Associate Game Designer, Technical (C++)

Location: Hybrid/onsite in Santa Monica, United States. Authorization to work in the United States is required.

Base pay: $37–$50 USD per hour

Company

Naughty Dog is a game development studio known for narrative-driven, technically innovative titles including The Last of Us series.

What you will do

• Prototype, implement, and own gameplay scenarios, narrative sequences, interactive objects, and AI behaviors.
• Conceptualize, prototype, implement, tune, and balance gameplay mechanics and systems.
• Collaborate with design, animation, programming, and art departments to produce required assets and code support.
• Iterate rapidly and polish gameplay work to a high production standard.

Requirements

• Significant programming ability; a Computer Science undergraduate degree is preferred.
• Knowledge of 3D mathematics.
• Experience with C++, C#, Lua, or another scripting language.
• Broad understanding of the gaming landscape.
• Self-motivation, strong communication, teamwork, and willingness to take design direction and iterate on creative solutions.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Nice to have

• Experience developing third-person action games or working with 3D level editors.
• Understanding of narrative principles and conveying emotion through gameplay.
• Experience with behavior trees, melee, combat systems, character animation, or enemy and boss design.

Culture & Benefits

• Temporary engagement through staffing partner Yoh Enterprise Solutions.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits are available.
• Work takes place in a hybrid/onsite studio environment.

Hiring process

• Technical interview.
• Background checks are conducted at the offer stage.