senior technical gameplay animator jobs Overview

• Company: Naughty Dog (Sony Interactive Entertainment)
• Location: Los Angeles, CA (Hybrid / Onsite)
• Project: Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet
• Experience Level: Senior (5+ years)
• Compensation: $126,400 — $227,500 USD (plus bonus and benefits)

Join the “Naughty Dog” at one of the world’s most prestigious game development studios. Naughty Dog is currently seeking a Senior Technical Gameplay Animator jobs to help shape the future of interactive narrative and character-driven action. This is a pivotal role within our Santa Monica studio, focusing on our highly anticipated new IP, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.

As a Senior Technical Gameplay Animator Jobs, you will bridge the gap between artistic vision and technical execution. You will be responsible for the “feel” of our characters, ensuring that every movement is fluid, responsive, and grounded in the evocative realism that defines our studio’s legacy.

About Naughty Dog

For nearly 40 years, Naughty Dog has been a beacon of innovation in the gaming industry. From the whimsical worlds of Crash Bandicoot and Jak and Daxter to the cinematic intensity of Uncharted and the profound emotional depth of The Last of Us, our studio has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible.

Naughty Dog are a studio that values attention to detail, emotional resonance, and technical mastery. Our culture is built on the belief that diverse perspectives lead to better games. We invite creators from all walks of life to help us craft the next generation of masterpieces.

Currently, our primary focus is the development of Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, a bold new sci-fi epic. This project represents our most ambitious undertaking to date, featuring a lone bounty hunter, Jordan A. Mun, stranded on the mysterious planet of Sempiria.

What You Will Do: Responsibilities & Impact

In this role, you aren’t just moving bones in a rig; you are architecting the soul of character movement. Your work ensures that the player feels a direct, seamless connection to the protagonist.

1. System Architecture & Tooling

• Innovate Implementation: Facilitate the creation and deployment of advanced tools and techniques to build complex, high-quality animation systems.
• Workflow Optimization: Constantly evaluate the animation pipeline to identify bottlenecks. You will innovate and streamline processes to ensure the team can work at the highest level of efficiency without sacrificing quality.
• Strategic Growth: Contribute to the long-term development of internal technologies, ensuring Naughty Dog remains at the cutting edge of the industry.

2. Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration

• The “Glue” Role: Act as the primary technical bridge between Animation, Game Design, and Engineering.
• Troubleshooting: Analyze and resolve complex in-game implementation issues. When a behavior doesn’t look right or a transition is jarring, you are the one who finds the solution.
• Defining Style: Work alongside animation leadership to define and maintain the “quality bar.” You will help ensure the animation style remains consistent across all gameplay systems.

3. Hands-On Animation & Mentorship

• Content Creation: Create and implement high-quality animation content in-engine to support newly developed gameplay behaviors.
• Project Ownership: Take the lead on challenging technical projects, seeing them from concept to final polish.
• Mentorship: Share your expertise with junior and mid-level team members. You will be responsible for creating technical documentation and guiding others through complex workflows.

Skills & Requirements

Naughty Dog are looking for a veteran who possesses both the artistic eye of an animator and the logical mind of a programmer.

• Experience: A minimum of 5+ years of professional experience in technical animation specifically for the gaming industry.
• Technical Proficiency: Strong programming skills are required. You should be proficient in Python, C#, or C++.
• Engine Mastery: A deep understanding of modern in-game animation tools is essential. This includes State Machines, Blend Trees, IK Solvers, and Procedural Systems.
• DCC Expertise: Expert-level knowledge of Maya or Motionbuilder. You should be comfortable working with both motion capture data and keyframe-based pipelines.
• Portfolio: A proven track record of creating visually stunning, responsive animations. A demo reel or portfolio is required for all applicants.

Benefits & Compensation

As a part of the Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) family, Naughty Dog offers a “top-tier” benefits package designed to support your life both inside and outside the kennel.

Financial & Security

• Annual Bonus: Eligible for performance-based annual bonuses and incentive plans.
• 401(k) Matching: Comprehensive retirement savings with a company match.
• Insurance: Top-tier Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage.
• Life & Disability: Standard life insurance and disability protection.

Wellness & Lifestyle

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday schedules.

• Wellness Program: Dedicated programs to support physical and mental health.

• Sony Discounts: Enjoy coveted employee discounts on Sony hardware, electronics, and PlayStation products.

• Hybrid Flexibility: A modern approach to work-life balance through our hybrid working policy.

The Project: Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet

Working on this title offers a unique challenge. Unlike the grounded, contemporary settings of our recent work, Intergalactic takes us thousands of years into the future.

• The Setting: Sempiria, a planet cut off from the rest of the universe for over 600 years.
• The Themes: A deep exploration of faith, religion, and the isolation of being alone in a hostile, alien world.
• The Music: Scored by Academy Award-winning composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.

As a Technical Gameplay Animator, you will be instrumental in bringing the unique biology and physics of this sci-fi world to life. Whether it’s the way Jordan’s suit reacts to Sempiria’s atmosphere or the visceral feel of melee combat against unknown threats, your fingerprints will be on every frame.

How to Apply

Naughty Dog is a studio that values the “test.” Candidates should be prepared for the following:

1. Portfolio Submission: A reel demonstrating technical animation setups and in-game implementation.
2. Technical Animation Test: You may be asked to complete a specific task to demonstrate your proficiency with our required toolsets.
3. Interview Rounds: Discussions with Animation, Engineering, and Design leads.

Naughty Dog is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.