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Senior Game Programmer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

31st Union

Senior Gameplay Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site +1

$108K - $161K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

WE ARE GAME MAKERS Who we are: We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art ... What we need: 31st Union is looking for a Senior Gameplay Engineer to develop our Player Bots - AI ...

2K

Senior Gameplay Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site +1

$108K - $161K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

WE ARE GAME MAKERS Who we are: We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art ... What we need: 31st Union is looking for a Senior Gameplay Engineer to develop our Player Bots - AI ...

31st Union

Senior Gameplay Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$108K - $161K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

WE ARE GAME MAKERS Who we are: We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art ... What we need: 31st Union is looking for a Senior Gameplay Engineer to develop our Player Bots - AI ...

HoYoverse

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 ...

HoYoverse

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 ...

Side

Senior Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

$112K - $154K/yr

At Side, we work alongside some of the world's leading game developers to solve complex technical ... This is a highly senior, hands-on engineering role suited to someone who enjoys getting close to ...

New

Side

Senior Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

$112K - $154K/yr

At Side, we work alongside some of the world's leading game developers to solve complex technical ... This is a highly senior, hands-on engineering role suited to someone who enjoys getting close to ...

New

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Senior Game Programmer information

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$13

$51

$70

How much do senior game programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior game programmer in California is $51.59, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43.41 and $61.68 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Senior Game Programmer vs Game Developer?

AspectSenior Game ProgrammerGame Developer
CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science or related field, experience in programming languages like C++/C#Bachelor's in Computer Science, Game Design, or related field, programming skills often required
Work EnvironmentFocus on coding, debugging, optimizing game systems, often in a team of programmersBroader role including design, scripting, and sometimes project management, working across departments
Industry UsageCommonly used in game studios for technical rolesUsed broadly for roles involving game creation, including design and development

The main difference is that a Senior Game Programmer specializes in coding and technical development of game systems, while a Game Developer has a broader role that may include design, scripting, and project coordination. Senior Game Programmers focus on technical implementation, whereas Game Developers often handle multiple aspects of game creation.

How does a senior game programmer typically collaborate with other teams during the development cycle?

Senior Game Programmers play a central role in cross-functional collaboration throughout the game development process. They frequently work alongside designers to translate gameplay ideas into functional mechanics, coordinate with artists to ensure asset integration, and partner with QA testers to identify and resolve bugs. Clear communication and problem-solving skills are essential, as the Senior Game Programmer often bridges technical and creative visions, helping to guide less-experienced programmers and align multiple teams towards a shared project goal.

What is a senior game programmer?

Senior Game Programmers are experienced software developers who design, implement, and optimize code for video games. They typically lead programming teams, mentor junior developers, and collaborate closely with artists, designers, and other departments to bring game concepts to life. Their responsibilities often include solving complex technical challenges, ensuring high performance and stability, and making key decisions about game architecture and technology. Senior Game Programmers usually have several years of industry experience and deep knowledge of programming languages such as C++ or C#. They play a crucial role in shipping polished, high-quality games.

How much do senior game programmers get paid?

Senior game programmers typically earn between $80,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. They often have expertise in programming languages like C++ or C# and experience with game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a senior game programmer?

To thrive as a Senior Game Programmer, you need deep expertise in programming languages like C++ or C#, solid knowledge of game development frameworks, and a degree in computer science or a related field. Experience with game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine, as well as proficiency in debugging, optimization, and version control systems like Git, is typically required. Strong problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills help you collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and mentor junior developers. These skills are crucial to delivering high-quality, performant games while ensuring efficient teamwork and project success.

Is there a demand for senior game programmers?

Senior game programmers are in high demand due to the growth of the gaming industry and the need for experienced developers skilled in programming languages like C++ and C#. Companies seek professionals who can develop complex game mechanics, optimize performance, and work with game engines such as Unity or Unreal. Strong technical skills and a portfolio of completed projects are often required for these roles.

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 are popular job titles related to Senior Game Programmer jobs in California?

For Senior Game Programmer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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

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

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

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

Senior Game Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Game Programmer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,312 per year, or $51.6 per hour.

Sr. Manager, Game Design - Unpublished R&D Product

Riot Games

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$206K - $289K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

As a Game Designer, you will design, tweak, and optimize the player experience. Your analytical skills, player insight, and creativity aid in crafting in- and out-of-game experiences that engage and surprise players. You will collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and work with every tool at hand to innovate and iterate player-focused designs that'll delight millions around the world.
As a Sr. Manager, Game Design on an unpublished R&D product, you will help decipher one of Riot's next big bets. You will help prove an innovative game concept in the early stages of development. You'll partner with other designers, artists, and engineers to innovate and iterate player-focused designs that aim at delivering a groundbreaking experience. As a you'll participate in the hiring process of the multiple design teams, manage the team to ensure consistent quality across all, and mentor designers in their professional development. You will report to the Director of Game Design on the team.
Responsibilities:
  • Build and manage multiple teams of designers spanning multiple design sub-disciplines.
  • Coach, manage, and mentor design teams tackling multiple design challenges
  • Work collaboratively with the design team and team leads to create a great holistic experience
  • Create clear design documentation that can be evaluated and implemented by non-designers
  • Help guide the project from pre-production to launch and ongoing live support

Required Qualifications:
  • 4+ years of experience managing design teams
  • 8+ years of professional experience working in game design or a similar field
  • Has owned major feature work including directing multi-discipline teams
  • Experience working in the early-prototype phase of development on at least one game

Desired Qualifications:
  • Experience with game engines (i.e. Unreal, Unity, etc.)

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise and a collaborative spirit that prioritizes the delight of players. We will look at your past studies and experience, but for this role, we also look for dedicated people with a personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about players' experiences, this is the role for you!
Our Perks:
Riot focuses on work/life balance, shown by our open paid time off policy and other perks such as flexible work schedules. We offer medical, dental, and life insurance, parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and children, and a 401k with company match. Check out our benefits pages for more information.
At Riot Games, we put players first . That mission drives every decision in our quest to create games and experiences that make it better to be a player. Whether you're working directly on a new player-facing experience or you're supporting the company as a whole, everyone at Riot is part of our mission. And just like in our games, we're better when we work together. Our goal is to create collaborative teams where you are empowered to bring your unique perspective everyday. If that sounds like the kind of place you want to work, we're looking forward to your application.
It's our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and members of Riot Games, Inc. Riot Games makes reasonable accommodations for handicapped and disabled Rioters and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, handicap, veteran status, marital status, criminal history, or any other category protected by applicable federal and state law. We consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the Washington Fair Chance Act.
Per the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the following core duties may create a basis for disqualifying candidates with relevant criminal histories:
  • Safeguarding confidential and sensitive Company data
  • Communication with others, including Rioters and third parties such as vendors, and/or players, including minors
  • Accessing Company assets, secure digital systems, and networks
  • Ensuring a safe interactive environment for players and other Rioters

These duties are directly related to essential operations, safety, trust, and compliance obligations within our organization. Please note that job duties may evolve based on business needs and additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to maintain operational efficiency and security.
(Los Angeles Only) Base salary range between $206,700.00 - $289,000.00 USD + incentive compensation + equity + 401K with company match + medical, dental, vision, and life insurance + short and long-term disability + open PTO.
  • (Los Angeles Only) Base salary range between $206,700.00 - $289,000.00 USD + incentive compensation + equity + 401K with company match + medical, dental, vision, and life insurance + short and long-term disability + open PTO.
Riot Games logo

About Riot Games

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Riot Games was founded in 2006 by Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill with the intent to change the way video games are made and supported for players. In 2009, Riot released its debut title League of Legends to worldwide acclaim. The game has since gone on to become the most played PC game in the world and a key driver of the explosive growth of esports. Players are the foundation of our community and it's for them we continue to evolve and improve the League of Legends experience.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2006

Social media

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