Game Designer - Level (Contingent)

This position is for a temporary engagement through our staffing partner DZConneX Services. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States for this position.

This hybrid role will be based in Santa Monica, CA.

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 a brand-new single player game that we're excited about, 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.

Naughty Dog is seeking a skilled Level Designer to help shape our game worlds. You'll be responsible for designing and modeling environmental layouts, scripting level progression, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to bring immersive spaces to life. With experience in level design, 3D software, and game editors, you'll play a crucial role in crafting the player experience. If you're eager to learn, grow, and contribute to our next big title, we'd love to hear from you!

What you will do:

• Design the layouts for your levels, blocking out simplified geometry to create engaging environments
• Develop level composition, architectural concepts, and create evocative shapes in collaboration with the art department
• Create scenarios, place game objects, and implement level progression using game editor tools
• Produce and maintain documentation that establishes the core concepts of your level
• Drive communication and collaboration for spaces you design as well as other parts of the game, ensuring communication across disciplines and meeting deadlines
• Coordinate playtesting, reviews, and iteration and ensuring levels meet technical specifications.
• Additional Responsibilities may be assigned as needed

What skills you will use:

• 3+ years of game industry experience in Level Design
• Experience blocking out environments for games using 3D software packages such as Maya, Unreal Editor or otherwise, that exemplify understanding of level design fundamentals
• Experience using a game editor such as Unreal Editor and scripting/programming using a language such as C#, Lua, Python, Visual Scripting
• Excitement for learning and growing as a designer. Keen to develop new skills
• Proficient and effective communication skills
• Welcomes criticism and has experience collaborating as part of a team, innovating without losing sight of the gameplay vision
• Maintains knowledge of the broader gaming landscape trends
• Problem-solving skills and a proactive attitude
• 1 shipped game at any company in any role

Bonus Skills:

• Experience working on action-adventure games, 3rd person or 1st person
• Understanding of narrative concepts and/or experience in writing, film, or theater
• Understanding of art composition, architectural concepts, and an ability to create evocative shapes

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. 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.

We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees, and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.

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.

The estimated base pay range for this role is listed below, this is an hourly rate.$51—$92 USD