3D Art Intern [Spring 2027]

Crystal Dynamics is constantly seeking the best gaming talent worldwide to add to our 30-plus year legacy of game development creating new and iconic franchises. We are committed to making great games with great people and living the dream while doing it.

Benefits for our regular full-time positions include, but are not limited to, a competitive regional salary, 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance options, professional development reimbursement, flexible hybrid on-site/off-site work opportunities, company paid holidays, plus additional paid days in December when the studio is closed for holiday break, and the ability to accrue additional paid time-off.

Join us and help shape an amazing studio culture, where we’re building award-winning franchises like Tomb Raider and more!

Crystal Dynamics is now accepting applications for a remote spring internship, open to candidates across most U.S. states. As part of this 12-week program, you will take part in meaningful, hands-on work that contributes directly to active AAA projects. Throughout the program, you will step into a professional development environment where ongoing projects, experienced mentors, and collaborative teams give you a direct view into AAA game creation. This internship is designed to help you build industry ready skills, form strong professional relationships, and deepen your understanding of how world class games are made!

Eligibility Criteria: 

• 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 related fields.
• Availability to work full-time (40 hrs / week), during core business hours, for the duration of the program (February 1st – April 23rd, 2027), including the first week onsite at our studio in San Carlos, CA for onboarding.
• Legal eligibility to work in the United States.  
• Submission of a complete application that includes a resume, cover letter, and a link to your portfolio. 

What You Will Gain:  

• Practical Project Involvement: Contribute to active game development efforts while learning production scope, workflows, and the advanced tools used across modern AAA pipelines.  
• Professional Mentorship: Receive guidance from experienced professionals with deep industry knowledge. 
• Skill Development: Expand your skill set, establishing a solid foundation for your professional journey.  
• Team Collaboration: Work alongside our dedicated onsite and remote teams including fellow interns, building valuable professional relationships within the gaming industry.  

What You Will Do:

• Acquire essential skills using industry-standard tools and software such as Unreal Engine, ZBrush, Blender, and Substance Painter/Designer.
• Participate in various aspects of the 3D art pipeline including modeling, sculpting, UVs, texturing, material creation, mesh optimization, and in-engine implementation.
• Assist with world building, set dressing, and environment creation within Unreal Engine.
• Support mid, senior, and lead artists by polishing existing assets, helping fix issues, and contributing to a variety of art production tasks as assigned.
• Enhance your understanding of advanced game development technology, focusing on Unreal Engine 5.

What Makes You Stand Out:

• Portfolio demonstrating foundational environment art skills, including one or more of the following:
  • 3D art examples showing strong perspective, composition, mood, lighting, and material definition.
  • Understanding of color theory and PBR.
• Industry involvement outside classroom curriculum such as game jams, personal projects and/or contributions to group projects that show going above and beyond.
• 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 your ideas with eagerness to learn and put feedback into action.   

Compensation & Benefits:  
Compensation for this internship is $20-23/hr. Compensation is location-based and will be aligned to the intern’s confirmed work location during the program. Interns are also eligible for a medical, dental, and vision benefits package. Your recruiter can provide more information about total compensation. 

Check out our Crystal Dynamics Internship FAQ page for additional questions.
Thank you for your interest in an internship at Crystal Dynamics. We can't wait to see what you bring to our world of game development!