Technical Game Design Intern

All Game Designers at Riot have a base set of skills: you design, tweak, and optimize the player experience. Your analytical skills, player insight, and creativity aid in crafting in- and out-of-game experiences that engage and surprise players. 

As a Technical Game Design Intern, you will work extensively in technical problem spaces, building tools and systems that unlock themselves and other game designers, and also own key gameplay designs. In your application, you will select which product you prefer to apply for. 

Potential Responsibilities:

League of Legends 

• Work on live operations and new content for one of the core gameplay expressions of League of Legends (Summoner’s Rift or ARAM: Mayhem)
• Work on champion abilities, items, augments, or supporting game systems
• Collaborate with Designers and Engineers to add features and workflows to existing tools and pipelines to help the team work efficiently, or tackle unforeseen gameplay problems

Teamfight Tactics

• Work on the TFT Gameplay initiative, contributing directly to a set that will be released in 2027
• Work on Traits, champions, champion abilities, or supporting systems such as the set mechanic
• Collaborate with Designers and Engineers to add features and workflows to existing tools and pipelines to help the team work efficiently, or tackle unforeseen gameplay problems

Required Qualifications:

• Graduating in the 2026 or 2027 academic year studying Computer Science, Engineering, or Technology related field
• Completed courses or related work experience in data structures and algorithms
• Coding experience using C++ and Blueprints in Unreal Engine
• Deep gameplay experience with League of Legends or TFT
• Experience collaborating through testing, tuning, and partnering with designers, engineers, and artists to reach player experience goal
• Available to work full-time hours for the 12 week internship duration
• Minimum GPA of 3.0

Desired Qualifications:

• Unreal or Game Engine experience, specifically with building character abilities
• Experience working in data-driven setups such as spreadsheets, scripts, config tables
• Experience reading, modifying, and improving code or Blueprints built by others
• Demonstrated understanding of animation timing, hit impact, and incorporating player feedback
• Demonstrated experience creating a prototype, mod, or school project that shows your design and implementation experience.
• Experience playing Ranked League of Legends or TFT 

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise, a collaborative spirit, and decision-making that prioritizes the delight of players. We will certainly be looking 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 the experiences of players, this could be the role for you!

Work Authorization:

• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States for the duration of the program. 
• This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. We do not sponsor visas for this position or internship conversions.

Applications Close Monday, January 4th, 2027 at 11:59pm PT

Our Perks:

Riot Internships are paid, and interns can also participate in our 401(k) plan. You can expect in-game perks, and the ability to participate in our Play Fund, so you can broaden and deepen your knowledge of our players and community through games. The University Recruiting team also invites you to intern focused events so you can connect with your fellow interns and Rioters to make the most out of your experience.

Riot Games fosters a player and workplace experience that values teamwork embodied by the Summoner's Code and Community Code. Our culture embraces differences as a strength, and our values are the guiding principles for how we approach work. We are committed to putting diversity and inclusion (D&I) at the center of everything we do, and promoting a fair and collaborative culture where Rioters treat one another with dignity and respect. We encourage you to read more about our value of thriving together and our ongoing work to build the most inclusive company in Gaming.

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. 

 (Remote Only) The hourly rate for this internship is USD $44.86