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Game Level Designer Intern Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The opportunity to get in at the ground level at a company destined for success. The team: we are smart (at least we think so) and passionate, but also know how to have fun. Perks: Experience in a ...

Game Designer, Casual F2P

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$65 - $95/hr

We need a game designer who actually plays casual F2P mobile games, not someone who tolerates them ... We are seeking individuals that share these values and are looking to level up themselves, the ...

Game Designer, Casual F2P

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$167K/yr

We need a game designer who actually plays casual F2P mobile games, not someone who tolerates them ... We are seeking individuals that share these values and are looking to level up themselves, the ...

Game Designer, Casual F2P

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$167K/yr

We need a game designer who actually plays casual F2P mobile games, not someone who tolerates them ... We are seeking individuals that share these values and are looking to level up themselves, the ...

Showing results 21-40

Game Level Designer Intern information

See California salary details

$9

$19

$36

How much do game level designer intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for game level designer intern in California is $19.12, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $21.35 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a game level designer intern do?

A Game Level Designer Intern assists in creating, designing, and testing game environments or levels under the guidance of experienced designers. Their daily tasks may include building maps, placing objects, scripting events, and ensuring the level layout supports gameplay mechanics. They often use game engines and level editing tools to prototype and iterate on designs based on feedback. Interns also collaborate with other teams, such as artists and programmers, to ensure a cohesive player experience. This position helps interns gain practical industry experience and develop their design skills.

What are the typical responsibilities of a game level designer intern, and how do they contribute to the overall development process?

As a Game Level Designer Intern, you can expect to assist with creating engaging and visually appealing game environments under the guidance of senior designers. Your daily tasks may include designing level layouts, playtesting for balance and flow, and implementing feedback from team members. You'll often collaborate closely with artists, programmers, and narrative designers to ensure your levels align with the game's mechanics and story. This role offers a hands-on introduction to the game development pipeline and is a great opportunity to learn industry-standard tools and workflows while building your portfolio.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a game level designer intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Game Level Designer Intern, you need a solid understanding of game design principles, creative problem-solving skills, and familiarity with industry-standard design documentation. Experience with tools like Unity, Unreal Engine, and level editing software, as well as a portfolio showcasing your work, are typically expected. Strong collaboration, adaptability, and clear communication help you work effectively within development teams and incorporate feedback. These skills are important for creating engaging, playable levels that enhance the overall gaming experience and meet project goals.

What is the difference between Game Level Designer Intern vs Game Environment Artist Intern?

AspectGame Level Designer InternGame Environment Artist Intern
Required SkillsLevel design, scripting, gameplay flow3D modeling, texturing, environment creation
Work EnvironmentDesign teams, game studios, collaborative projectsArt departments, creative teams, game studios
Industry UsageUsed in game design, level creation, gameplay developmentUsed in environment art, asset creation, visual storytelling

Both roles are internships within game development, often overlapping in collaborative projects. The Game Level Designer Intern focuses on designing engaging levels and gameplay experiences, while the Game Environment Artist Intern specializes in creating immersive visual environments. Understanding these differences helps aspiring interns target their skills and career goals effectively.

What are the most commonly searched types of Game Level Designer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Game Level Designer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Game Level Designer Intern jobs in California?

For Game Level Designer Intern jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Game Level Designer Intern jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Game Level Designer Intern jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Game Level Designer Intern jobs?

Cities in California with the most Game Level Designer Intern job openings:

Infographic showing various Game Level Designer Intern job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 13% Internship, 56% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 6% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $39,777 per year, or $19.1 per hour.

Game Designer, Level Contingent

NAUGHTY DOG, LLC

Santa Monica, CA โ€ข On-site

$79.90 - $89.54/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision

Re-posted 18 days ago


Job 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 is now available for the first time on PC.

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:
  • 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
  • Effective and respectful communicator and collaborator, both with other designers and members of other departments
  • Coordinate extensive playtesting, reviews, and iteration
  • Additional Responsibilities may be assigned as needed
What skills you will use:
  • 3+ years of industry experience in Level Design experience for games
  • 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
  • Understanding the single player gaming landscape
  • Maintains knowledge of the broader gaming landscape trends
  • Problem-solving skills and a proactive attitude.

As a part of the Naughty Dog application process, candidates will be expected to provide a portfolio or demo reel of their work and may be asked to complete a design test.

At SIE, working with our partners, we consider several factors when setting each roleโ€™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.

The estimated base pay range for this role is listed below, this is an hourly rate.

$58.03 โ€” $65 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 ourCandidate 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.

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