Naughty Dog - Game Designer - Level (Contingent)

Game Designer is needed in Santa Monica, United States.

Client: Naughty Dog

Location: Santa Monica, CA

Contract: Full-time, Contractor

Job Description

Naughty Dog is seeking a skilled Level Designer to help shape our game worlds. You will be responsible for designing and modeling environmental layouts, scripting level progression, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to bring immersive spaces to life. This position is for a temporary engagement through our staffing partner DZConneX Services and is hybrid-based in Santa Monica, CA. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States for this position. With nearly 40 years in the industry, Naughty Dog is known for crafting critically acclaimed games that push the boundaries of narrative, gameplay, and technology. We invite those eager to learn and contribute to our next big title to apply.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• 3+ years of game industry experience in Level Design
• Experience blocking out environments for games using 3D software packages such as Maya or Unreal Editor, demonstrating understanding of level design fundamentals
• Experience using a game editor (e.g., Unreal Editor) and scripting/programming in languages such as C#, Lua, Python, or Visual Scripting
• Excitement for learning and growing as a designer
• Keen to develop new skills
• Effective communication skills
• Welcomes criticism and has experience collaborating in a team environment
• Maintains knowledge of broader gaming landscape trends
• Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive attitude
• At least 1 shipped game in any role at any company

Bonus Skills:

• Experience 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 and architectural concepts, with the ability to create evocative shapes

Responsibilities

As a Level Designer, you will:

• Design the layouts of levels, creating engaging environments through simplified geometry
• Develop level compositions, architectural concepts, and collaborate 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 levels
• Drive communication and collaboration across disciplines to meet deadlines
• Coordinate playtesting, reviews, and iterations to ensure levels meet technical specifications
• Perform additional responsibilities as needed

Additional Information

As part of the Naughty Dog application process, candidates may be asked to complete a Level Design Test. Naughty Dog is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply. The estimated base pay range for this role is $51—$92 USD per hour and includes benefits such as medical, dental, and vision.