Senior Gameplay Animator Job at Naughty Dog (Santa Monica)

Senior Gameplay Animator

Naughty Dog

Location:
United States , Santa Monica

Category:
IT - Software Development

Contract Type:
Not provided

Salary:

139000.00 - 173800.00 USD / Year

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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 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 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'd love to find an experienced gameplay animator to join us!

Job Responsibility:

Create high-quality animation content in Maya and ensure proper implementation in our game engine
Serve as a positive role model through exemplary demeanor, ability, proactivity, communication, and productivity
Collaborate with the Animation, Design, and Engineering teams to create new exciting, mind-blowing systemic animations
Take ownership of challenging projects and provide innovative solutions, including mentoring team members and creating documentation
Direct and participate in motion capture shoots
Learn and master Naughty Dog’s unique gameplay systems
Work with game systems, adhering to efficient and effective practices
Utilize engine debug tools to identify and resolve gameplay issues in collaboration with designers and programmers
Partner with animation leadership to define and uphold the style and quality bar for in-game animations
Provide constructive feedback to improve internal technologies and artistic workflows
Take on additional responsibilities as needed

Requirements:

Minimum of 1 shipped AAA game as a Senior Gameplay Animator (or equivalent)
Minimum of 5 years of experience in the video game industry
Expertise in systemic gameplay animation
Mastery of both motion capture and keyframe character animation as showcased by your strong animation reel
General technical knowledge of animation technologies, including state machines, blend trees, and motion matching
Passion for gaming and a deep understanding of game design principles and player experience
Ability to provide clear and constructive feedback to peers
Proven experience planning, setting up, and directing motion capture shoots independently and efficiently
Must be comfortable using a script editor
Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt quickly to challenges
Highly motivated, proactive, and solution-oriented, with a 'can-do' attitude
A natural team player who fosters collaboration and inspires others across departments
Strong communication skills, ensuring clear and proactive interaction with animation and other teams
Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks, manage shifting priorities, and keep stakeholders informed
Proactive in taking ownership of assignments and identifying new opportunities to support the team and company goals
Proficient with Maya/MotionBuilder animation tools, including layers, time/trax editor, and mocap tools

Nice to have:

Experience developing animation tools is a plus
Character rigging experience is a plus
Experience setting up in-game physics assets is a plus

Additional Information:

Job Posted:
January 02, 2026

Employment Type:

Fulltime

Work Type:

Hybrid work

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