Careers
___ CURRENT JOBS
- | Character TD/Rigger
- | Marketing Artist
- | Lighting Artist
- | Environment Texture Artist
- | Character Concept Artist
- | Environment Artist
- | Character Artist
- | FX Artist
Art Department
- | Senior Sound Designer (Contract)
Audio Department
- | Game Designer (Co-Op)
- | Game Designer
- | Combat Designer
- | Game Designer (Multiplayer)
Design Department
- | Tools Programmer - ICE
- | Graphics Programmer - ICE
- | Technical Project Manager
ICE Department
- | Web Designer
Marketing Department
- | Tools Programmer
- | Network Programmer
- | Audio Programmer
- | Graphics Programmer
- | Gameplay Programmer
Programming Department
Senior Sound Designer (Contract)
Job description coming soon!
Email your resume or contact us about this position here: jobs@naughtydog.com
Game Designer
Responsibilities
- Provide creative and technical planning, level layout, setup and tuning of single-player video game levels, from high concept to object placement and scripting.
- Design and produce engaging and fun third-person action game play and levels using Maya, 3DS Max and other 3D packages.
- Script (programming) the set-up for third-person action games.
- Provide production direction for game levels designed, and other levels as needed, including collaboration across multi-disciplines to ensure deadlines are met without sacrificing overall game play.
- Work directly with artists, programmers, animators and other game designers to contribute to the vision of the game.
- Maintain responsibility for game level layout by creating simplified level geometry and performing extensive play testing and iteration.
- Effectively troubleshoot issues as they arise with a focus on creative, fun and innovative solutions.
- Work with programmers to develop effective software tools to streamline game design efforts on an ongoing basis.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree, or foreign equivalent * in Computer Science, or related
- Five (5) years of experience in the job offered, or as a Lead or Senior Designer in video game industry
- Experience/knowledge in PS3, Xbox 360 and Unreal 3 Engine required.
- A master’s degree in Computer Science, or a related field, plus one year of experience in the job offered, or as a Lead/Senior Game Designer in video game industry can substitute bachelor’s degree, plus 5 years of experience.
- * A foreign degree adjudged as a similar U.S. degree by an authorized U.S. credential evaluator.
Email your resume or contact us about this position here: jobs@naughtydog.com
Tools Programmer
Responsibilities
- Designing, developing and supporting tools in our production pipeline
- Work with our artists and designers to ensure tools are functioning properly
- Continuously improve the user experience and performance of our tools
Requirements/Skills
- Excellent 3D math skills (especially linear algebra and vector math)
- Strong graphics background
- PS3, Xbox 360, PC or other related programming experience
- Good oral and written skills
- Experience with a shipped product from start to finish
- B.S. in Computer Science and/or Mathematics or equivalent work experience
- Self-motivated individual with excellent problem solving skills
- Experience in creating one or more of the following PC applications: level editor (actor placement, navigation meshes, particles, boundary regions, etc), art prototype catalogue/database, animation/cinematic editor, material/shader editor, plug-ins, build tools, data messaging tools, lighting tools
- Experience in using one or more of the following technologies: Maya Plug-in API, SQL, OpenGL, CG/HLSL
- Ability to design, author, and maintain complex tools used in different parts of the production pipeline
- Knowledge of scripting languages (Python/MelScript/Lua/VBScript.) *Preferred *
- Experience using DCC applications (3DStudio/Maya/Photoshop/XSI/...) *Preferred*
- GUI art/design skills *Preferred*
Email your resume or contact us about this position here: jobs@naughtydog.com
Network Programmer
Responsibilities
- Contribute to the design, documentation, and deployment of new networking technologies
- Design and implementation of high level network code for next-generation console title
- Participate in feature testing, configuration testing, and play testing
- Maintain the existing code base and fix bugs as necessary
- Identify and work with external technology as needed to improve the game's functionality and/or productivity
Requirements and Skills
- Exceptional problem-solving ability
- Great low level socket implementation and C/C++ are required
- Good communication skills
- Passion for playing and developing exceptional games
- Experience with building parallel or distributed algorithms
- Thorough understanding of server architecture and TCP/IP networking
- Previous console experience preferred
- Experience working in a team environment
- Knowledge of networking protocols and patterns use for online games
- Experience in client, server, web and database programming technologies
Email your resume or contact us about this position here: jobs@naughtydog.com
Audio Programmer
Responsibilities
- Work with the Audio Department and Advanced Technology Group to extend and enhance the audio capabilities for titles currently under development
- Contribute to the design, documentation, and deployment of new audio technologies
- Create custom tools to unify the audio pipeline across multiple titles
- Participate in feature testing, configuration testing, and play testing
- Main tain the existing code base and fix bugs as necessary
Requirements and Skills
- Extensive C++ programming skills with an in depth understanding of object oriented design and programming
- Strong understanding of software engineering principles such as coupling and cohesion
- Experience implementing audio-related game features that interact with game systems
- Experience with existing audio engines such as the Miles Sound System, FMOD, etc...
- Experience with game development for PC and consoles
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively
- Excellent 3D math skills (especially linear algebra and vector math)
- Strong graphics background
- PS3, Xbox 360, PC or other related programming experience
- Good oral and written skills
- Experience with a shipped product from start to finish
Pluses
- Familiarity with automated build techniques, tools, scripts, and XML
- Distributed system development experience; understanding of client/server model
Required Experience/Education
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science of equivalent
- 4+ years' experience
Email your resume or contact us about this position here: jobs@naughtydog.com
Tools Programmer - ICE
What is the ICE Team?
Naughty Dog is home to the ICE Team, one of Sony’s World Wide Studios central technology groups. The ICE Team focuses on creating core graphics technologies for Sony’s worldwide first party published titles, including low level game engine components, graphics processing pipelines, supporting tools, and graphics profiling and debugging tools.
The ICE Team also supports third party developers with a suite of engine components (PlayStation®Edge), and our graphics analysis, profiling, and debugging tool (PlayStation®3 GPAD) for the RSX™. Both enable developers to get better performance out of the PlayStation®3.
Responsibilities
- Work with other engineers to design new UI for a graphics performance analysis tool
- Develop, maintain, and improve new and existing WPF UI code
- Continuously improve the user experience and performance of the tool based on internal and external feedback
Requirements and Skills
- Self-motivated individual with excellent problem solving skills
- Extensive experience with C++, C#, and WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation)
- Familiarity with OpenGL, DirectX, or other rendering API
- B.S. in Computer Science and/or equivalent work experience
- Decent 3D math skills (especially linear algebra and vector math)
- Familiarity with console or PC video game programming *Preferred*
- Shipped a commercial tool running on Windows platforms *Preferred*
- GUI art/design skills *Preferred*
Email your resume or contact us about this position here: jobs@naughtydog.com
Game Designer (Co-Op)
Responsibilities
- Co-op AI & encounter design - designing and
scripting co-op combat encounters, AI behavior design, and difficulty balancing - Co-op system design - creating mechanics, game
modes, progression systems, reward structures, social features, etc. to serve
the co-op experience. Creating and iterating gameplay designs with the
team, and working in script to implement and/or tune them - Being a producer for your levels and gameplay
designs - collaborating across disciplines to get work done and clear
dependencies, ensuring deadlines are met, and championing the gameplay
Requirements & Skills
- Experience designing levels for single player for
co-op console games - Good working knowledge of Maya, 3DS Max or
similar 3D package - Minimum 3 to 5 years of games industry experience
- Strong understanding of co-op level design and
encounter design - Strong understanding of co-op gameplay mechanics
- A strong passion to innovate in the area of co-op
design - Strong methodology and problem solving ability
and with a focus on creative, fun and innovative solutions - Strong and effective communication skills
- Exceptional team player with the ability to
collaborate without losing sight of the gameplay vision - Experience playing 3rd person action games
- Experience in developing third-person action
games a bonus - Experience in scripting for action games a bonus
Email your resume or contact us about this position here: jobs@naughtydog.com
Character TD/Rigger
Responsibilities
- Design, create, test and maintain character rigs/setups
- Work with the modelers to create a model that meets technical needs
- Collaborate with animators to design motion controls
- Develop and maintain character motion and deformation systems
- Develop secondary dynamics systems
- Develop new techniques and processes to solve character production challenges
- Capable of writing pipeline tools to streamline the setup process
- Work with production management to prioritize tasks
Requirements & Skills
- In depth knowledge of Maya, preferabley 3+ years of production experience. No cross training availabe due to the timeframe
- Strong understanding of both Figure and Facial Anatomy
- Complex character/vehicle rigging experience in Maya in film/broadcast or games environments
- MEL, Python
- Experience with setting up production pipelines while being able to follow guidelines
- The ability to support himself and take initiative
Bonus Skills
- C++ experience
Email your resume or contact us about this position here: jobs@naughtydog.com
Game Designer
Responsibilities
- Responsible for the planning, level layout, setup and tuning of multi-player and single player levels, from high concept to object placement and scripting
- Responsible for designing and producing engaging and fun third-person action gameplay and levels
- Act as producer for levels you design, as well as other parts of the game, collaborating across disciplines to get work done and clear dependencies, ensuring deadlines are met, and championing aspects of the gameplay
- Work directly with artists, programmers, animators and other game designers to contribute to the vision of the game
- Responsible for level layout by creating simplified level geometry and performing extensive play-testing and iteration
- Work with programmers to develop tools on an ongoing basis
Requirements & Skills
- Experience designing single-player levels for console games
- Minimum 3 to 5 years of games industry experience
- Strong methodology and problem solving ability and with a focus on creative, fun and innovative solutions
- Strong and effective communication skills
- Exceptional team player with the ability to collaborate without losing sight of the gameplay vision
- Willingness to take design direction when offered
- Experience playing 3rd person action games
- Very good working knowledge of Maya, 3DS Max or similar 3D package
- Experience of developing third-person action games a bonus
- Experience of scripting set-up for action games a bonus
- Desire to be a part of the Naughty Dog team
Email your resume or contact us about this position here: jobs@naughtydog.com
Web Designer
Naughty Dog is seeking an experienced Web Designer to join our award-winning team in Santa Monica, CA. You will be responsible for drawing concepts and wire framing our website layouts, creating the art assets and graphics for web and aspects of digital advertising, as well as helping develop and maintain an overall brand aesthetic for our company and our brands. Above all, we’re looking for someone who will design and guide the end-users through an online experience that is as intuitive as it is evocative and is highly functional at retaining end-user attention. Working in our web and community team, you will concept, create and maintain the online presence of Naughty Dog and its intellectual properties.
Responsibilities
- Design wireframes for website layout and user flow
- Create, develop and maintain all required art assets (call outs, icons, etc.)
- Rapidly iterate and develop solutions to online challenges while following game and art direction
- Establish web design workflow and drive best practices with an eye toward consistent design patterns, localization, and ease of maintenance.
Requirements
- Experience creating both large and small scale interactive and/or web projects including web applications and creative advertising campaigns (mobile, digital, social, experiential marketing)
- Excellent and proven graphic and information design background
- Strong usability design/test experience
- In-depth understanding of how the interactive medium is consumed and used by the general population
- Excellent, self-motivated communicator and collaborator who loves to work with strategists, programmers, designers, and other artists
- Expert with standard art tools of the trade (Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe CS)
- Strong analytic abilities. This position requires the ability to evaluate complex technical and user requirements to create practical solutions
- Burning desire to break the mold to push interfaces and web design in innovative directions
- Preferred: BS/MS/BFA/MFA preferred in a design or UX discipline (industrial, information architecture, interaction design, graphics) or demonstrated proficiency and experience in the field of software user experience/interaction design
- Preferred: 3+ years of experience with user interface design for video games, especially console titles
- Ability to prototype in Flash, After Effects, and/or HTML5 is a plus
- Submission of portfolio with previous web design work mandatory
Email your resume or contact us about this position here: jobs@naughtydog.com
Marketing Artist
Responsibilities
- Transfer key marketing messages through high definition images
- Create high quality images for magazines and game cover
- Develop 2D images and retouch 3D images
Requirements and Skills
- Foundation in the traditional arts
- Experience with Maya
- Excellent knowledge of Photoshop
- Knows how to sketch and present ideas
- Excel in the composition of scenes and images
- Deadline oriented- being able to manage and organize work so he meets all the deadlines and is able to adjust when changes happen.
- An exceptional understanding of form, shape, structure, and silhouette in regard to modeling
- Self-motivated- requires minimal direction, can carry on the vision for the level until completion and commit to deadlines.
- Good communication skills – able to help others and ask for help when needed. Being proactive in sharing info and assets
- Great team-player attitude - being flexible with new ideas, being open to direction and changes
- Excellent eye for light, shade, and color
Email your resume or contact us about this position here: jobs@naughtydog.com
Lighting Artist
Responsibilities
- Develop the lighting scheme, color-palette, post-processing-fx, and general visual mood that turns unlit 3-D environment models into awesome looking and visually compelling 3D game environments
- Work with modelers and texture/shader artists to optimize the visual look and run-time performance of the Environments
Requirements and Skills
- Proven industry experience in Film or Games generating final picture
- General competency in Autodesk Maya and knowledge of Global Illumination
- Excellent problem solving skills and the ability to work with minimal supervision
- Thorough understanding of direct/indirect light, luminance/exposure and color-theory
- Some experience with generating light-maps, pre-lighting or baked lighting is desired
Email your resume or contact us about this position here: jobs@naughtydog.com
Graphics Programmer - ICE
What is the ICE Team?
Naughty Dog is home to the ICE Team, one of Sony’s World Wide Studios central technology groups. The ICE Team focuses on creating core graphics technologies for Sony’s worldwide first party published titles, including low level game engine components, graphics processing pipelines, supporting tools, and graphics profiling and debugging tools.
The ICE Team also supports third party developers with a suite of engine components (PlayStation®Edge), and our graphics analysis, profiling, and debugging tool (PlayStation®3 GPAD) for the RSX™. Both enable developers to get better performance out of the PlayStation®3.
Responsibilities
- Design and program low level graphics engine components to be used by development teams around the world
- Create clean, efficient, and well tested code
- Support development teams across the world
- Collaborate with our sister technology groups on global projects
- Write high quality user documentation
Requirements and Skills
- Excellent 3D math skills (linear algebra, vector math)
- Strong graphics background
- Strong knowledge of C and C++ programming languages
- Strong knowledge of industry standard graphics APIs (DirectX, OpenGL, libGCM)
- Console programming experience
- Desire to understand hardware at a low level
- Good oral and written skills
- Knowledge of shader programming languages (HLSL/Cg) *Preferred*
- Self-motivated individual with excellent problem solving skills
- Understanding of procedural, object oriented, and aspect oriented programming paradigms
- B.S. in Computer Science and/or Mathematics or equivalent work experience
Email your resume or contact us about this position here: jobs@naughtydog.com
Graphics Programmer
Responsibilities
- Create clean, efficient, and well tested code
- Working on core functionality of our graphics performance, analysis, and debugging tool for use with the PlayStation 3 (GPAD)
- Analyzing, organizing, and optimizing code
Requirements and Skills
- Strong 3D math and graphics background
- Strong knowledge of C and C++ programming languages
- C# .NET (C++/CLI a bonus)
- HLSL/CG
- Networking
- Self-motivated individual with excellent problem solving skills
- Good oral and written skills
- Excellent 3D Math Skills (linear algebra, vector math)
- Experience with PS3 development
- Understanding of procedural, object oriented, and aspect oriented programming paradigms
- Console programming experience
- B.S. in Computer Science and/or Mathematics or equivalent work experience
Email your resume or contact us about this position here: jobs@naughtydog.com
Environment Texture Artist
Responsibilities
- Develop textures for in-game environments including color maps, normal maps, speck maps, height maps, AO maps, detail maps and transparency maps
- Work with the graphics programmers to support the development of new shaders and looks
- Follow the established style set forward by the provided concept art and maintain visual consistency
- Collaborate with the tools team in order to communicate needs, generate tool requests and initiate support designed to facilitate the artists’ workflow
- Create simple as well as complex shaders
- Collaborate with 3D modelers and game designers to create levels
- UV map textures to polygonal surfaces
Requirements and Skills
- Great traditional drawing/painting skills
- A strong understanding of UV layout and texturing for games
- Proficient at texturing surface details and material effects on a wide variety of subject matter
- Excellent eye for filling in missing detail from concept art, and extracting key features from real world reference
- Comfortable with minimal direction and be flexible with realistic rendering styles
- Experience with shader networks
- Strong Maya skills
- Ability to sculpt and paint highly detailed 3D and 2D images
- Ability to troubleshoot and adapt to new technologies/software quickly
- Obsessive attention to detail
Email your resume or contact us about this position here: jobs@naughtydog.com
