Principal Software Engineer, Riot Games
Gameplay Networking SME, Unpublished R&D Product
$218.3-304.3k
+ Incentive compensation + Equity
Player-focused game development platform
Open for applications
Player-focused game development platform
1001+ employees
Open for applications
$218.3-304.3k
+ Incentive compensation + Equity
1001+ employees
Company mission
To be the most player-focused game company in the world.
Role
Who you are
- 8+ years of game development experience
- Experience employing latency mitigation techniques in a real-time online multiplayer game
- Experience shipping and regularly updating a live service game for a large audience
- Low-level networking development experience
- Has set technical direction for 3+ other engineers
Desirable
- Knowledge of modern C++ development practices
- Experience developing games using Unreal Engine
- Understanding of TCP/IP routing and bandwidth optimization techniques
- Working knowledge of a real-time physics engine
What the job involves
- As a Software Engineer, you’ll also dive into projects that focus on team cohesiveness and cross-team objectives
- You’ll drive important features and provide other engineers with a clear illustration of extraordinary engineering
- As a Principal Software Engineer focused on networking and simulation technology, you will use your understanding of the entire software development lifecycle to help us prepare and deliver our game to a mass market while remaining focused on defining and delivering an outstanding gameplay experience for players
- As a Gameplay Engineer with expertise in real-time multiplayer networking, you will be responsible for delivering technical solutions that improve gameplay integrity and empower content creators to explore gameplay concepts quickly and confidently in realistic conditions
- Contribute to a team focused on building technical solutions that will allow us to deliver smooth and responsive gameplay over the public internet
- Serve as a subject-matter-expert on real-time multiplayer networking and latency mitigation techniques
- Drive and contribute to technical designs related to simulation and networking systems
- Help shape the technical direction and standards for the team
- Mentor and coach other engineers on the project
- For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise, a collaborative spirit, and decision-making that prioritizes the delight of players
Our take
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.
Riot is riding the wave of online gaming growth, having made a well timed switch from PC-only into mobile-based gaming, as capitalising on the rising popularity of esports, with the League of Legends World Championships one of the most watched events in the space.
However, adding further titles to its resume will be key to building on its success, as League of Legends was its only offering for the best part of a decade. Since being acquired by Chinese tech giant Tencent in 2011, the company has grown significantly in Asian markets, opening its Shanghai Game Studio in 2021 and expanding its China Game Studio Group in 2022. These two hubs will help Riot Games make further inroads in a country where PC gaming is already huge and continues to grow.
Regardless of League of Legends' success both online and in live arenas, the company nevertheless experienced a round of layoffs internationally that amounted to 11% of its workforce. Pair that with legal troubles in 2024 concerning the company’s partnership with now bankrupt crypto exchange FTX, and Riot Games appears to be in a period of transition. Thanks to the strength of its gaming products, however, Riot will no doubt maintain a comfortable position within the gaming world.
Freddie
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
24% employee growth in 12 months
Company
Funding (2 rounds)
Sep 2009
$8m
SERIES C
Jul 2008
$7m
EARLY VC
Total funding: $15m
Company benefits
- 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
Company HQ
Sawtelle, Los Angeles, CA
Leadership
Brandon Beck
(Co-Chairman)Having studied at the University of Southern California, they worked as a Management Consultant at Bain & Company. they left this role in September 2006 to co-found Riot Games, where they served initially as co-CEO.
Marc Merrill
(Co-Chairman)After a degree at the University of Southern California, they worked as a U.S. Bank Analyst and a Manager of Advanstar Communications. They co-founded Riot Games with Brandon in September 2006, alongside being a Principal of NaHCo3 since 2016.
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