Gameplay Programming Intern - Undergraduate

PlayStation; Burbank (CA); On-site; USD 57,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Paid internship

Job summary

Insomniac Games in Burbank, CA is seeking a Gameplay Programming Intern to help develop and refine gameplay features using C++. You’ll contribute to character controls, player abilities, enemy behavior, and interactive environments as part of a hands-on internship.

You’ll be mentored by senior programmers, gain practical experience, and learn how gameplay features are designed and refined within a collaborative game development setting. This internship emphasizes learning and gameplay innovation.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a BS/BSE in Computer Science or Computer Engineering; Physics or Math with computer programming experience will also be considered.
• Six to twelve months of related experience and/or training is beneficial but not required for currently enrolled students.
• Ability to program in C++.

Responsibilities

• Develop and improve gameplay features using C++ while collaborating with experienced programmers.
• Contribute to gameplay systems involving controls, cameras, characters, breakables, and interactive objects.
• Support the development of enemy behaviors, player abilities, and other gameplay mechanics that shape the player experience.
• Work on platform features, trophies, and visual effects as part of gameplay development projects.
• Investigate, track, and fix bugs to improve gameplay functionality and performance.
• Collaborate with the Gameplay Programming team to explore technical solutions and learn how gameplay features are developed and refined.
• Gain hands-on experience with gameplay programming techniques and development workflows through mentorship from senior team members.

Skills

C++

Education

BS/BSE in Computer Science or Computer Engineering

Physics or Math with programming experience

Job description

Job ID: R-125855

Role Summary

Join the Gameplay Programming team at Insomniac Games and gain hands‑on experience developing gameplay features that help bring video games to life.

As a Gameplay Programming Intern, you'll work alongside experienced programmers to create and improve gameplay systems that shape how players interact with the game. You'll contribute to features such as character controls, player abilities, enemy behaviors, and interactive environments while applying your C++ programming skills to real-world game development projects.

Throughout the internship, you'll receive mentorship from senior members of the Gameplay Programming team, strengthen your technical and problem‑solving skills, and learn how gameplay features are designed, implemented, and refined in a collaborative game development environment.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Develop and improve gameplay features using C++ while collaborating with experienced programmers.

• Contribute to gameplay systems involving controls, cameras, characters, breakables, and interactive objects.

• Support the development of enemy behaviors, player abilities, and other gameplay mechanics that shape the player experience.

• Work on platform features, trophies, and visual effects as part of gameplay development projects.

• Investigate, track, and fix bugs to improve gameplay functionality and performance.

• Collaborate with the Gameplay Programming team to explore technical solutions and learn how gameplay features are developed and refined.

• Gain hands‑on experience with gameplay programming techniques and development workflows through mentorship from senior team members.

What We’re Looking For

• Currently pursuing a BS/BSE in Computer Science or Computer Engineering. Students majoring in Physics or Math with computer programming experience will also be considered.

• Six to twelve months of related experience and/or training is beneficial but not required for currently enrolled students.

• Ability to program in C++.

• Strong interest in gameplay programming and using technical skills to create engaging player experiences.

• A creative, self‑motivated, and responsible approach to learning and completing assigned work.

• Passion for video games and programming, with an interest in developing gameplay features and solving technical challenges.

Eligibility

• Students with expected graduation between May 2026 and December 2029 from an accredited university. Undergraduate

• Able to work during one of the following periods: May 17th - August 6th or June 14th - September 3rd. Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates.

• Must be available for the entire 12‑week internship period.

At this time, SIE will only consider applicants who are authorized to work for any employer in the United States and who will not require work visa sponsorship from SIE now or in the future to maintain their authorization to work in the United States.

Our intern positions offer a fixed hourly pay rate. Please note that the pay rate is exclusive to the internship period and may not reflect what pay may look like following the completion of an internship.

At SIE, we consider several factors when setting each role’s base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location. Please note that the base pay range may vary in line with our hybrid working policy and individual base pay will be determined based on job‑related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.

Intern Pay Range $41.50 — $50 USD

Please note, Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles) and will need to process personal information to support these checks.

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