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

• We offer medical, dental, and vision plans that cover you, your spouse/domestic partner, and children
• Life insurance, parental leave, plus short-term and long-term disability coverage are also available
• Riot will support your retirement benefits with a company match, and double down on your donations of time and money to non-profit charitable organizations
• Balance between work and personal life is encouraged with open paid time off, and a play fund so you can broaden and deepen your personal relationship with games

Total funding: $15m

Riot Games has grown into one of the world’s most prominent online and mobile game developers, due in large part to the success of its 2009 flagship title League of Legends which hosts just under seventy million users every month.