About the role#
This is a 12-week internship focused on character art within our external development pipeline. You will contribute to active AAA projects while working alongside experienced artists and mentors. This role is designed to help you build industry-ready skills and gain a direct view into professional game development.
What you'll do#
- Review incoming character and prop assets for quality, consistency, and technical compliance.
- Support mid, senior, and lead artists by polishing external assets and fixing technical issues.
- Enhance your understanding of advanced game development technology with a focus on Unreal Engine.
- Use industry-standard tools and software such as ZBrush, Maya, and Substance Designer.
What you'll need#
- You must have graduated from a college or university program in 2026.
- A degree in Animation, Art, Game Art, Technical Art, Game Design, Game Development, Engineering, or a related field.
- A portfolio demonstrating foundational character art skills, including anatomy, silhouette, proportion, color theory, PBR, or hard-surface experience.
- Evidence of industry involvement outside of your classroom curriculum.
- Ability to work full-time (40 hours per week) during core business hours.
- Legal eligibility to work in the United States.
- A willingness to learn from feedback and adapt to new workflows.
- A resume, cover letter, and link to your portfolio.
Location & details#
- This position is available for Winter 2027.
- We offer remote, on-site, and hybrid work options.
- The internship requires your first week to be on-site at our studio in San Carlos, California, for onboarding.
- This is a paid, full-time position.
About Crystal Dynamics
Crystal Dynamics is a game development studio located in San Mateo, California. Founded in 1992, the company creates titles such as the Tomb Raider franchise, Gex, and the Legacy of Kain series. It operates as a subsidiary of the Embracer Group. The studio employs between 201 and 500 people.
How to get in at Crystal Dynamics
Applying early to Crystal Dynamics gives you a distinct advantage because recruiters review applications as they arrive. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, helping you get your materials in before the pile grows. You should aim to be among the first candidates in the system. Reaching out to the right person often yields better results than a standard application. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company's roles so you can contact them directly to ask about the position or a potential referral. This direct approach often improves your response rate significantly.
