Naughty Dog | Senior 3D Technical Gameplay Animator, CA
Naughty Dog is seeking a visionary and highly skilled Senior Technical Gameplay Animator to bridge the gap between creative artistry and advanced engineering. In this specialized role, you will be responsible for designing, implementing, and troubleshooting complex, high-fidelity runtime animation systems and dynamic character behaviors that form the backbone of our gameplay experiences. This is not a character rigging position; rather, it is a role designed for an expert animator who possesses deep technical programming or scripting capabilities. Operating from our studio in Santa Monica, California, under a hybrid or onsite arrangement, you will collaborate closely with Animation, Design, and Gameplay Engineering teams. Your goal will be to pioneer next-generation animation pipelines, build cutting-edge runtime tools (such as advanced state machines and blend trees), and author high-quality animation content to test and prove these systems in-engine. As a senior member of the “Kennel,” you will take full ownership of complex technical initiatives, mentor peers, and directly influence the cinematic gameplay standards of our upcoming title, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Job Overview : Senior Technical Gameplay Animator Attribute Details Job Title Senior Technical Gameplay Animator Company Naughty Dog (Sony Interactive Entertainment) Location Santa Monica, California, USA Work Arrangement Hybrid / Onsite Experience Level Senior (5+ Years of Industry Experience) Core Technical Stack Python, C#, C++, Maya, MotionBuilder Specialization Runtime Animation Systems, State Machines, Blend Trees, IK Solvers Key Projects Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet (and legacy support for The Last of Us franchise) Compensation $126,400 – $227,500 USD Base + Annual Bonus & Sony Benefits Welcome to Naughty Dog For nearly 40 years, Naughty Dog has been crafting best-selling, critically acclaimed video games that consistently shatter the boundaries of narrative depth, gameplay design, and graphical technology. Our studio is widely lauded for creating evocative, character-driven stories defined by an uncompromising attention to detail. From the sweeping, cinematic survival-horror of The Last of Us franchise—which recently expanded its reach with The Last of Us Part II Remastered on PS5 and groundbreaking PC releases for both Part I and Part II—to our rich history of genre-defining action, we strive to make games that leave a lasting cultural impact. At Naughty Dog, we have curated a community of the top creative and technically innovative minds in the global interactive entertainment industry. We believe that a broad, diverse range of cultural and life experiences contributes fundamentally to the overall well-being of our studio and the ultimate success of our titles. We are heavily committed to continuous innovation, and we want talented individuals who share our passion for storytelling and technical excellence to join us at the kennel as we develop our highly anticipated new project, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Position Purpose & Detailed Scope The boundary between real-time gameplay and cinematic narrative continues to blur, demanding animation systems that are incredibly responsive to player input while maintaining flawless physical realism. The Senior Technical Gameplay Animator is the linchpin of this ecosystem. This role requires a rare combination of skills: the artistic eye of a world-class animator and the logical mindset of a software developer. You will not merely consume tools provided by engineers; you will actively participate in defining how those tools are architected. By mastering in-engine systems like state machines, blend trees, parametric blending, and complex inverse kinematics (IK) solvers, you will transform raw motion-capture data and hand-keyed animation into living, breathing character systems that react organically to changing virtual environments. Key Responsibilities 1. System Design & Pipeline Innovation 2. Implementation, Content Creation & Troubleshooting 3. Leadership, Quality Bar & Knowledge Management About You (Selection Criteria) To excel in this role, you must be a proactive, communicative problem-solver who enjoys working at the cutting edge of real-time interactive technology. Experience & Artistry Technical Skill Matrix Compensation, Perks & Benefits Base Salary & Financial Packages The estimated base salary range for this position in the Los Angeles area is $126,400 to $227,500 USD. At Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), several key factors are evaluated when establishing individual compensation packages. The finalized offer is dependent on job-related parameters, including the candidate’s deep domain knowledge, specific technical skill sets, years of relevant experience, production track record, and alignment with our hybrid working policies. This role may also be eligible for comprehensive additional compensation rewards, including an annual performance bonus and other long-term studio incentive plans. Top-Tier Corporate Benefits Naughty Dog employees have access to Sony Interactive Entertainment’s premium, competitive benefits package, designed to support long-term physical, mental, and financial well-being: Equal Opportunity & Background Checks Naughty Dog and Sony Interactive Entertainment are proud to be Equal Opportunity Employers. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive, safe, and collaborative work environment where all individuals are welcome, respected, and empowered. Please note: Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts thorough background checks at the offer stage for all prospective employees in accordance with local legal frameworks (which may include criminal history reviews for certain positions) to ensure studio safety and protect proprietary internal technologies. All personal information collected during this process is securely handled in compliance with our Candidate Privacy Notice. 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