Principal Researcher, Riot Games

• 8+ years of relevant research experience (advanced degrees may substitute for up to 2 years)
• 4+ years of research experience specifically within the games industry
• Demonstrated ability to conduct research that informs game product and portfolio strategy
• Experienced in both qualitative and quantitative research methods—including in-depth-interviews, focus groups, playtests, diary studies, and surveys—with deep specialization in at least one
• Proficient in core statistical methods—including regression, correlation, and factor analysis—and experienced with a statistical package such as Q, R, or SPSS
• Strong understanding of game design, direction, and game product strategy
• 3+ years of experience partnering directly with senior executives or high-level stakeholders
• Skilled at synthesizing research findings into clear, actionable insights for product leadership
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills; able to influence across all levels of an organization
• Proven ability to independently lead complex, multi-stakeholder projects and cross-functional workstreams in collaboration with diverse partners
• Experience managing external vendors in driving research/insights projects
• Demonstrated experience mentoring researchers, teaching research best practices, or developing systems and processes that advance the craft and impact of research within an organization
• Experience in creating and validating benchmark metrics to support longitudinal tracking and strategic decision-making
• Experience partnering with Data Scientists & Analytics to integrate qualitative and quantitative insights

Desirable

• As a Principal User Researcher on the Central User Research (CUR) team, you’ll not only shape Riot’s understanding of players, but also guide strategic and operational decisions across all R&D games at Riot
• Your work will drive strategic decisions about the audiences we serve, the opportunities we pursue, and how our games evolve to deliver richer, more player-driven experiences
• You’ll design and conduct a wide range of studies—such as in-lab playtests, qualitative interviews, audience research, and global market surveys—in close collaboration with game teams and other insights partners
• In addition, you’ll own and advance CUR’s research craft standards, ensuring that our practices are rigorous, impactful, and player-centered
• You’ll report to the CUR Sr. Manager and operate as a key strategic partner across Riot’s R&D efforts
• Design and execute end-to-end studies using a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methods to uncover player motivations, pain points, and emerging opportunity areas
• Lead complex, high-impact research workstreams across Riot R&D—evolving milestone testing practices, establishing playtesting benchmarks, informing milestone & development decisions, and solving sophisticated research challenges
• Generate strategic insights that challenge assumptions and directly influence product and game direction across Riot
• Communicate research findings through compelling narratives that align stakeholders and drive executive decision-making
• Champion the player perspective by delivering evidence-based guidance on player needs, motivations, and behaviors
• Collaborate closely with game teams and insights partners to develop and socialize research-driven frameworks that shape both individual game strategy and broader portfolio direction
• Advance strategic thinking and research framework development across R&D to support long-term innovation and player-focused development
• Own research craft standards for the Central User Research (CUR) team—mentoring researchers and leading infrastructure improvements to raise the bar across CUR and Riot