Game Designer Jobs in California
Game Designer jobs in California are among the most active in the world, concentrated in the video game studios, interactive entertainment companies, and mobile gaming firms anchored in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, with openings at every level from junior designer to creative director. Established employers like Electronic Arts, Riot Games, and Blizzard Entertainment maintain major California studios and hire continuously across design disciplines including level design, narrative design, and systems design. Demand is especially strong for designers with experience in live-service games, UX-driven mobile titles, and VR or AR development. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Game Designer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 12+ Game Designer jobs
General Information
- Location: Vancouver - Great Northern Way
- State: British Columbia
- Country: Canada
- Location: Madison
- State: Wisconsin
- Country: United States of America
Description & Requirements
Founded in 2010 by the original creators of the Call of Duty Franchise, Respawn was created with the philosophy that when talented people have creative freedom, they'll make extraordinary games that achieve the unexpected. From our roots as an indie studio to joining the expansive roster of studios at Electronic Arts, this remains our guiding principle. We truly love what we do and want to share our passion with players worldwide. Our shipped titles include critically acclaimed multi-platform games Apex Legends, Titanfall, Titanfall 2, and Star Wars™ Jedi: Fallen Order.
Join us for the opportunity to create groundbreaking games with some of the best developer talent in the industry.
Apex Legends is looking for a Game Designer who will help us shape and iterate on in-game Bots components for the Battle Royale. You'll work to identify expected player behaviors at various skill levels and how to replicate those with automated players (aka Bots). You will be responsible for quality of life improvements and designing updates to existing Bots systems and pushing those updates through to release, and sustaining them with post release support. You will balance performance constraints with healthy bot behaviors to create autonomous opponents that can challenge players in the dynamic landscape of the Apex BR. Incorporate player metrics, sentiment, and playtest feedback into decision making. You have experience on a live service game in AI or Systems design, and have strong enough technical and scripting abilities to work independently.
You will report to the Senior Lead Game Designer.
What You'll Do…
Analyze the match flow and Tactics of Apex Legends, and identify key patterns of successful play
-
Design AI behaviors and establish expectations of performance for Bots
-
Partner with and support engineers to implement updates to Bots systems
-
Hold and communicate the vision for the feature to your collaborators including Product, Data and Analytics, Production and more
-
Ensure a high quality release by bug fixing, balancing, and creating a robust system that supports Bots in the Battle Royale
-
Support other designers with broader gameplay
Ideally, you also will have…
3+ years professional experience as a game designer on a multiplayer game
-
Direct experience building NPC / AI behaviors
-
Experience in rapid prototyping and iterative design
-
Experience implementing designs via scripting
-
Understanding of game feel and polish
-
Strong track record in design and balance
-
Played and formed a lot of opinions about many live games
-
Strong opinions on best practices of how Bots should behave in an FPS
Pay Transparency - North America
General Information
- Location: Vancouver - Great Northern Way
- State: British Columbia
- Country: Canada
- Location: Madison
- State: Wisconsin
- Country: United States of America
Description & Requirements
Founded in 2010 by the original creators of the Call of Duty Franchise, Respawn was created with the philosophy that when talented people have creative freedom, they'll make extraordinary games that achieve the unexpected. From our roots as an indie studio to joining the expansive roster of studios at Electronic Arts, this remains our guiding principle. We truly love what we do and want to share our passion with players worldwide. Our shipped titles include critically acclaimed multi-platform games Apex Legends, Titanfall, Titanfall 2, and Star Wars™ Jedi: Fallen Order.
Join us for the opportunity to create groundbreaking games with some of the best developer talent in the industry.
Apex Legends is looking for a Game Designer who will help us shape and iterate on in-game Bots components for the Battle Royale. You'll work to identify expected player behaviors at various skill levels and how to replicate those with automated players (aka Bots). You will be responsible for quality of life improvements and designing updates to existing Bots systems and pushing those updates through to release, and sustaining them with post release support. You will balance performance constraints with healthy bot behaviors to create autonomous opponents that can challenge players in the dynamic landscape of the Apex BR. Incorporate player metrics, sentiment, and playtest feedback into decision making. You have experience on a live service game in AI or Systems design, and have strong enough technical and scripting abilities to work independently.
You will report to the Senior Lead Game Designer.
What You'll Do…
Analyze the match flow and Tactics of Apex Legends, and identify key patterns of successful play
-
Design AI behaviors and establish expectations of performance for Bots
-
Partner with and support engineers to implement updates to Bots systems
-
Hold and communicate the vision for the feature to your collaborators including Product, Data and Analytics, Production and more
-
Ensure a high quality release by bug fixing, balancing, and creating a robust system that supports Bots in the Battle Royale
-
Support other designers with broader gameplay
Ideally, you also will have…
3+ years professional experience as a game designer on a multiplayer game
-
Direct experience building NPC / AI behaviors
-
Experience in rapid prototyping and iterative design
-
Experience implementing designs via scripting
-
Understanding of game feel and polish
-
Strong track record in design and balance
-
Played and formed a lot of opinions about many live games
-
Strong opinions on best practices of how Bots should behave in an FPS
Pay Transparency - North America
See All 12 Game Designer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Game Designer JobsGame Designer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Game Designer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in game designer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in game design, computer science, or a closely related field
- Shipped portfolio demonstrating level, systems, or narrative design work
- Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as Unity, Unreal Engine, or proprietary editors
- Experience collaborating cross-functionally with engineers, artists, and producers
- Strong understanding of gameplay mechanics, player psychology, and live-service design loops
- Familiarity with player data analysis and iterative design informed by playtesting feedback
Game Designer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a game designer in California?
Game design has no state-issued license in California, so the path centers on education and a demonstrated body of work. Most California studios expect a bachelor's degree in game design, interactive media, or computer science from programs offered at schools like USC, UCI, or Cogswell College. Building a polished portfolio of playable prototypes or shipped titles is the single most important step, and many designers enter the field through QA testing or associate producer roles at California studios before transitioning into design.
How much do game designers make in California?
Game designers in California earn a median of about $136,110 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $68,090 for the lowest 10% to over $219,750 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire game designers in California?
Employers hiring game designers in California right now include Riot Games, Electronic Arts, and Riot Games, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of major studios and independent developers means openings appear across a wide range of genres and platforms, from console and PC titles to mobile and VR.
Which California cities have the most game designer jobs?
Los Angeles, Irvine, and Santa Monica have the most game designer openings in California. Los Angeles leads because it hosts the largest cluster of major studios and publisher headquarters, while San Francisco and the South Bay draw roles tied to mobile gaming and tech-adjacent interactive entertainment companies that have long based operations in the region.
Are there remote game designer jobs in California?
Yes, and more than many creative fields. About 44% of game designer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the industry's shift toward distributed teams following studio expansions during the last several years. Roles in narrative design, systems design, and UX design tend to be the most remote-friendly, while level design and roles requiring daily collaboration with art teams are more likely to require on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a game designer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is landing a QA tester or associate producer role at a California studio and moving into design from within. Large California employers like Electronic Arts and Riot Games hire entry-level QA testers who gain hands-on exposure to game systems and build internal relationships with design teams. Completing a capstone project through a California game design program and submitting it to student showcases or indie festivals also helps. A playable portfolio demonstrating one well-executed mechanic or level is more persuasive than a broad but unfinished collection of projects.
Where can I find and apply to game designer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to game designer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Find the roles that fit your experience and specialization and apply directly to each one. No profile creation or sign-up is required to search and apply.
See All 12 Game Designer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Game Designer Jobs