Naughty Dog

Senior Game Designer

Senior Communications Manager

Senior Game Designer at Naughty Dog will design high-quality level layouts, collaborate on architectural concepts, and create engaging environments using game editor tools.  Responsibilities include level composition, scenario creation, game object placement, implementing level progression, and maintaining documentation.  The role requires strong communication, collaboration, playtesting, and iteration skills.  Experience in action-adventure games, 3D software (Maya, Unreal Editor), scripting (C#, Lua, Python), and understanding of narrative concepts are crucial.  Candidates will also participate in extensive playtesting and reviews, ensuring seamless integration across disciplines.

<div class="left">
 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 Part I is 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.
In service of these goals, Naughty Dog is growing our design team!
What you will do:
<ul>
<li>Design high quality layouts for your levels, blocking out simplified geometry to create engaging environments</li>
<li>Develop level composition, architectural concepts, and create evocative shapes in collaboration with the art department</li>
<li>Create scenarios, place game objects, and implement level progression using game editor tools</li>
<li>Produce and maintain documentation that establishes the core concepts of your level</li>
<li>Drive communication and collaboration for spaces you design as well as other parts of the game, ensuring communication across disciplines and meeting deadlines</li>
<li>Effective and respectful communicator and collaborator, both with other designers and members of other departments</li>
<li>Coordinate extensive&nbsp;playtesting, reviews, and iteration&nbsp;</li>
<li>Additional Responsibilities may be assigned as needed</li>
</ul>
What skills you will use:
<ul>
<li>5 years of industry experience in Level Design for games</li>
<li>Experience blocking out environments for games using 3D software packages such as Maya, Unreal Editor or otherwise, that exemplify understanding of level design fundamentals</li>
<li>Experience using a game editor such as Unreal Editor and scripting/programming using a language such as C#, Lua, Python, Visual Scripting</li>
<li>Welcomes feedback on their work and embraces the “let’s try it” mentality.</li>
<li>Proficient and effective communication skills&nbsp;</li>
<li>Welcomes criticism and has experience collaborating as part of a team, innovating without losing sight of the gameplay vision&nbsp;</li>
<li>Understanding the single player gaming landscape&nbsp;</li>
<li>Maintains knowledge of the broader gaming landscape trends</li>
<li>Strong leadership and mentoring skills</li>
<li>Experience working on action-adventure games, 3rd person or 1st person</li>
<li>Understanding of narrative concepts and/or experience in writing, film, or theater</li>
<li>Understanding of art composition, architectural concepts, and an ability to create evocative shapes</li>
<li>2+ shipped games in the role</li>
</ul>
As a part of the Naughty Dog application process, candidates may be asked to complete a Level Design Test.
Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer.&nbsp; All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including color, nationality, ethnic, national origin), religion or belief, martial or civil partnership, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.&nbsp;
We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees, and embrace diversity.&nbsp; We encourage everyone to respond.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;<div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="description">&nbsp;Please refer to our&nbsp;&nbsp;for more information about how we process your personal information, and your data protection rights.
&nbsp;
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.&nbsp; 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&nbsp; to learn more.
&nbsp;</div><div class="title">The estimated base pay range for this role is listed below.</div><div class="pay-range">$143,700—$179,600 USD</div></div></div>
 
 </div>

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