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Ability to work hybrid from our Santa Monica, CA based studio is required.

For nearly 40 years, Naughty Dog has been crafting best-selling, critically acclaimed games that constantly push the boundaries of narrative, gameplay, and technology. Naughty Dog recently released The Last of Us Part II Remastered as well as a current generation remake of The Last of Us Part I for the PS5. We're also proud to say that The Last of Us Parts I & II are now available for the first time on PC. Currently, we’re busy at the kennel working on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, and The Last of Us Part II Remastered for PC and we'd love to find talented individuals to join us.

Naughty Dog games have long been lauded for their evocative, character-driven stories and attention to detail. We are committed to innovation within our games and as such have curated some of the top creative and technically innovative minds in the industry. We welcome diverse candidates and believe that a broad range of cultural and life experiences contribute to the overall well-being and success of the studio and the titles we craft together.

We are looking for an expert gameplay animator to help us continue setting the standard of interactive animation for our latest project. If you are detail oriented, comfortable in the AAA game space and want to be part of groundbreaking visual quality and tech, you may just be the Dog we’re looking for!

What you will do:

  • Create high quality animation content in Maya and implement them correctly in our Naughty Dog engine

  • Conceptualize, collaborate, and prototype ideas through mood boards and investigative animations

  • Craft gameplay animations for a broad range of creatures of varied types to a high standard of realism for the game

  • Mentor and grow other animators’ abilities

  • Serve as a positive role model for the team to follow in demeanor, ability, proactivity, communication, and productivity within the department

  • Work closely with design and engineering to create new exciting, mind-blowing systemic animations

  • Be involved with directing motion capture shoots

  • Learn and understand how Naughty Dog gameplay systems work

  • Be able to work with any system using the most efficient practices

  • Use the engine debug tools to solve gameplay problems and work with designers and programmers to find a solution

  • Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed

What skills you will use:

  • Minimum of 1 shipped AAA game as a Senior Gameplay Animator (or equivalent)

  • Minimum of 5 years working in the video-games industry

  • Ability to produce very high-quality animation

  • Proficient command of weight, timing, and posing through both keyframing and the manipulation of motion capture data

  • Strong understanding of creature animation and mechanics

  • A strong grasp of physical motion, weight, balance, texture, and form

  • Experience with prototype/quick iteration environments

  • Efficiency and organization in workflow

  • Provide accurate and clear feedback for others

  • Passion for opening up the boundaries of interactive character animation

  • Ability to plan, setup, and direct motion capture shoots independently and efficiently

  • Good general technical knowledge of how games work

  • Must be comfortable using a script editor

  • Excellent problem solver / fire fighter

  • Highly motivated and proactive with a CAN-DO attitude

  • Inspire teamwork and collaboration across the department

  • Proactive communicator within animation and other departments

  • Take ownership of assignments and proactively identifies new tasks to tackle

  • Utilizing expert prioritization skills to finish tasks quickly and to let others know when priorities must change

  • Proactively finding useful things to work on to progress the company and team

  • Deep knowledge of Maya: layers, time/trax editor, mocap tools

  • In engine animation layering knowledge

  • Familiar with one of the modern animation systems: Unreal, Morpheme, Unity, etc.

Bonus skills:

  • Python knowledge

  • C, C#, or C++ knowledge

As part of the Naughty Dog application process, candidates will be expected to provide a portfolio or demo reel of their work and may be asked to complete an animation test.

Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice for more information about how we process your personal information, and your data protection rights.

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.

In addition, this role is eligible for SIE’s top-tier benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), paid time off, wellness program and coveted employee discounts for Sony products. This role also may be eligible for a bonus package. Click here to learn more.

The estimated base pay range for this role is listed below.

$139,000 — $173,800 USD