Game Designer, Technical (Contingent)
NaughtydogRole Overview
Naughtydog is hiring a mid-level Game Designer, Technical (Contingent). This is a full-time hybrid role, based in United States, Santa Monica. posted 3 days ago. Full responsibilities, required qualifications, and the apply link are listed in the description below.
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Job description
This position is for temporary engagement through our staffing partner, Yoh Enterprise Solutions. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States for this position.
This is a hybrid / onsite position.
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.
What you will do:
- Prototyping, implementing, and owning gameplay scenarios, narrative sequences, interactive objects, AI behaviors, and other mechanics and systems.
- Communicating with animation, programming, and art departments to effectively produce the assets and code support required for the areas you’re owning.
- Collaborating closely with lead designers and directors to effectively act on feedback and quickly iterate.
What skills will you use:
- 2+ years of industry experience in Technical Design for games
- Strong programming ability (Computer Science undergraduate degree
- preferred)
- Understanding of narrative principles and how to convey emotion through gameplay
- Proficiency in 3D math
- Fluent in C++, C#, Lua, or other text-based scripting language
- Self-starter with excellent communication and teamwork skills
Bonus Skills
- Experience developing third-person action games
- Experience making improvements to tools and workflows
- Experience with the following areas of design
- Behavior Trees
- Melee
- Combat Systems
- Enemy & boss design
Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.
We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees, and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.
#LI-SP3
At SIE, working with our partners, 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 individual base pay range may vary based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.
In addition, this role is eligible for benefit offerings that include medical, dental, and vision. Click here to learn more.
Please note, Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles) and will need to process personal information to support these checks.
Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice for more information about what personal information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and your data protection rights.
About Naughtydog
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for the Game Designer, Technical (Contingent) position at Naughtydog?
Use the Apply button above to submit your application directly to Naughtydog. Most applications take less than 5 minutes if your resume and contact details are ready, and you'll be routed to the employer's official application system to finish.
Is the Game Designer, Technical (Contingent) role at Naughtydog remote or in-office?
This is a hybrid role based in United States, Santa Monica. Expect a mix of in-office and remote days, with the specific cadence set by the hiring manager.
What does a Game Designer, Technical (Contingent) at Naughtydog earn?
Naughtydog has not disclosed a salary range in this posting. Many employers share specifics later in the interview process; you can also ask during a recruiter screen if compensation transparency is important to you.
When was the Game Designer, Technical (Contingent) role at Naughtydog posted?
This role was posted on July 9, 2026 (3 days ago). It's still listed as actively hiring; we re-confirm openings against the source system multiple times per day and remove closed roles.
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