Senior Technical Gameplay Animator

NAUGHTY DOG, LLC; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 126,400 - 227,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Wellness program

Employee discounts for Sony products

Job summary

A leading game development studio in Santa Monica is seeking a skilled Technical Animator. The role involves creating high-quality animation systems and improving animation workflows. Candidates should have over 5 years of experience in technical animation for games, proficiency in programming languages like Python and C#, and expertise using tools like Maya. This position offers competitive compensation and additional benefits including medical, dental, and paid time off.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of industry experience in technical animation for games.
• Proficiency in Python, C#, C++ or other programming languages is required.
• Full understanding of in-game animation tools like state machines, blend trees, IK solvers, etc.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate the creation and implementation of high-quality animation systems.
• Innovate animation pipeline processes and workflows.
• Collaborate with teams to troubleshoot and resolve animation-related challenges.

Skills

Technical animation for games

Proficiency in Python

Proficiency in C#

Proficiency in C++

Understanding of in-game animation tools

Expertise with mocap and keyframe

Track record of creating visually stunning animations

Proactive contribution to team progress

Tools

Maya

Motionbuilder

Job description

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 Part I and Part II are now available for the first time on PC. Currently, we’re busy at the kennel working on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, 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.

What you will do

• Facilitate the creation and implementation of tools and techniques that allow the building of complex and high-quality animation systems
• Innovate and streamline animation pipeline processes and workflows
• Collaborate with the Animation, Design, and Engineering teams to analyze, troubleshoot, and resolve in-game animation implementation issues and animation-related technical challenges
• Create high quality animation content supporting the newly developed behaviors and systems and implement it in engine
• Work with the animation leadership on defining and maintaining the style and quality bar of the in-game animation
• Take ownership of challenging projects and provide innovative solutions, including mentoring team members and creating documentation
• Contribute to the strategic development of internal technologies and artistic processes

What skills you will use

• 5+ years of industry experience in technical animation for games
• Proficiency in Python, C#, C++ or other programming languages is required
• Full understanding of in-game animation tools like state machines, blend trees, IK solvers, etc.
• Expertise with mocap and keyframe based digital content creation pipelines built on Maya or Motionbuilder
• Proven track record of creating visually stunning animations for diverse game genres
• Proactively contributes to the progress of the team and the project

As a 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.

#LI-SP3

The estimated USA base pay range for this zone (Los Angeles area) is listed below. This role may be eligible for additional compensation packages that include annual bonus and other incentive plans.

Benefits

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.

$126,400 — $227,500 USD

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