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Video Game Testing Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA (NOW HIRING)

Product Marketing Manager

Novato, CA ยท On-site

$180K/yr

Who We Are At 2K, we create some of the most iconic and culture-shaping video games in ... Lead consistent funnel testing efforts to improve user acquisition efforts: A/B test creative ...

Product Marketing Manager

Novato, CA ยท On-site

$180K/yr

Who We Are At 2K, we create some of the most iconic and culture-shaping video games in ... Lead consistent funnel testing efforts to improve user acquisition efforts: A/B test creative ...

Video Game Testing information

See Santa Rosa, CA salary details

$6

$16

$31

How much do video game testing jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for video game testing in Santa Rosa, CA is $16.70, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.71 and $19.95 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Video Game Tester, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Video Game Tester, you need strong attention to detail, analytical thinking, and a good understanding of gaming platforms and software, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with bug tracking tools such as JIRA, test case management systems, and knowledge of various gaming consoles and PC hardware are commonly required. Excellent communication, patience, and problem-solving skills help testers report issues clearly and collaborate effectively with development teams. These skills ensure thorough game evaluation, efficient issue resolution, and improved overall game quality before release.

What is the difference between Video Game Testing vs Quality Assurance Tester?

AspectVideo Game TestingQuality Assurance Tester
CredentialsBasic gaming knowledge, sometimes certifications in testingSame as game testing, often with QA certifications
Work EnvironmentGame studios, testing labs, remote optionsGame studios, software companies, QA departments
Industry UsagePrimarily in gaming industryBroader software industry, including gaming
Job FocusFinding bugs, gameplay issues, reporting defectsEnsuring overall quality, process compliance, bug tracking

Video Game Testing and Quality Assurance Tester roles share many credentials and work environments, with game testing focusing more on bug identification during gameplay, while QA testers oversee broader quality processes. Both roles are essential in the gaming industry for delivering polished products.

What is video game testing?

Video game testing is the process of playing video games in order to identify bugs, glitches, and other issues before the game is released to the public. Testers play through different levels, follow specific test cases, and report any problems they encounter to the development team. The goal is to ensure the game is as polished and bug-free as possible, providing a better experience for players. Video game testers often work closely with developers and may test on various platforms such as PC, consoles, or mobile devices.

How do I become a video game tester?

To become a video game tester, you should have a strong interest in gaming, good communication skills, and attention to detail. Many testers start by applying for entry-level positions at game development companies or through testing agencies, and familiarity with testing tools or bug tracking software can be helpful. A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required, and some roles may require knowledge of specific gaming platforms or genres.

How much does a games tester make?

Video game testers typically earn between $20,000 and $50,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the employer. Entry-level testers often start at the lower end of this range, while experienced testers or those working for larger companies may earn higher salaries. The role may also include benefits such as flexible hours and opportunities to develop skills in game development tools.

What are some common challenges faced by video game testers, and how can they be addressed?

Video game testers frequently encounter challenges such as repetitive tasks, tight deadlines, and the need to document bugs in precise detail. It can also be demanding to play unfinished or buggy builds for extended periods, which requires patience and a keen eye for detail. Effective communication with developers and other testers is essential to ensure issues are clearly understood and prioritized. Building strong time management skills and maintaining a collaborative attitude helps testers overcome these challenges and contribute to a smoother game development process.

Is there a job for game testing?

Video game testing is a legitimate job that involves playing games to identify bugs, glitches, and usability issues before release. It typically requires attention to detail, knowledge of gaming platforms, and sometimes specific software testing skills; many companies hire testers on a contract or full-time basis. Job opportunities can be found through gaming companies, testing agencies, and online job boards.

How much do video game testers make?

Video game testers typically earn between $10 and $20 per hour, with entry-level positions often paying around minimum wage and experienced testers earning higher rates. Salaries can vary based on location, company, and experience, and some testers work part-time or on contract. Many testers also need strong attention to detail and familiarity with gaming platforms and tools.
What are popular job titles related to Video Game Testing jobs in Santa Rosa, CA? For Video Game Testing jobs in Santa Rosa, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Video Game Testing jobs in Santa Rosa, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Video Game Testing jobs in Santa Rosa, CA are:
What cities near Santa Rosa, CA are hiring for Video Game Testing jobs? Cities near Santa Rosa, CA with the most Video Game Testing job openings:
Infographic showing various Video Game Testing job openings in Santa Rosa, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 65% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,734 per year, or $16.7 per hour.

Senior Director, Product Management (2K Sports Lab)

2K

Novato, CA โ€ข On-site

$273K - $286K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago


Job description

Who We Are
At 2K, we build some of the most iconic and culture-shaping video games in entertainment. In 2023, we announced 2K Sports Lab, our latest stand-alone studio that is shaping an ambitious plan to define the future of sports games. We're currently building a world-class team to build the next blockbuster sports franchise that's rooted in bold ideas, innovative experiences and an unrelenting focus on the player.
What We Need
We are looking for a Senior Director, Product Management responsible for partnering with the 2K Sports Lab on product strategy, feature roadmaps, and management of the live service player experience to enable long-term engagement & revenue growth.
In this critical role, you will work with the studio to architect and execute a multi-year product roadmap, shaping our player engagement, growth and retention strategies. Leading both the product management and data insights teams, you will work closely with studio and publishing collaborators to develop and implement plans that will enable the franchise to become a cultural powerhouse.
What You'll Do
  • Product Leadership
    • Multi-Year Product Roadmap: Partner with the studio to drive the design and execution of the multi-year product roadmap, being a strong voice in the vision, direction & evolution of the core game experience.
    • Player Lifetime Value: Maximise the end-to-end player lifecycle - onboarding, retention, re-acquisition & monetization - leveraging data to build and continually iterate a live service strategy that consistently grows in-game engagement and player lifetime value.
    • Monetization Models: Collaborate with the studio to plan and optimize in-game monetization models, ensuring they are designed to enhance the player experience, increase MAUs, and drive long-term revenue growth without creating player friction or introducing pay-to-win dynamics.
    • Content Roadmap: Co-author the daily/weekly/monthly/annual cadence of feature drops, content updates, gameplay optimization, and game resets, ensuring alignment on resourcing, licensing, and development costs.
    • Evergreen Engagement & Conversion: Build comprehensive messaging, campaign, and upsell strategies in collaboration with performance marketing and studio development teams to drive ongoing player engagement and conversion.
  • Data, Insights & Market Intelligence
    • Voice of the Player: Understand and advocate for the player's perspective at every opportunity, to ensure the development of fair and balanced gameplay experiences that empowers player choice and values their time.
    • Telemetry & Analysis: Define telemetry needs, critical metrics, reporting, and analysis needed to develop insights that impact product decisions, ultimately enabling us to improve the player experience and exceed core franchise targets.
    • Landscape Analysis: Leverage market intelligence to deliver insight and thought leadership on the industry landscape, trends, competitor products, and best practices to help us grow and evolve our thinking regarding player engagement strategies.
    • Localization Strategy: Develop regional and local market insight, understanding player needs across diverse geographies, recommending localisation opportunities across the organisation to expand our TAM and deliver a positive ROI.
  • Team & Operational Leadership
    • Team Leadership: Architect and lead a high-performing Product Management & Analytics organization; mentor a multidisciplinary team of PMs, Data Analysts, and Data Scientists to establish a "best-in-class" center of excellence for franchise-wide player insights.
    • Operational Excellence: Direct mission-critical operations to ensure go-to-market readiness; e.g. driving accountability for 1st party submissions and the global legal compliance process.
    • Best-in-Class Testing Plans: Orchestrate a comprehensive testing roadmap - from Alpha/Beta execution to release management - leveraging real-time monitoring, dashboards, and community feedback loops to optimize game quality and player satisfaction.
    • Regulatory Landscape Expert: Proactively navigate the evolving global legislative landscape to ensure full product compliance, mitigating risk by anticipating and preparing for upcoming regulatory shifts.
    • Franchise Evangelist: Develop a deep understanding of our product, becoming the sought-after expert regarding product and live services strategy. Proactively share insights, processes, and lessons learned across studio & publishing teams within the sports game portfolio.

What Will Make You a Great Fit
  • AAA Live Service Expertise: 10+ years of experience in product leadership, specifically driving persistent AAA console/PC live service games
  • Visionary Leadership: An accomplished team builder with a proven track record of inspiring and empowering high-performing, cross-functional teams.
  • Strategic Influence: Expert-level ability to align diverse stakeholders and drive executive-level decision-making through clear, structured communication and collaboration.
  • Analytical Decision-Maker: A critical thinker who masterfully balances data-driven insights with player perspectives, business priorities, and resource constraints to solve complex product challenges.
  • Sports Passion: A genuine passion for sports paired with an intuitive grasp of how to interpret sports culture into high-impact digital experiences.

Bonus Points
  • Early Development: Experience working in the early phases of development (pre-production and production) of AAA and/or Free-to-Play games with live services content.
  • Mobile Platform Fluency: Strategic insight into onboarding, scaling and retaining player bases within evergreen mobile games.
  • Publishing Partnership: Experience working in collaboration with publishing teams, collaborating on decisions that impact both product and commercial outcomes.

The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $227,700 and $337,020 per year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations.
Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for employees in regular roles may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, provided that temporary or intern roles will not be eligible for many of these payments or benefits. Details of participation in compensation and benefit plans (if applicable) will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and the company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform their essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us if you need reasonable accommodation.
Please note that 2K Games and its studios never use instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews and when emailing, only use 2K.com accounts.
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