Technical Artist, Character Optimization Intern [Spring 2027]

Crystal Dynamics

1d•$21 - $24•Remote

About The Position

Crystal Dynamics is hiring a remote spring intern for a 12-week program contributing hands-on to active AAA game projects. The internship offers a professional development environment with experienced mentors and collaborative teams, and is intended to help interns build industry-ready skills, develop professional relationships, and gain insight into AAA game creation. The internship runs February 1 through April 23, 2027, and includes the first week onsite at the San Carlos, California studio for onboarding. The role is open to candidates in most U.S. states who are legally eligible to work in the United States. The intern will learn and use industry-standard tools, software, and scripting languages, including Unreal Engine, Maya, and Python. They will participate in technical art tools and pipeline work on a small mentored project, from proposal and prototype through technical design documentation, implementation, iteration, and polish. Working with technical artists, the intern will support tool and script development, pipeline and DCC-to-engine troubleshooting, character optimization, automation to reduce content debt, and clear documentation of fixes. The role will focus on advanced game development technology, character optimization, and asset performance. The internship pays $21–$24 per hour based on location, plus a stipend to help cover expenses during the program. Interns are eligible for medical, dental, and vision benefits. Applicants must have graduated from a college or university program in 2026, hold a degree in a listed or related field, be available to work 40 hours per week during core business hours for the full program, and submit a resume, cover letter, and portfolio or GitHub link.

Requirements

Graduated from a college or university program in 2026 (Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter).
Degree in Animation, Art, Game Art, Technical Art, Game Design, Game Development, Engineering, or a related field.
Available to work full-time (40 hours per week) during core business hours for the duration of the program, February 1–April 23, 2027.
Available to attend the first week onsite at the studio in San Carlos, California, for onboarding.
Legally eligible to work in the United States.
Submit a complete application including a resume, cover letter, and a link to a portfolio or GitHub.

Nice To Haves

Portfolio demonstrating foundational technical art skills, such as simple character rigs, skinning examples, or character optimization work.
Maya or Unreal scripts, tools, or workflows that improve character performance and production efficiency.
Industry involvement outside the classroom, such as game jams, personal projects, or group-project contributions showing initiative.
Exposure to industry-standard development software tools and engines.
Willingness to tackle challenges, learn from feedback, and adapt to new tools or workflows.
Ability to communicate ideas, eagerness to learn, and willingness to put feedback into action.

Responsibilities

Learn and use industry-standard tools, software, and scripting languages such as Unreal Engine, Maya, and Python.
Participate in technical art tools and pipeline workflow on a small, mentored project from proposal and prototype through technical design documentation, implementation, iteration, and polish.
Support mid-, senior-, and lead-level technical artists by building and refining tools or scripts.
Troubleshoot pipelines and DCC-to-engine integration issues.
Support character optimization workflows and improve asset performance.
Reduce content debt through automation.
Document fixes clearly.
Collaborate with onsite and remote teams and fellow interns.