Riot Games

Manager, Software Engineering, Core Game Features - VALORANT

Los Angeles, USA; Mercer Island, USA

Sponsorship not specifiedDetected 5 days ago

C++Product StrategyPerformance ManagementUnityUnreal EngineLeadershipCommunicationCollaboration

About the role

Riot engineers bring deep knowledge of specific technical areas but also value the chance to work in many broader domains.
You'll also serve as a mentor for a team of engineers, overseeing performance management, growth opportunities, and accountability.
This position will report to the Engineering Leadership of VALORANT's Core Game group.

Manage and grow a team of engineers working on core gameplay systems, live game support, and/or new game mode development.
Establish and uphold engineering standards that support high-quality code, maintainable systems, and scalable technical design.
Partner with technical leadership, design, production, and other disciplines to define team direction and deliver player-facing outcomes.
Help your team balance new feature development, gameplay system improvements, bug resolution, and incoming partner requests.
Support the prototyping, iteration, and productionization of gameplay features and modes in close collaboration with design and cross-functional partners.
Build clarity, alignment, and healthy execution practices across a team working in a complex live game environment.
That mission drives every decision in our quest to create games and experiences that make it better to be a player.
Our goal is to create collaborative teams where you are empowered to bring your unique perspective everyday.
Per the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the following core duties may create a basis for disqualifying candidates with relevant criminal histories:
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.

6+ years of experience as a hands-on Software Engineer.
2+ years of experience directly leading an engineering team as an Engineering Manager or Technical Lead.
2+ years of experience developing in Unreal, Unity, or another game engine.
Experience writing, reading, and reviewing C++ or similar language(s).
Experience working in complex game or engine codebases.
Experience leading engineers working on gameplay systems or gameplay-adjacent engine technology.
Experience collaborating closely with designers to prototype and iterate on player-facing gameplay experiences.
Experience with Unreal Engine and C++.
Experience with developing on consoles.
Experience with developing multiplayer games.
Experience developing or supporting live game features, mode development, or gameplay systems in a live service environment.

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.
Beyond driving technical excellence, you will play a key role in developing and empowering your team, ensuring strong alignment between engineering execution, product vision, and long-term strategic goals.

At Riot Games, we put players first.
Whether you're working directly on a new player-facing experience or you're supporting the company as a whole, everyone at Riot is part of our mission.
If that sounds like the kind of place you want to work, we're looking forward to your application.

This listing is sourced directly from Riot Games's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.