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Virtual Reality Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

General Atomics

Training Developer II

Palmdale, CA · On-site

$56K - $96K/yr

... as Virtual Reality (VR) within a pre-existing Unity-based training environment. You will ... engineers to create interactive, realistic training experiences for aircraft maintainers ...

Meta

Reality Labs Digital Accounting Manager

Menlo Park, CA · On-site +1

$114K/yr

... as virtual reality games, videos, and immersive content. As a member of this high-performing team ... Partner with product engineering and operations teams to support system solutions that accurately ...

Meta

Linguistic Engineer

Burlingame, CA · On-site

Meta's Reality Labs Wearables division is developing future products in augmented reality and virtual reality. Our work in conversational AI, computer v.

Meta

Reality Labs Digital Accounting Manager

Menlo Park, CA · On-site

$114K - $167K/yr

... as virtual reality games, videos, and immersive content. As a member of this high-performing team ... across finance, engineering, and operations to problem-solve and provide guidance to cross ...

Meta

Display Integration Lead, Reality Labs

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$173K - $245K/yr

You will collaborate with cross-functional partners spanning optics, electrical engineering ... Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual ...

Meta

Emerging Channels Lead, Reality Labs

Burlingame, CA · On-site +1

$152K/yr

Reality Labs is building the future of human connection through augmented reality, virtual reality ... Collaborative history with Product and Engineering teams to enhance tracking, attribution, and ...

Meta

Finance Manager, Reality Labs

Burlingame, CA · On-site +1

$120K/yr

Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration ... Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual ...

Meta

Finance Manager, Reality Labs

Menlo Park, CA · On-site +1

$120K/yr

Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration ... Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual ...

Meta

Computer Vision Engineer

Burlingame, CA

$183K/yr

... and Virtual reality (AR/VR) products. RL has global departments dedicated to research and ... Computer Vision Engineer Responsibilities: * Lead the productization of CVML models for Surface ...

Meta

Computer Vision Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA

$183K/yr

... and Virtual reality (AR/VR) products. RL has global departments dedicated to research and ... Computer Vision Engineer Responsibilities: * Lead the productization of CVML models for Surface ...

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All JobsReality Developer JobsVirtual Reality Developer JobsVirtual Reality Developer Jobs in California

Virtual Reality Developer information

See California salary details

$16

$52

$80

How much do virtual reality developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for virtual reality developer in California is $52.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39.86 and $63.80 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What tech jobs pay 400,000 a year?

Virtual Reality Developers with extensive experience, specialized skills in 3D programming, and knowledge of platforms like Unreal Engine or Unity can reach salaries around $400,000 annually, especially in senior or lead roles. High-paying tech positions often require advanced certifications, a strong portfolio, and work in innovative or high-demand environments.

What is a Virtual Reality Developer?

A Virtual Reality Developer is a technology professional who designs, builds, and tests immersive applications and experiences using virtual reality (VR) technology. They use programming languages, 3D modeling tools, and game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine to create interactive environments for gaming, training, education, healthcare, and other industries. Their work involves both creative design and technical development, often collaborating with artists, designers, and other developers to bring virtual worlds to life.

What are some common challenges faced by Virtual Reality Developers when collaborating with designers and other team members?

Virtual Reality Developers often work closely with designers, artists, and UX specialists to bring immersive experiences to life. One common challenge is aligning technical constraints with creative vision, as not all design ideas are feasible within current VR hardware limitations. Effective communication and iterative prototyping are essential to bridge gaps between disciplines and ensure that both performance and user experience goals are met. Additionally, VR projects require rigorous testing across multiple devices, which can add complexity to collaboration and scheduling.

Are VR developers in demand?

VR developers are in high demand as virtual reality technology expands across industries such as gaming, healthcare, education, and training. Companies seek skilled developers proficient in 3D modeling, programming, and platforms like Unity or Unreal Engine to create immersive experiences, leading to strong job growth in this field.

What is the difference between Virtual Reality Developer vs Augmented Reality Developer?

AspectVirtual Reality DeveloperAugmented Reality Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science, Software Development, or related field; experience with 3D engines like Unity or UnrealBachelor's in Computer Science, Software Development, or related field; experience with AR SDKs like ARKit or ARCore
Work EnvironmentDevelops immersive VR experiences for gaming, training, or simulations, often using VR headsetsCreates AR applications for mobile devices or AR glasses, integrating digital content with real-world views
Employer & Industry UsageGaming, training, healthcare, education, simulation industriesRetail, marketing, maintenance, navigation, healthcare industries

While both roles involve creating interactive digital experiences, Virtual Reality Developers focus on fully immersive environments using VR headsets, whereas Augmented Reality Developers enhance real-world views with digital overlays. Both require similar technical skills but differ in application and target devices.

Is VR a dying medium?

Virtual Reality developers work in a growing industry with expanding applications in gaming, training, education, and healthcare. While the technology faces challenges like high costs and hardware limitations, ongoing advancements suggest VR remains a relevant and evolving field rather than a dying medium.

What does a virtual reality developer do?

A virtual reality developer designs, creates, and tests immersive VR experiences and applications using programming languages like C# or C++ and development platforms such as Unity or Unreal Engine. They work on integrating 3D models, audio, and user interactions to build realistic virtual environments, often collaborating with designers and artists. Strong coding skills, knowledge of 3D modeling, and understanding of hardware requirements are essential for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Virtual Reality Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Virtual Reality Developer, you need strong programming skills (C#, C++, or Java), 3D modeling understanding, and a background in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, and knowledge of VR hardware and SDKs, are typically required, along with certifications in VR development or related areas being advantageous. Creativity, problem-solving abilities, and effective collaboration are crucial soft skills that set top developers apart. These skills ensure immersive, functional VR experiences and enable developers to innovate and adapt in a rapidly evolving technology landscape.
What are popular job titles related to Virtual Reality Developer jobs in California? For Virtual Reality Developer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Virtual Reality Developer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Virtual Reality Developer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Virtual Reality Developer jobs? Cities in California with the most Virtual Reality Developer job openings:
Virtual Reality Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Virtual Reality Developer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,466 per year, or $52.1 per hour.

Lead Unreal 4 programmer - Virtual Reality

Immersive Entertainment

Irvine, CA

Contractor

Re-posted 25 days ago

Job description

Company Description

We create next-generation Virtual Reality Content that represents a new form of entertainment. We bridge the gap between video games and movies, providing a level of immersion, emotional engagement and realism never before seen.

Job Description
  • Be the in-house expert on the Unreal Engine 4 including blueprints.
  • Implement practical and timely solutions that meet the game design and technical requirements.
  • Implement code /blueprints that is modular self-contained and defensive and observes the technical constraints on the system.
  • Work closely together with the CCO.
  • Ensure coding standards are followed and help to enforce good programming practices within the engineering team.
  • Maintain technical documentation for the engineering team as well as other disciplines.
  • Optimise code and data for memory usage and performance as required.
  • Keep abreast of new advances in virtual reality hardware, rendering technology and algorithms.
  • Sharing knowledge and techniques across the studio
  • Mentoring programmers 
Qualifications
  •  5+ years of experience in game development
  • Expert knowledge of working with UDK, Unreal Engine 3, Unreal Engine 4.
  • Excellent Unreal Engine blueprint skills.
  • Excellent C/C++ programming skills with good knowledge of object oriented development.
  • Expert knowledge of mathematics ability and a familiarity with common 3d graphics principles and rendering algorithms.
  • Expert knowledge Good working knowledge of current GPU architecture and rendering APIs experience with DirectX 11 /12 
  • Experience with commonly used development tools such as Visual Studio and Perforce.
  • Solid commercial software development experience with significant involvement in 1 published AAA game in a 3d environment
  • Knowledge of common algorithms data structures and patterns and the ability to apply them to problems while keeping constraints and performance in mind.
  • Able to analyse unfamiliar code of a reasonable complexity to understand and extend the functionality of an existing module.
  • Proven ability to debug defects of a reasonable complexity.
  • Good eye for details
  • English language
  • A strong team player and leader by example
Additional Information

Pluses

  • Shipped AAA PC or console titles as a Senior 3D Programmer
  • Work experience with Unreal Engine 4
  • Understanding the difference between developing for VR compared to traditional game development.
  • A passion for developing and playing virtual reality experiences


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