ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Game Science Studio Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Naughty Dog

Senior Game Designer (Combat)

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$145K - $181K/yr

Ability to work onsite from our Santa Monica, CA based studio is required. For nearly 40 years ... Computer Science degree preferred though not required * Proficient in using game engines and tools ...

Striking Distance Studios

Lead Gameplay Engineer

San Ramon, CA · On-site

$112K - $147K/yr

... studio focused on delivering creative excellence in game development. They are looking for a Lead ... Required : • Bachelor's degree in software engineering, computer science, or equivalent. • At ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsGame Science Studio JobsGame Science Studio Jobs in California

Game Science Studio information

What types of projects and team structures can I expect when working at a Game Science Studio?

In a Game Science Studio, you will typically work on projects focused on developing and refining game systems using player data, simulations, and scientific methodologies to enhance gameplay experiences. Teams often consist of designers, data analysts, engineers, and user researchers, collaborating closely on short sprints and iterative development cycles. You can expect a dynamic, collaborative environment where ideas are rapidly prototyped, tested, and improved based on real-world metrics. This structure fosters professional growth, provides opportunities to specialize in areas like game balancing or behavioral analytics, and encourages cross-disciplinary learning alongside industry experts.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Game Science Studio position?

To thrive in a Game Science Studio role, you need a solid background in game design, mathematics, data analysis, and user research, typically backed by a degree in game development, computer science, or related fields. Familiarity with development tools like Unity or Unreal Engine, statistical modeling software, and version control systems such as Git is often expected. Strong collaboration, creative problem-solving, and effective communication help individuals stand out in this interdisciplinary environment. These competencies drive innovation and ensure successful integration of scientific principles into engaging gameplay experiences.

What is a Game Science Studio?

A Game Science Studio job involves applying data science, psychology, and game design principles to analyze player behavior, improve game mechanics, and enhance user engagement. Professionals in this field work with data analytics, A/B testing, and game balancing to optimize player experience and business outcomes. They collaborate with designers, developers, and product managers to create data-driven insights that inform game development and monetization strategies.

What are the most commonly searched types of Game Science Studio jobs in California? The most popular types of Game Science Studio jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Game Science Studio jobs in California? For Game Science Studio jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Game Science Studio jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Game Science Studio jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Game Science Studio jobs? Cities in California with the most Game Science Studio job openings:
Game Science Studio jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Science Studio job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, and 18% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Senior Game Designer (Combat)

Naughty Dog

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

$145K - $181K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

Ability to work onsite from our Santa Monica, CA based studio is required.
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:
  • Pitch, design, implement, and own enemy NPC archetypes
  • Work with AI programmers to develop foundational NPC technology and implementing and tuning enemy AI behaviors
  • Work with animators to develop enemy locomotion and traversal, melee moves, ambient behaviors, and other custom abilities. Make every enemy archetype feel unique and memorable
  • Collaborate with the Design team to conceptualize, prototype, implement, tune, and balance gameplay mechanics and systems
  • Communicate with animation, programming, and art departments to effectively produce the assets and code support required for the enemies you're owning
  • Write and maintain documentation that establishes the core vision of the enemy archetypes
  • Drive communication and collaboration for enemies you design and the levels they are in, ensuring communication across disciplines and meeting deadlines
  • Effective and respectful communicator and collaborator, both with other designers and members of other departments
  • Facilitate playtesting and feedback sessions to iterate on combat systems and fine-tune them based on player experiences
  • Mentor junior designers and contribute to the overall growth of the design team

What skills you will use:
  • 5+ years of industry experience in combat design and/or technical design for games, specifically focused on developing action-adventure or shooter games
  • At least one shipped title as a combat designer or similar role. Experience with behavior trees or similar NPC AI concepts preferred
  • Strong coding ability: Computer Science degree preferred though not required
  • Proficient in using game engines and tools (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) for combat implementation and design scripting (C#, Lua, Visual Scripting)
  • Welcomes feedback on their work and embraces the "let's try it" mentality
  • Proficient and effective communication skills, including diagramming and sketching
  • Fluent in modern character action-adventure and shooter combat games. Maintains knowledge of the broader gaming landscape trends
  • Knowledge of narrative structure and how it intersects with gameplay and combat
  • A keen eye for detail in character action games, able to tune gameplay systems to make them feel smooth and impactful
  • Strong leadership and mentoring skills

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.

Apply