Part-Time Developers & Interns Wanted

Recruitment status (updated September 28, 2026)

Thankfully, all hourly part-time positions have been filled, so we have closed that recruitment. To everyone who applied, thank you very much. We were able to talk with some of you in interviews, and everyone was wonderful — honestly, it was a very hard decision.

We are still recruiting people to join on a revenue-share basis. Instead of an hourly wage, you receive a share of the sales of the games we make. We think it suits people who say, “I have a main job, but I want to be deeply involved in making games,” or “I want to join a project where my name appears in the credits.”

Current projects at Sano-Gumi include “Dreamy Sakura's Graduation Ceremony” (releasing on Steam on October 22), “ぱずホロ” (a fan-made work based on the hololive production Derivative Works Guidelines, in development with the aim of applying to holo Indie; © 2016 COVER Corp.), and “Don't Give Up, Pal” (がんばれ相棒). We have other projects in progress as well. Anyone who can use Unity, draw, or make sound is welcome. The main role is engineering, but you can also join as an artist (see “For those who want to join as an artist” below). It's fine to work using AI agents.

If you are interested, please read the conditions on this page, or feel free to send a DM on X (@ahTama). Once you have made up your mind, please send an email to the application address below. Messages and applications should be written in Japanese.

For students (joining as an internship)

Students may also take the revenue-share course as an “internship.”

The arrangement is a revenue-share contract for services (not employment). You decide your own working hours and methods, and deliver the finished work. We do not assign you hours as an employer would. In return, you must keep to the deadlines (milestones) for your part and give a progress report on Discord about once a week. When there are sales, they are shared according to the percentage set in the contract.

If you want this to count as a school practicum or for credits, Sano-Gumi will write certificates and evaluations for the practicum. Each school has its own conditions, such as a supervisor or time records, so please tell us your school's rules when you apply.

Applicants under 20 need a letter of consent from a parent or guardian. As with all other participants, signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) and communicating via Discord are required (Slack only for those who want it).

For those who want to join as an artist

Until now the main role has been engineering, but you can also join as an artist. This is on a revenue-share basis and includes student internships.

We accept UI, animation, effects, and character design. Our representative will give you specific comments and feedback on what you make.

For illustration, we can only accept people whose current skill level is clear from their portfolio. We will give comments and feedback on your work, but we are sorry that we cannot teach drawing from the basics or offer consultation on personal concerns as an illustrator. Thank you for your understanding.

People who join as engineers can also get involved in UI and effects work.

If you wish to join as an artist, please include your portfolio (a URL is fine) with your application.

For applicants of foreign nationality

Nationality does not matter.

However, all communication, specifications, and meetings are in Japanese. Our representative cannot communicate in English. As a guide, we expect Japanese at the level of JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test) N2 or above, and that you can communicate in written Japanese on Discord without difficulty.

Eligible applicants are those who live outside Japan, or those who live in Japan and whose residence status permits them to receive compensation (for international students, e.g., permission to engage in activities outside their status).

Job description

We ask you to develop our own games and assist with practical store work. Not only Steam, but also iOS, Android, and Nintendo Switch. This includes assisting with store submissions, builds, and everything around submission. The first Steam work will be done together with our representative; from then on, the goal is for you to be able to handle it on your own. How roles are divided and details of the titles will be explained at the interview.

Helping at event exhibitions is not required. Even if you do, it may be unpaid, voluntary cooperation. As a rule, we decline events held far away.

Who we welcome

This is an opportunity for people who want to grow. The goal is to become an engineer who can work independently. We are looking for people who do not stop at waiting for instructions, and who can take the work on as their own. People who are not like this are not eligible.

Working efficiently with AI agents is required. If you don't know how to use them, we will teach you. Lack of experience will not disqualify you. People who will not use them, or who refuse to use them, are not eligible.

In addition to Steam, this work involves iOS, Android, and Nintendo Switch. People who do not want to work on multiple platforms are not eligible.

For people who want to put their own games on stores in the future, we hope you will use this as a stepping stone toward that goal.

Conditions

Type of position

We are currently recruiting for revenue-share participation. Hourly part-time positions (including internships with practical work) have been filled and are closed. This is not an observation-only internship; you will do actual work.

Hours

For revenue-share participation (including student internships), your working hours are up to you. In return, you must keep to the deadlines (milestones) for your part and give a progress report on Discord about once a week. For reference, the now-closed hourly part-time positions were based on 3 hours a day, 3 to 5 days a week, with days of up to 7 hours limited to 2 per week and no days of 8 hours or more. This was because our representative cannot always be present.

Location

Both interviews and work are fully remote (online). Communication via Discord is required. Slack is used only for those who want it.

Equipment

Please use your own computer for work. The company does not lend equipment.

Confidentiality

Once you are accepted, we will sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). This is mandatory.

Contract

Currently we are recruiting only for the revenue-share course. The hourly course has been filled and is closed. Details will be finalized in the interview and the contract. If you repeatedly miss deadlines or stop responding, we may terminate the contract. The revenue-share percentage may also be revised according to the work you actually handled. If you provide labor under our direction, labor laws may apply. We will not set conditions below the minimum wage.

Revenue sharing

The revenue-share course is for people who can work almost independently. It takes the form of splitting off part of our representative's (Hiroki Sano's) share. The percentage, target titles, and payment terms are set individually in the contract. Support covers doing the first Steam work together, a progress check about once a week, a sounding board when you get stuck, and review before submission. It does not include daily step-by-step instructions or constant presence. Distribution happens only after sales occur. There are currently no sales, so you may receive almost nothing for the time being.

Name

For public-facing names, chat, credits, and so on, a handle name is fine. Your real name is required for the contract, bank transfers, and taxes.

My Number (Japanese individual number)

Not needed for the application or interview. If it becomes necessary for payment procedures, we will let you know after the contract.

How to apply

Please send an email in Japanese to rin-sano@sanogumi.biz stating that you wish to join on a revenue-share basis (if you are a student who wants to join as an internship, say so; if you want it to count as a school practicum or credits, include your school's rules too; if you are applying as an artist, attach your portfolio — a URL is fine), along with your name (a handle name is fine), contact details, available hours, and a brief summary of your achievements or what you are studying. Our replies and application guidance will also be sent in Japanese.