Naughty Dog

Tools Programmer Positions

It used to be that writing tools for games was almost an afterthought. You just whipped up something to work, then got right back to writing the run-time code. Those days are long gone, and writing tools now requires a lot of clever planning and forethought. A single level in Jak & Daxter could contain millions of polygons, and who knows what will be the demands for future games. The Tools Programmer must face challenges of efficiently wrangling enormous amounts of data, as well as solving complex problems, the likes of which used to be in the realm of theoretical thesis papers, but now must be solved for practical application. Tools solutions require flexible data formats, database solutions/abstractions, distributive processing, clever algorithms, and the experience to avoid major pitfalls that can cause lost productivity due to slow processing times or difficult to use tools.

Senior/Lead Tools Programmer

We're looking for someone who can help architect our Tools Pipeline to support the every increasing demands of creating complexly detailed environments and characters. We need someone who is clever, familiar with various concepts of generic programming, and preferably has experience with databases, such as MySQL, as well as experience with distributing processing over multiple machines. Actual video game experience is not an absolute requirement, but is a definite plus. Strong 3D math skills and networking experience are also advantages. Must have at least 3 years of professional work experience, and must have 5+ years of C++ programming experience. Only very experienced and talented programmers need apply for this position.

Senior Tools Programmer

Do you enjoy creating tools and/or plug-ins? Are you good at getting a job done either "quick and dirty" or "elegant and clean" as the situation demands? Does your significant other get bored because all you want to talk about is the latest trick you learned to do with your Linux shell? Are you bewildered that more people aren't excited about your ability to run Windows in emulation on your Linux box? Can you decipher 3rd party API's? Do you enjoy working with others to solve problems? You must have at least 5 years of C++ programming experience. Strong 3D math skills, networking experience, video game experience, distributive processing experience, and professional work experience are a plus. Only very talented programmers need apply for this position.

Run-time Programmer Positions

Engine/Assembler/Renderer Programmer

Do you shake your head in disgust when someone claims that today's C++ compilers make assembler coding unnecessary? Do you consider an idling processor in a multi-processor system to be a shameful waste of a resource? Do you count clock cycles? Do you think about parallel instruction dispatching? Do you worry incessantly about data & code caches misses, and agonize about how slow RAM is these days? Experience with rendering, pixel shaders, animation systems, and multi-processor systems are all a big plus. The more rendering or assembler experience the better. We are looking for only the serious, hard-core low-level programmer; so don't bother applying unless you are truly gifted in this area.

Network Programmer

Network-based gameplay is becoming more prevalent, and is inevitably going to be a continual presence in the future of video games. We're looking for a programmer with experience making network-based gameplay, who has a solid understanding of TCP/IP, UDP, latency issues, and who understands the importance of determining the data to be transferred, and how data transmission will fundamentally affect the architecture of a game. Don't bother applying for this position unless you have actual video game networking experience.

Enemy Behavioral Programmer or Generalist Programmer

Are you good at bringing enemies to life? Do you feel that you have an artistic flare that you express through particles, physics, joint modifications (i.e., forward and inverse kinematics tricks), animation blending, auxiliary motion, and all those little extras that make your characters an "experience" rather than simply being functional? Do you understand that "if it looks right, it is right", and are you good at coming up with the clever tricks that allow you to get more out of the CPU? Do you have a firm grasp of 3D mathematics and rudimentary physics? We're looking for a programmer who will work on the various characters and enemies that create the important gameplay interactions - the things that make the game FUN. This person will also take on the numerous challenges that come up when attempting to bring a concept into reality. The programmer must be clever, a good problem-solver, and good at creating fast algorithms. You must be self-motivated, and work well with the artists and the designers. Experience with inverse kinematics solutions, camera control logic, collision detection, path finding, rigid-body physics, AI behavioral programming, and strong math skills are all a big plus. You must have at least 3 years of video game programming experience.

Naughty Dog does not do programmer internships. Please do not apply for an internship position. Applicants interested in any of the above positions should send their resume to [email protected]