Character Shading TD

Summary:

A Character Shading TD helps to advance the rendering of Naughty Dog’s characters.  In this role you’ll write shading and rendering code, paint textures, tune materials, and work with the artists and programmers – whatever it takes to push the beauty and realism of our characters to new levels!

Responsibilities:

• Develop the look of skin, fabric, hair, eyes, leather, metal, blood, grime, and anything else that can appear on a character
• Write well-architected shading and rendering code that can be built upon for years to come
• Use a range of techniques. Write code, paint textures, and procedurally generate source data
• Create user interfaces that allow artists to easily tune parameters for common material types
• Work closely with artists and the engineering team to develop more advanced rendering techniques, and to improve content creation tools
• Support the character team in debugging issues with the game, tools, etc.
• Help drive framerate and memory optimization of character art
• Automate and streamline art production pipelines, and improve content creation tools
• Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed

Requirements & Skills:

• Strong experience with HLSL or GLSL shading languages. Intermediate experience with C++
• Ability to write robust code, both from a functional and architectural standpoint
• An advanced knowledge of character shading, lighting, and material response, and of real-time rendering technology as a whole
• A keen eye for color, texture painting, and the subtle differences between materials
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work with minimal supervision
• Good oral and written skills
• 3+ years of production experience in VFX or video games

Bonus Skills:

• Experience in Maya/Python programming
• Experience with real-time game engines (Unreal, Unity, in-house engines, etc.)
• Experience with ZBrush, Substance Designer, and/or Substance Painter

As part of the Naughty Dog application process, candidates should expect to be given a technical interview and may be asked to complete an art test.