll collaborate with a passionate group of game developers including our Lead Rendering Engineer ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Rendering Engineer

Novato, CA · On-site

$108K - $161K/yr

As a Senior Rendering Engineer at Cloud Chamber you will join our talented development team to help ... You'll collaborate with a passionate group of game developers including our Lead Rendering Engineer ...

Discord

Senior Software Engineer, Ads

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$196K - $220K/yr

Discord plays a uniquely important role in the future of gaming, and we are focused on making it ... and impact-focused Senior Software Engineer to join our growing Ads team. Our team is ...

2K

Senior Systems Engineer

Novato, CA

$108K - $161K/yr

Visual Concepts, Firaxis Games, Hangar 13, Cat Daddy Games, 31st Union, Cloud Chamber, Gearbox, HB Studios, and 2K SportsLab create world-class experiences across platforms. But what truly powers 2K ...

2K

Senior Systems Engineer

Novato, CA

$108K - $161K/yr

Visual Concepts, Firaxis Games, Hangar 13, Cat Daddy Games, 31st Union, Cloud Chamber, Gearbox, HB Studios, and 2K SportsLab create world-class experiences across platforms. But what truly powers 2K ...

2K

Senior Systems Engineer

Novato, CA · On-site

$108K - $161K/yr

Visual Concepts, Firaxis Games, Hangar 13, Cat Daddy Games, 31st Union, Cloud Chamber, Gearbox, HB Studios, and 2K SportsLab create world-class experiences across platforms. But what truly powers 2K ...

Discord

Senior Software Engineer, Growth

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$196K - $220K/yr

Discord plays a uniquely important role in the future of gaming, and we are focused on making it ... We're looking for a Senior Software Engineer to join the Growth team at Discord. Our team owns how ...

NxT Level

Senior Multiplayer Engineer(C++)

San Francisco, CA

$122K - $167K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Software Engineer to join our clients online Mobile MMO that has also ... They're an award-winning gaming studio. What are the core responsibilities? * Create and maintain ...

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Senior Game Developer information

See Novato, CA salary details

$91K

$180.9K

$268.3K

How much do senior game developer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior game developer in Novato, CA is $180,879.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $154,400.00 and $206,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 Novato, CA?

The most popular types of Game Developer jobs in Novato, CA are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Game Developer jobs in Novato, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Game Developer jobs in Novato, CA are:

What cities near Novato, CA are hiring for Senior Game Developer jobs?

Cities near Novato, CA with the most Senior Game Developer job openings:

Senior Game Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Game Developer job openings in Novato, CA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $180,879 per year, or $87 per hour.

Senior Game Designer

Proxima

San Francisco, CA • Remote

Full-time

Re-posted 5 hours ago

Job description

About Proxima

Proxima is an independent game studio founded by veterans of Electronic Arts (EA). We pride ourselves on executing with very small teams, high autonomy, and agility. Our inaugural title, Suck Up!, became a viral sensation, championed by content creators and amassing over 300 million views to date.

We are currently developing our second project, which will be a PC title set in the simulation genre. We’re looking for a Senior Game Designer to play a leadership role on the project. We are a remote-first studio headquartered in San Francisco, California.  
 

Core Responsibilities:

  • Creative direction: You will play a key role in setting the creative direction for the game, including game pillars, key design elements, progression, and more.
  • Systems design: You will develop systems that simulate play, blending expertise in player psychology with strong mathematical logic to build interlocking mechanics that stimulate emergent gameplay.
  • End-to-end implementation: You will work independently and with team members to implement design solutions: from paper prototyping and technical implementation to balancing and testing.

Who you are:

  • Game systems architect: You design through dynamic rules, not linear scripts. You deeply understand how variables collide and cascade across the game to create emergent gameplay.
  • Intuitive understanding of psychology: You have a deep understanding of player psychology and what motivates people to play.
  • Systems design expert: You can build the math behind the game. You are an expert at creating complex, automated spreadsheets to simulate, balance, and prove out progression curves and resource economies.
  • Hands-on builder: You are comfortable building directly in-engine (Unity). You have a strong working knowledge of game engine systems. You can partner with engineers to build custom tools that accelerate your workflow.
  • 5+ years game design experience: You have over five years of design experience, including taking a game from early prototype to launch.

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