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Senior Unity Game Programmer Jobs in Riverside, CA

Senior Technical Artist

Irvine, CA · On-site

$134K - $161K/yr

... over 30 games. They are seeking a Senior Technical Artist who will bridge the gap between art and engineering, creating tools and visual assets to enhance player experiences in Unity.

Lead Gameplay Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

$147K - $343K/yr

Experience performing in a senior or principal software engineering role or equivalent * Ability to collaborate with other engineers, designers, artists and other game developers * Ability to work ...

Lead Gameplay Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

$147K - $343K/yr

Experience performing in a senior or principal software engineering role or equivalent * Ability to collaborate with other engineers, designers, artists and other game developers * Ability to work ...

Senior Technical Artist

Irvine, CA · On-site

$134K - $161K/yr

... their game development team. The role involves bridging the gap between art and engineering ... inside Unity, including all aspects: particle systems, shaders, VFX, prefab/UI creation, and ...

Experience performing in a senior or principal software engineering role or equivalent * Ability to ... Unreal and Unity * Understanding of game asset pipelines Why Join Us? Location State(s) US ...

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Senior Unity Game Programmer information

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How much do senior unity game programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior unity game programmer in Riverside, CA is $54.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45.91 and $65.19 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Senior Unity Game Programmer do?

A Senior Unity Game Programmer is responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing interactive games and applications using the Unity engine. They collaborate with artists, designers, and other developers to implement gameplay features, solve complex programming challenges, and ensure high performance across platforms. Seniors typically mentor junior programmers, review code, and contribute to architectural decisions to deliver a polished final product.

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

AspectSenior Unity Game ProgrammerUnity Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science or related, extensive experience in UnitySimilar educational background, often entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentGame studios, AAA or indie projects, complex game developmentIndie projects, mobile apps, or smaller game projects
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in professional game development companiesUsed across various industries including gaming, AR/VR, and mobile apps
Comparison Search IntentHigh overlap in skills and responsibilitiesOften compared for career progression or skill level

The main difference is that a Senior Unity Game Programmer typically has more experience, handles complex coding tasks, and may lead projects, whereas a Unity Developer is often at an earlier stage, focusing on implementation and smaller features. Both roles require strong Unity skills, but the senior position involves greater responsibility and expertise.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Unity Game Programmer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Unity Game Programmer, you need advanced proficiency in C#, deep knowledge of Unity’s engine, and a solid background in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, experience with performance profiling tools, and an understanding of shader programming are typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication distinguish top performers in this role. These skills are crucial for developing high-quality, efficient games and for collaborating productively within multidisciplinary teams.

How does a Senior Unity Game Programmer typically collaborate with artists and designers during a game development project?

A Senior Unity Game Programmer works closely with artists and designers to ensure the technical feasibility and smooth implementation of game features. This often involves translating creative concepts into functional gameplay mechanics, integrating art assets, and providing technical guidance on performance optimization. Regular communication and iterative feedback are key, as programmers may need to adjust code to accommodate changes in design or visuals. Being proactive in cross-disciplinary meetings helps align technical solutions with the overall vision and ensures a cohesive final product.
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Senior Unity Game Programmer jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Senior Unity Game Programmer job openings:
Principal Graphics Engineer, Unity | Unannounced Project - Irvine, CA

Principal Graphics Engineer, Unity | Unannounced Project - Irvine, CA

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.

Irvine, CA • On-site

$150K - $185K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Team Name:

Unannounced ProjectJob Title:Principal Graphics Engineer, Unity | Unannounced Project - Irvine, CARequisition ID:R027082Job Description:

At Blizzard, we craft genre-defining games and legendary worlds for all to share. Through unparalleled creativity and storytelling, we create immersive universes and iconic characters that are beloved across platforms, borders, backgrounds, and generations only made possible by building a work environment that cultivates the artistry of game development and unleashes the aspirations of our people.

We are looking for a Principal Software Engineer to help craft a new, unannounced game at Blizzard. Our team values creativity, collaboration, and a dedication to quality, and we are searching for contributors aligned to our core Blizzard values to join our team of dedicated game makers.

As a key member of the development team, you will be responsible for shaping the rendering architecture and visual pipelines that power highquality, scalable player experiences across multiple platforms. You are comfortable operating in a dynamic environment, navigating fluid priorities while maintaining strong technical vision and ownership.

This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, with some work on-site and some work from home. The potential home studio for this role is Irvine, CA.

Remote candidates within the United States and Canada will also be considered.

Responsibilities

  • Designs and implements rendering systems, shader frameworks, and graphics pipelines in Unity to support highquality visuals across multiple platforms.

  • Partners closely with artists and technical artists to develop scalable art workflows, asset pipelines, and tools that enable efficient content creation.

  • Profiles and optimizes CPU, GPU, memory, and asset performance to ensure players can enjoy the game with smooth performance and minimal time to fun.

  • Develops and improves asset delivery and patching workflows for the game client, including asset bundling strategies that support efficient and seamless updates.

  • Mentors and collaborates with other engineers, helping guide graphics and runtime architecture while setting a strong technical vision for visual systems and pipelines.

Minimum Requirements

Experience

  • 13+ years of professional software engineering experience, including significant handson experience in realtime graphics or rendering engineering on shipped Unity games across multiple platforms.

  • Deep experience building and optimising graphics systems in Unity, including familiarity with the Universal Render Pipeline (URP) and/or Scriptable Render Pipelines (SRP).

  • Advanced experience developing and optimising shaders using HLSL and ShaderLab, including GPU techniques such as compute shaders.

  • Significant experience in real-time graphics or rendering engineering on shipped Unity games released across multiple platforms.

  • Deep experience building and optimizing graphics systems in Unity, including familiarity with Universal Render Pipeline or Scriptable Render Pipelines.

  • Advanced experience developing and optimizing shaders using HLSL and ShaderLab, including GPU techniques such as compute shaders.

Skills & Knowledge

  • Strong knowledge of modern real-time rendering techniques, including physically based rendering, lighting and shadowing, post-processing, and material systems.

  • Expertise in profiling and optimizing CPU, GPU, memory usage, and asset loading during both gameplay and runtime.

  • Experience working within graphics performance budgets, texture streaming strategies, and asset memory management across platforms.

  • Proven ability to work collaboratively within teams and foster productive partnerships across all disciplines.

  • Demonstrated ability to inspire colleagues through an enthusiastic approach to game development and a commitment to continuous improvement of core skills.

  • Ability to take initiative and manage responsibilities independently, demonstrating strong ownership and accountability.

  • Experienced and knowledgeable player of a wide range of games, using this perspective to inform creative and technical decisions.

Extra Points

  • Experience developing shared libraries, rendering tools, or art workflow improvements in Unity.

  • Experience working with audio middleware such as Wwise, FMOD, or Fabric within Unity-based games.

  • Familiarity with Blizzard games.

Required Application Materials

  • Resume.

  • Portfolio, GitHub, or examples of relevant technical work (if available).

Your Platform

At Blizzard Entertainment, we pour our hearts and souls into everything we create. Best known for iconic game universes including Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, and StarCraft, we've been creating genre-defining experiences for millions of players around the world for more than 30 years. Hard work, iteration, and polish go into the Blizzard "secret recipe," but the most important ingredients come from talented people who share our vision.

Our World

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc., a division of Activision Blizzard and part of Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard has created some of the industry's most critically acclaimed games over the last 30 years and engages tens of millions of players around the world with titles available across console and PC platforms.

Our ability to build immersive and innovative worlds is enhanced by diverse teams working in an inclusive environment. We aspire to create a culture where everyone can thrive while connecting players through epic entertainment. We provide a comprehensive benefits package that supports physical, emotional, and financial well-being.

The videogame industry is fast-paced and continues to evolve. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this role may be adjusted as needed to support our games and our players.

We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about shaping the future of games. Not sure you meet every qualification? Let us decide. Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups are less likely to apply unless they meet every requirement-when in fact, they often do. We are committed to building diverse, inclusive teams and strongly encourage you to apply.

Rewards

We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for 'Every World' - we've got our employees covered! Subject to eligibility requirements, the Company offers comprehensive benefits including:

  • Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance;
  • 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching;
  • Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave;
  • Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others;
  • If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.

Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company. You can learn more by visiting https://www.benefitsforeveryworld.com/.

In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $146,000.00 - $270,004.00 Annual. These values reflect the expected base pay range of new hires across all U.S. locations. Ultimately, your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. Your Talent Professional can share this role's range details for your local geography during the hiring process. In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed. While we strive to provide competitive offers to successful candidates, new hire compensation is negotiable.

Blizzard Entertainment logo

About Blizzard Entertainment

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Blizzard Entertainment is a globally recognized leader in the Digital Gaming industry, renowned for creating some of the world's most popular video games such as "World of Warcraft," "Overwatch," and "Diablo." The company was founded in 1991 and is currently based in Irvine, California, USA. Aside from creating engaging video games, Blizzard Entertainment also develops and supports a wide range of software products within the realm of entertainment. The company prides itself on its commitment to quality, an element that can be recognized in its vast array of legendary games. Notably, its creation, World of Warcraft, remains one of the highest-grossing video games of all time.

Industry

Arts, entertainment, and recreation

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Irvine, CA, US

Year founded

1991

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