Senior Technical Designer
- Pay
- $145,100 – $181,400 per year
- Location
- Santa Monica, CA · Hybrid
- Job type
- Full-time
- Level
- Senior
- Experience
- 5+ years
- Listed
- 30 days ago
Skills & highlights for this role
- 3D math
- C++
- C#
- Lua
- narrative gameplay design
Also useful
- behavior trees
- encounter design
- third-person action games
Why Sony Interactive Entertainment?
Sony Interactive Entertainment isn't just the Best Place to Play - it's also the Best Place to Work. Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is the company behind the PlayStation brand. As a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, we're part of a proud legacy of innovation and excellence.
SIE is a dynamic technology company, delivering cutting-edge hardware and network services to more than 100 million people and an entertainment leader, home to some of the most beloved and recognizable intellectual properties (IP) in the world. Our role at SIE is to create and nurture the experiences under the PlayStation brand, a name synonymous with entertainment excellence and creativity.
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 Parts I and 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.
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.
- Fostering team cohesion, advising design leadership regarding communication breakdowns and personality conflicts.
- Working with minimal supervision while keeping lead designers and directors well-informed.
What skills you will use
- 5+ years of industry experience in Technical Design for games
- 2+ shipped games
- Significant programming ability (Computer Science undergraduate degree preferred)
- Deep understanding of narrative principles and how to convey emotion through gameplay
- Expertise in 3D math
- Fluent in C++, C#, Lua, or other text-based scripting language
- Ability to identify and act on opportunities for improvements to tools and workflows that can help the team be more efficient
- Self-starter with excellent communication and teamwork skills
Bonus Skills
- Experience developing third-person action games
- Experience with the following areas of design
- Behavior Trees
- Narrative Gameplay Sequences
- Encounter Design
#LI-SP3
Pay and benefits
The estimated USA base pay range for this zone (Los Angeles area) is listed below. This role may be eligible for additional compensation packages that includes annual bonus and other incentive plans.
$145,100—$181,400 USD
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.
Equal opportunity and legal notices
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 colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, 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.
Sony Interactive Entertainment is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.
From PlayStation's careers page, first listed on Rolev.ai on October 10, 2026. Rolev.ai is not the employer.
How Rolev.ai helps with this application
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Common questions
What is the salary for the Senior Technical Designer role at PlayStation?
The Senior Technical Designer posting at PlayStation states compensation of $145,100 – $181,400 per year. It is listed as a full-time position. Final pay may depend on location, experience, and interview evaluation on PlayStation's official career site.
Where is the Senior Technical Designer job at PlayStation located?
This Senior Technical Designer position at PlayStation is located in Santa Monica, CA (Hybrid). Always check PlayStation's application page for specific state eligibility or relocation policies.
What qualifications are required for Senior Technical Designer at PlayStation?
For the Senior Technical Designer role, PlayStation highlights 5+ years of relevant experience; experience with 3D math, C++, C#, Lua, narrative gameplay design. Rolev.ai can score your existing resume against these requirements and show any skill gaps before you apply.
How do I apply for the Senior Technical Designer position at PlayStation?
This listing links directly to PlayStation's Greenhouse application page. You can apply directly on PlayStation's site, or use Rolev.ai to check your resume fit, generate a zero-hallucination tailored resume and cover letter for this posting, and autofill the Greenhouse application form in 1 click with the Rolev.ai Chrome extension. You always review the form and press Submit yourself.