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Unreal Programmer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Magnopus

Unreal Cinematic Pipeline Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

$130K - $190K/yr

Magnopus is looking for an Unreal Cinematic Pipeline Engineer to help build and maintain the tools and workflows that connect Unreal Engine with modern cinematic production pipelines. As a spatial ...

Eliassen Group

Unreal Engine Developer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$65 - $75/hr

Hybrid 3 days preferred, flex in San Diego, CA Our client seeks a seasoned Unreal Engine Developer to build developer tooling and panels that run inside Unreal Engine to support animation and live ...

Epic Games

Animation Systems Programmer

Larkspur, CA · On-site

$167K - $245K/yr

In collaboration with the Unreal Engine team, we strive to put our technology and knowledge into the hands of users, empowering developers and content creators with the most powerful suite of real ...

Unbroken Studios

Lead Engine Programmer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

Description We are looking for an exceptionally talented senior programmer who is ready for the ... Unreal Engine 3 or 4 experience a big advantage. * Experience working with modern games consoles ...

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Unreal Programmer information

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How much do unreal programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for unreal programmer in California is $39.02, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.38 and $50.77 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What challenges do unreal programmers face when working on large-scale game projects?

Unreal Programmers often encounter challenges related to optimizing performance and managing complex codebases, especially in large-scale game projects. Ensuring smooth gameplay across platforms requires deep knowledge of Unreal Engine's systems and best practices for memory and CPU/GPU usage. Collaboration with designers, artists, and other engineers is essential to integrate features efficiently and maintain stability. Effective communication and problem-solving skills are key to navigating these challenges and delivering high-quality results.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as an unreal programmer?

To thrive as an Unreal Programmer, you need strong proficiency in C++ programming, a solid grasp of computer science fundamentals, and experience with Unreal Engine’s architecture and workflows. Familiarity with source control systems, debugging tools, and Unreal Engine certifications are often required, along with expertise in Blueprints and asset integration. Excellent problem-solving skills, collaboration, and adaptability help you work efficiently with designers and artists to deliver high-quality interactive experiences. These skills ensure you can build efficient, scalable game systems and effectively contribute to complex development projects.

What is an unreal programmer?

Unreal Programmers are software developers who specialize in using Unreal Engine, a widely-used game development platform, to design, develop, and optimize interactive experiences, primarily video games. They write code, often in C++, to implement gameplay mechanics, user interfaces, artificial intelligence, and other systems within Unreal Engine. Unreal Programmers collaborate closely with designers, artists, and other team members to bring creative visions to life and ensure smooth, efficient performance. Their work may also include debugging, optimizing code, and integrating third-party tools or plugins. Strong knowledge of Unreal Engine’s architecture and best programming practices is essential for this role.

What is the difference between Unreal Programmer vs Game Developer?

AspectUnreal ProgrammerGame Developer
Required SkillsProficiency in Unreal Engine, C++, Blueprint scriptingVaries; may include programming, design, art, and project management
Work EnvironmentGame studios using Unreal Engine, often in tech-heavy rolesBroader; includes indie, AAA, mobile, and various platforms
CertificationsUnreal Engine certifications, programming credentialsNone specific; varies by specialization
Industry UsagePrimarily in companies developing with Unreal EngineAcross all game development companies and platforms

While Unreal Programmers focus on developing and optimizing games using Unreal Engine, Game Developers have a broader role that can include design, scripting, and project management across various engines and platforms. Unreal Programmers typically possess specialized skills in Unreal Engine and C++, whereas Game Developers may have diverse skill sets depending on their focus area.

Unreal Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Unreal Programmer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 7% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,158 per year, or $39 per hour.

Unreal Engineer, Gaming

Hired Recruiters

San Francisco, CA • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION
You are a game-development professional, eager to be a key contributor on a dynamic, happy team.
We are using Unreal Engine 4. The ideal candidate has great C++ skills in a game development environment, along with Unreal development prowess. But, don't count yourself out if your Unreal development skills are actually more novice than expert, but you are otherwise a true game-dev pro.
Responsibilities
  • Work with Product to build and maintain the best sports training platform on the market
  • Work closely with Design, from specification through production

Requirements
  • Some experience with Unreal Engine 4, even if not part of a commercial product
  • 3+ years professional development experience in the games industry
  • Fluency in C++
  • Fantastic debugging skills
  • Understanding of data structures, algorithms, complexity, and system design
  • Basic game math fundamentals (vectors, matrices, physics, projections, camera space, tangent space, object space)
  • Basic understanding of software design patterns
  • Working knowledge of source control, including best practices (branching/streams)
  • A practice of code instrumentation, tools, and development KPIs
  • Bachelors in CS, or equivalent experience

Bonus Qualifications
  • Understanding of concurrent programming
  • Basic relational database abilities (SQL, Postgres or AWS RDS)
  • Experience with Git and JIRA/Confluence
  • Experience with build systems, continuous integration and deployment
  • A background working with asset management systems, asset bundles, and in particular downloadable content (DLC)

JOB REQUIRED SKILLS:
C++, Unreal, AWS, SQL
Must Have
  • 3+ years of gaming engine development
  • BS CS or equivalent experience (addiitional 3yrs)
  • Some experience with Unreal Engine 4
  • Fluency in C++
  • Basic game math skills (vectors, matrices, physics, projections, camera space, tangent space, object space)

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