Staff Software Engineer

Riot engineers bring deep knowledge of specific technical areas but also value the opportunity to work in a variety of broader domains. As a Staff Software Engineer, you’ll also dive into projects that focus on team cohesiveness and cross-team objectives. You’ll drive technical initiatives and provide other engineers with a clear illustration of extraordinary engineering.

As a Staff Software Engineer on our unpublished MMO, you’ll build and deliver internet-scale backend services to power a genre-defining game for millions of players worldwide. From integrating Riot’s existing platforms to creating new ones, you’ll design scalable systems, develop features end-to-end, and ensure compliance with infrastructure and operational standards.

Responsibilities:

• Design and implement scalable, reliable backend services for high-performance gameplay.
• Develop server infrastructure that supports innovative gameplay and game features.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams, including art, design, and engineering, to create cohesive player experiences.
• Plan, design, and execute technical initiatives, contributing to system architecture and development.
• Contribute to the team’s technical direction, establishing best practices and standards.
• Mentor teammates, fostering skill development and engineering excellence.
• Continuously improve systems to meet the demands of a live global audience.

Required Qualifications:

• 6+ years of software engineering experience in the game industry.
• Proven track record of designing and implementing large-scale, production-ready systems.
• Experience developing full-stack features, including backend services, client/server logic, and player-facing elements.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience working on globally distributed online games.
• Proficiency in C++ and Golang.
• Familiarity with Unreal Engine 4 or 5, including Blueprint visual scripting.
• Experience building backend services for PC and console games.
• Knowledge of cloud technologies (e.g., AWS), containerization (e.g., Docker), and client/server architecture.
• Expertise with relational and non-relational databases.

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 players' experiences, this could be your role!

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.

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.