Riot engineers bring deep knowledge of specific technical areas but also value the opportunity to work in many broader domains. As a Staff Software Engineer, you’ll also dive into projects that focus on team cohesiveness and cross-team goals. You’ll lead without authority and provide other engineers with a clear illustration of extraordinary engineering.

Want to lead engine development for the world’s largest competitive tactical shooter? As Staff Software Engineer on the VALORANT Engine team, you’ll be driving the direction of engine development on a game with over 30 million players per month, setting up VALORANT to continue its success for new and existing players alike. You’ll have an opportunity to work at the fundamental levels of a successful and stable game delighting players around the world, and will work with a passionate team of engineers in the continuous improvement of the core systems of Unreal Engine, supporting the ongoing needs of a large and geographically diverse development team. You will bring deep technical expertise and Unreal Engine experience, preferably with experience advocating for players and developers on your team.

Responsibilities:

Lead development of engine technology on a team of 4-8 engineers. Write and review code and tests.

Champion the technical vision for your team with production and other engineering teams.

Advocate for players, your team, and internal development customers when deciding what to build and why. Coordinate with other teams across Riot working on Unreal Engine or Riot-proprietary plugins.

Serve as technical lead on projects, designing technical solutions and reviewing others’ to anticipate disruptions or complexities. Write critical portions of code and shepherd solutions to successful deployment.

Plan and sequence the parallel rollout of major system changes using technical designs and instruction.

Be a standard-bearer and role model of Riot values for your team and others.

Be a force multiplier for your team. Mentor and direct engineers on your team by breaking down complex tasks and reviewing their delivery.

Required qualifications:

6+ years of experience as a hands-on software engineer

4+ years of experience with C++

2+ years experience developing in a commercial game engine (e.g. Unreal, Unity)

Desired qualifications:

Experience with Unreal Engine

Experience developing games for Xbox and PlayStation console platforms

Experience in Agile processes and continuous delivery

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise, a collaborative spirit, and decision-making that prioritizes the delight of players. We will be looking at your past studies, experience, and your personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about the experiences of players, this could be 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.