Principal Software Engineer (Tech Lead) – Unpublished R&D Product

Riot engineers bring deep knowledge of specific technical areas but also value the opportunity to work in a variety of broader domains.  We work with both new and current technology, creating innovative solutions to solve complex, large-scale challenges and deliver player value.  As a Principal Software Engineer, you’ll lead the development of key features and model high standards of engineering excellence. 

As a Principal Software Engineer, Tech Lead on an unpublished R&D product, you will lead the technical foundations for one of Riot’s most exciting new games. You will work closely with other experts in engineering, QA, art and design to ensure the game is meeting the team’s development needs, creative goals, and quality marks on multiple platforms.  In this role you will be hands-on in architecting core features of the game, evaluating shared and upcoming technologies, directing the work of other engineers, and developing and debugging some of the game’s most fundamental systems. You will work with state-of-the-art technology and explore new solutions to surprise and delight our players as we bring this new game to life. You will report to the Senior Engineering Manager of the Tech Foundations team and partner with them to direct the work of 8-10 engineers working on engine, tools, build, rendering, and console features.

Responsibilities:

• Work closely with QA, engineers, designers, artists and area leads to make product decisions which address the technical, creative and artistic requirements of the game
• Participate in the planning and execution of the team’s engineering work, including requirements gathering, technical evaluation, architecture, work breakdown and estimation
• Investigate, understand, and solve complex technical problems at the team level
• Profile and direct optimization efforts for CPU and memory usage on PC and console
• Advance and strengthen engineering best practices, including code quality, automated testing, and maintainable architecture
• Provide mentorship to new engineers as the team scales, and provide feedback that supports their technical growth

Required Qualifications: 

• 10+ years (or equivalent depth) of professional experience in software engineering, including experience delivering live or shipped products at scale
• 5+ years experience working in Unreal Engine on engine, tools, build, rendering, and console features
• Experience shipping one or more games on various platforms
• Experience in performance profiling and optimization on console
• Proven ability to navigate ambiguity and solve complex problems with minimal support
• Experience with simultaneously directing efforts in more than one technology area
• Experience regularly collaborating with teammates across multiple disciplines
• Strong communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences
• B.S. in computer science or equivalent experience
• Proficiency in C++

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience building multiplayer games
• Background in graphics/rendering
• Direct experience working on console features and certification
• Experience implementing framework level UI systems
• Experience developing tools ecosystems in Unreal
• Experience mentoring technical ICs and contributing to engineering culture
• Experience working on distributed teams

For this role, you’ll find success through craft expertise and a collaborative spirit that prioritizes the delight of players. We will look at your past studies and experience, but for this role, we also look for dedicated people with a personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about players’ experiences, this is the role for you!

Our Perks:

Riot focuses on work/life balance, shown by our open paid time off policy and other perks such as flexible work schedules. We offer medical, dental, and life insurance, parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and children, and a 401k with company match. Check out our benefits pages for more information.

At Riot Games, we put players first. That mission drives every decision in our quest to create games and experiences that make it better to be a player. Whether you’re working directly on a new player-facing experience or you’re supporting the company as a whole, everyone at Riot is part of our mission. And just like in our games, we’re better when we work together. Our goal is to create collaborative teams where you are empowered to bring your unique perspective everyday. If that sounds like the kind of place you want to work, we’re looking forward to your application.

It’s our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and members of Riot Games, Inc. Riot Games makes reasonable accommodations for handicapped and disabled Rioters and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, handicap, veteran status, marital status, criminal history, or any other category protected by applicable federal and state law. We consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the Washington Fair Chance Act.

Per the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the following core duties may create a basis for disqualifying candidates with relevant criminal histories:

• Safeguarding confidential and sensitive Company data
• Communication with others, including Rioters and third parties such as vendors, and/or players, including minors
• Accessing Company assets, secure digital systems, and networks
• Ensuring a safe interactive environment for players and other Rioters

These duties are directly related to essential operations, safety, trust, and compliance obligations within our organization. Please note that job duties may evolve based on business needs and additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to maintain operational efficiency and security.