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Unreal Game Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

31st Union

Senior Gameplay Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site +1

$108K - $161K/yr

... game. Using C++, Unreal Engine 5, and our in-house utility AI framework, you will make bots that ... engineering on shipped action games * Strong C++ and Unreal Engine fluency, including AI ...

2K

Senior Gameplay Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site +1

$108K - $161K/yr

... game. Using C++, Unreal Engine 5, and our in-house utility AI framework, you will make bots that ... engineering on shipped action games * Strong C++ and Unreal Engine fluency, including AI ...

Cloud Chamber

Gameplay Engineer

Novato, CA · On-site

$85K - $126K/yr

Work within Unreal 5 engine, both adapting existing systems and building new technology, in order ... Keep current on technological developments and advancements in the game industry. * Identify ...

2K

Gameplay Engineer

Novato, CA

$85K - $126K/yr

Work within Unreal 5 engine, both adapting existing systems and building new technology, in order ... Keep current on technological developments and advancements in the game industry. * Identify ...

2K

Gameplay Engineer

Novato, CA · On-site

$85K - $126K/yr

Work within Unreal 5 engine, both adapting existing systems and building new technology, in order ... Keep current on technological developments and advancements in the game industry. * Identify ...

Cloud Chamber

Gameplay Engineer

Novato, CA

$85K - $126K/yr

Work within Unreal 5 engine, both adapting existing systems and building new technology, in order ... Keep current on technological developments and advancements in the game industry. * Identify ...

2K

Gameplay Engineer

Novato, CA · On-site

$85K - $126K/yr

Work within Unreal 5 engine, both adapting existing systems and building new technology, in order ... Keep current on technological developments and advancements in the game industry. * Identify ...

Side

Senior Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$112K - $154K/yr

Significant professional experience as a Senior, Lead, or Principal , with deep expertise in game engine and graphics programming. * Expert knowledge of Unreal Engine 5 , including engine ...

New

Intrepid Studios

Gameplay Programmer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$136K - $151K/yr

Company Description Founded in 2015, Intrepid Studios is the independent developer and publisher of ... Develop online gameplay features in Unreal engine * Learn and adopt the coding standards and ...

Intrepid Studios

Gameplay Programmer

San Diego, CA

$136K - $151K/yr

Company Description Founded in 2015, Intrepid Studios is the independent developer and publisher of ... Develop online gameplay features in Unreal engine * Learn and adopt the coding standards and ...

Striking Distance Studios

Lead Gameplay Engineer

San Ramon, CA · On-site

$112K - $147K/yr

... game development. They are looking for a Lead Gameplay Engineer to implement a wide variety of ... Unreal Engine. • Experience shipping games on current generation consoles (PS5 or XSX) and PC ...

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Unreal Game Developer information

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$107K

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How much do unreal game developer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for unreal game developer in California is $107,050.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,400.00 and $122,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an unreal game developer?

An Unreal Game Developer is responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing games using Unreal Engine, a powerful game development platform. They write and implement gameplay mechanics, work with Blueprints or C++, and collaborate with artists and designers to create immersive experiences. Their role also includes debugging, performance optimization, and integrating assets like animations, audio, and UI elements. Unreal Game Developers can work in various industries, including gaming, virtual production, and simulations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an unreal game developer?

To excel as an Unreal Game Developer, you need expertise in C++ programming, 3D mathematics, and deep familiarity with Unreal Engine's tools and workflows, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Proficiency with Unreal Engine’s Blueprint system, version control software like Git, and optional certifications such as Unreal Authorized Instructor can be beneficial. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills help you collaborate effectively and adapt to project changes. These combined skills enable you to efficiently build, troubleshoot, and refine high-quality interactive game experiences within a team environment.

What are some typical challenges unreal game developers face on the job?

Unreal Game Developers commonly encounter challenges such as optimizing game performance to run smoothly across various platforms, debugging complex interactions, and staying updated with frequent Unreal Engine updates. Collaborating with artists, designers, and other developers requires effective communication to ensure a cohesive vision and troubleshoot issues as they arise. Deadlines can be tight, especially nearing milestones or release dates, so managing workloads and prioritizing tasks is crucial. By working closely within a multidisciplinary team and continuously learning, developers can successfully overcome these challenges and produce high-quality games.

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

The most popular types of Unreal Game Developer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Unreal Game Developer jobs in California?

For Unreal Game Developer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Unreal Game Developer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Unreal Game Developer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Unreal Game Developer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Unreal Game Developer job openings:

Unreal Game Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Unreal Game Developer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,050 per year, or $51.5 per hour.

Senior Game Engineer, GenAI - Games

Netflix

Los Angeles, CA

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago

Netflix rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

70th of 76 rated media

Job description

At Netflix, our mission is to entertain the world. Together, we are writing the next episode - pushing the boundaries of storytelling, global fandom and making the unimaginable a reality. We are a dream team obsessed with the uncomfortable excitement of discovering what happens when you merge creativity, intuition and cutting-edge technology. Come be a part of what's next.

We are seeking a Senior Game Engineer who is passionate about the next frontier of interactive storytelling and player agency. In this role, you won't just be building models; you'll be building experiences. You will leverage Generative AI to break traditional scripted boundaries, creating dynamic gameplay systems that respond to players in ways previously thought impossible.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design-Led Engineering: Work elbow-to-elbow with Game Designers to prototype and ship AI-augmented gameplay.

  • Player-Centric AI: Implement GenAI features that directly enhance the player experience, ensuring that AI-generated content feels intentional, high-quality, and most importantly, fun.

  • Core Systems Integration: Architect how GenAI hooks into core game systems (AI behavior trees, narrative engines, and world-building tools) to ensure seamless, low-latency performance.

  • Guardrails & UX: Develop the "logic layer" that sits between raw AI outputs and the player, ensuring content remains on-theme, safe, and balanced within the game's mechanics.

  • Rapid Gameplay Iteration: Use GenAI to accelerate the "find the fun" phase of development, building internal tools that allow for faster level blocking, asset variation, and playtesting loops.

  • Technical Troubleshooting: Debug complex interactions where AI systems meet deterministic game logic, maintaining the stability of the live game environment.

Qualifications

  • Gameplay Engineering Core: 5+ years of professional experience in game development. You have a deep understanding of game architecture, player controllers, and real-time systems.

  • Applied GenAI Skills: Proven experience using LLMs or Diffusion models to solve specific product problems. You know how to prompt, fine-tune, and chain models to get predictable results in an unpredictable game world.

  • Systems Thinker: You understand how a change in an AI's "personality" or "generation parameters" affects game balance and the overall player journey.

  • Technical Proficiency: Expert-level C++ or C# (Unity/Unreal) and a grasp of Python for tooling and data pipelines.

  • Passion for Innovation: You are excited by "impossible" design challenges and believe GenAI is the key to unlocking new genres of play.

Generally, our compensation structure consists solely of an annual salary; we do not have bonuses. You choose each year how much of your compensation you want in salary versus stock options. To determine your personal top of market compensation, we rely on market indicators and consider your specific job family, background, skills, and experience to determine your compensation in the market range. The range for this role is $280,000.00 - $400,000.00.

Netflix provides comprehensive benefits including Health Plans, Mental Health support, a 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer match, Stock Option Program, Disability Programs, Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts, Family-forming benefits, and Life and Serious Injury Benefits. We also offer paid leave of absence programs. Full-time hourly employees accrue 35 days annually for paid time off to be used for vacation, holidays, and sick paid time off. Full-time salaried employees are immediately entitled to flexible time off. See more details about our Benefits here.

Netflix is a unique culture and environment. Learn more here.

Inclusion is a Netflix value and we strive to host a meaningful interview experience for all candidates. If you want an accommodation/adjustment for a disability or any other reason during the hiring process, please send a request to your recruiting partner.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and celebrate diversity, recognizing that diversity builds stronger teams. We approach diversity and inclusion seriously and thoughtfully. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service.

What Netflix employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

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About Netflix

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with 222 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries, feature films and mobile games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

Industry

Arts, entertainment, and recreation

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Gatos, CA, US

Year founded

1997

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