Principal Software Engineer - VALORANT, Competitive

Want to lead technical development of essential VALORANT metasystems? As a Principal Software Engineer on the Compet team, you’ll be responsible for essential core systems and features used by 30 million VALORANT players per month, including matchmaking, player behavior, and Premier. You’ll work with engineers responsible for the entire stack of VALORANT, from the front end UI in Unreal to globally scaled backend microservices. You will bring broad technical experience and mentorship skill, leveling up the work of the engineers around you.

At Riot, principal software engineers gain organizational alignment by building a strong engineering vision and offering creative solutions to technical problems. They also serve as mentors for engineers, guiding their performance and finding growth opportunities delivering compelling player experiences.

• Be hands-on in development, writing excellent code that sets a high standard for other engineers.
• Define and drive the technical direction in an area spanning multiple teams.
• Champion the technical vision for your team with production and game management.
• Advocate for players, your area, and internal development customers when deciding what to build and why. Build alignment and coordinate with other teams across VALORANT when working on cross-game features.
• Serve as a technical leader on projects, designing technical solutions and reviewing others’ to anticipate disruptions or complexities. Resolve ambiguity and ensure high quality engineering across your area. Write critical portions of code and shepherd solutions to successful deployment.
• Plan and sequence the parallel rollout of major system changes using technical designs and instruction.
• Be a standard-bearer and role model of Riot values for your team and others.
• Be a force multiplier for your team. Mentor senior engineers on your team and enable them to deliver complex projects.
• Other reasonable activities required by management.

• 10+ years of experience as a hands-on software engineer
• 8+ years of experience with GoLang, C++, or equivalent languages
• 4+ years experience developing distributed systems at scale 
• Experience driving design and delivery of complex, 12+month projects, including talking to customers, planning, design, delivery, testing, and operation.
• Experience mentoring and leading other engineers

• 2+ years experience in matchmaking or competitive multiplayer systems
• Experience with Unreal Engine
• Experience in Agile processes and continuous delivery

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

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.