Manager, Software Engineering - VALORANT, Gameplay Cosmetics

Riot engineers bring deep knowledge of specific technical areas but also value the chance to work in many broader domains. As an Engineering Manager, you’ll predominantly offer creative solutions to organizational design. You’ll also serve as a mentor for a team of engineers, overseeing performance management, growth opportunities, and accountability.

As an Engineering Manager on the VALORANT team, you'll be working in the code, guiding engineers to grow in their careers, and helping the team to meet its product and technical goals. Additionally, you'll own the technical direction for how VALORANT premium content is created and how it is used by players in the live game. Part of the role is to collaborate deeply with all the art disciplines that help create our content, as well as Design and Product Management to help create content that players will love.

VALORANT is Riot’s take on a character-based tactical shooter ( for more info on VALORANT click here ! ).

Responsibilities:

Own the technology for premium content end to end: during creation by artists, when players view the content in the out of game experience, and when players are using the content in game.

Work with Artist and Art teams to help create new kinds of content or improve existing ones to help realize the vision of the game

Create, review, and reframe an engineering vision with the team and key stakeholders including the Technology, Product, and Process Leads.

Collaborate effectively with art, design, and other disciplines within game development.

Identify, recruit, interview, and hire software engineers to help teams scale effectively.

Provide technical expertise throughout the product life cycle including design, implementation, and delivery of features while continuously improving the software engineering quality and efficiency.

Build and manage strong relationships between disciplines

Lead, grow, and coach team members to build talent over the long term

Demonstrate a high bar of craft excellence for your team

Cultivate your team's culture of collaboration, creativity and passion for game making

Required Qualifications:

Experience working with visual effects, 3D, or other artists either in games or in another industry

5+ years of experience as a Software Engineer

2+ years experience directly leading an engineering team either as an Engineering Manager or Technical Lead & mentor.

2+ years experience developing in Unreal, Unity, or another game engine

Experience writing, reading, and reviewing C++

Experience collaborating across disciplines to create solutions.

Desired Qualifications:

Experience working with artists to create cosmetic content in games

Experience working with game designers to create gameplay content

Deep expertise with Unreal Engine

Familiarity working in an agile environment

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise, a collaborative spirit, and decision-making that prioritizes the delight of players and fans. We will be looking at your past studies, experience, and your personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about the experiences of players, this could be the role for you!

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.

At Riot Games, we put players first . That mission drives every decision in our quest to create games and experiences that make it better to be a player. 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. And just like in our games, we’re better when we work together. Our goal is to create collaborative teams where you are empowered to bring your unique perspective everyday. If that sounds like the kind of place you want to work, we’re looking forward to your application.

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.