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Join to apply for the Senior Gameplay Animator role at Naughty Dog.

Ability to work hybrid from our Santa Monica, CA 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. Recent releases include The Last of Us Part II Remastered and a current generation remake of The Last of Us Part I for PS5. The studio also announced that The Last of Us Parts I & II are now available on PC. Currently, we’re working on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, and we’re looking for talented individuals to join us.

Naughty Dog games are known for their evocative, character-driven stories and meticulous attention to detail. We are committed to innovation and have assembled some of the top creative and technical minds in the industry. We welcome diverse candidates, believing that a broad range of cultural and life experiences contribute to our success. We are seeking an experienced gameplay animator to join our team.

What You’ll Do

• Create high-quality animation content in Maya and ensure proper implementation in our game engine.
• Serve as a positive role model through exemplary demeanor, communication, and productivity.
• Collaborate with Animation, Design, and Engineering teams to create exciting systemic animations.
• Take ownership of challenging projects, provide innovative solutions, mentor team members, and create documentation.
• Direct and participate in motion capture shoots.
• Learn and master Naughty Dog’s gameplay systems.
• Work with game systems, adhering to best practices.
• Use engine debug tools to identify and resolve gameplay issues in collaboration with designers and programmers.
• Partner with animation leadership to define and uphold style and quality standards.
• Provide constructive feedback to improve technologies and workflows.
• Handle additional responsibilities as needed.

What Skills You Will Use

• Minimum of 1 shipped AAA game as a Senior Gameplay Animator or equivalent.
• At least 5 years of experience in the video game industry.
• Expertise in systemic gameplay animation.
• Mastery of motion capture and keyframe animation, demonstrated by a strong reel.
• Technical knowledge of animation technologies, including state machines, blend trees, and motion matching.
• Passion for gaming and understanding of game design principles.
• Ability to give clear, constructive feedback.
• Experience planning and directing motion capture shoots independently.
• Comfort with scripting tools.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and adaptability.
• Motivated, proactive, and solution-oriented attitude.
• Strong team collaboration and communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage shifting priorities.
• Ownership of assignments and initiative to support team and company goals.
• Proficiency with Maya/MotionBuilder, including layers, editors, and mocap tools.

Bonus Skills

• Experience developing animation tools.
• Character rigging experience.
• Experience setting up in-game physics assets.

Applicants will be asked to provide a portfolio or demo reel and may complete an animation test.

Our privacy notice details how we handle your data. Compensation is based on market data, experience, and location, with a range of $139,000—$173,800 USD. The role offers comprehensive benefits, potential bonuses, and is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement.