Animation Assistant
Naughty Dog
CA$37 - CA$46 / hour
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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 based at our studio 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 and Part 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.
Are you ready to get your start in the animation production process of a cutting edge AAA title? The animation team behind The Last of Us Part II could use your assistance!
We are looking for an eager individual that will help assist our animation team with removing blocks from their path forward. The demands of such a complex project come with a lot of steps both big and small as part of the animation process. We need help removing as many steps as we can to help the team focus the on maintaining the highest visual quality.
What you will do:
- Prepare scenes and assets for animation and audio teams
- Work closely with animators to ensure standards of quality are met
- Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed
What skills you will use:
- Ability to learn quickly and adapt to our pipeline
- Some experience with Maya or equivalent 3D animation software
- Organized and methodical
- Proactive communicator
- Ability to work quickly and efficiently
- Trustworthy and dependable with a positive “can do” attitude
- Experience working in a team environment
- Production experience a plus
- Must be able to provide a demo reel or examples of work (Online preferred), a detailed breakdown of your contributions to each project, and an accompanying resume
As part of the Naughty Dog application process, candidates may be asked to complete an art test.
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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.
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Benefits
- health insurance
About this role
Naughty Dog's animation team is bringing in temporary support to help accelerate production on their current projects, including work tied to The Last of Us franchise. As an Animation Assistant, you'd handle scene and asset preparation, quality assurance coordination with animators, and other production tasks designed to clear obstacles so senior animators can focus on visual execution. This is a hybrid role based in Santa Monica, offering a direct entry point into AAA game animation production at a studio known for narrative-driven, technically sophisticated work.
The role calls for someone with foundational 3D software skills—Maya experience or equivalent—combined with the practical qualities that matter in a fast-paced studio: quick learning, organized workflow, clear communication, and genuine dependability. You'll need to demonstrate your capabilities with a demo reel or project examples and a detailed breakdown of your contributions, and be prepared for a potential art test as part of the evaluation. Production experience is a bonus but not required; what matters most is the ability to work efficiently within a team and adapt to Naughty Dog's pipeline.
The position is temporary and pays between $37.16 and $46.44 hourly, with standard benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage. You must be authorized to work in the United States. This suits someone looking to build real game industry experience at an established studio rather than seeking a permanent role.
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Pay for this role
$37 to $46 per hour
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