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Principal Gameplay Programmer Jobs in California

Roblox

Principal Software Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$153K - $206K/yr

As a Principal Software Engineer of the Game Engine data model team, you will innovate on the core data structures that form the backbone of Roblox's platform. In this role you will have first hand ...

Roblox

Principal Software Engineer, Game Safety

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$153K - $206K/yr

As a Principal Software Engineer on Game Safety, you'll work on some of the most challenging problems we face. You will transform our experience safety efforts into a scale-oriented, near-real-time ...

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Infographic showing various Principal Gameplay Programmer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution.

Principal Software Engineer, Rendering - Unpublished R&D Product

Riot Games

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$145K - $195K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

Riot engineers bring deep knowledge of specific technical areas but also value the opportunity to work in a variety of broader domains. Riot engineers bring deep knowledge of specific technical areas but also value the opportunity to work in a variety of broader domains. As a Principal Software Engineer, you'll work alongside other engineers to implement technical solutions at a company-wide scale. You'll collaborate with teams to ensure high quality and stack applicability, and provide other engineers with a clear illustration of extraordinary engineering.
As a Principal Software Engineer focused on graphics on the unpublished MMO team, you are responsible for helping Riot build and deliver a brand new game! You will keep the players' experience in mind as you build rendering systems and engine features to support one of our new games. You will also work collaboratively with artists, designers, and producers to deliver genre-defining visual experiences to our players. You will also report to the Engineering Manager of the project.
Responsibilities:
  • Be the rendering expert of the team
  • Help build the engine technology that powers one of our new AAA games
  • Deeply understand how rendering systems are interlinked and proactively work across departments to shepherd best practices and advise on all things rendering-related
  • Work collaboratively with the art team to help realize the overall vision of the game
  • Work to monitor and increase the performance of the game client
  • Build, implement, and improve tools for artists across multiple platforms
  • Work to resolve pipeline issues and to identify areas for improvement

Required Qualifications:
  • 8+ years of professional programming experience as a rendering engineer
  • 2+ years experience as a technical lead
  • Experience working with various game engines (i.e. Unreal, Unity, etc.)
  • BS or equivalent experience
  • Familiarity working in an agile environment
  • Experience with multithreaded programming
  • Experience working on an MMO

Desired Qualifications:
  • Familiarity with working with and extending tools like Maya
  • Expert in low-level optimization of C++
  • Experience with asset pipelines, version control, and data-driven rendering architectures
  • Experience with Nanite
  • Experience with procedural content generation tools (i.e. Houdini, UE5 PCG, etc.)

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise and a collaborative spirit that prioritizes the delight of players. We will look at your past studies and experience, but for this role, we also look for dedicated people with a personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about players' experiences, this is 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.
(Los Angeles Only) Base salary range between $229,200.00 - $319,500.00 USD + incentive compensation + equity + 401K with company match + medical, dental, vision, and life insurance + short and long-term disability + open PTO.
  • (Los Angeles Only) Base salary range between $229,200.00 - $319,500.00 USD + incentive compensation + equity + 401K with company match + medical, dental, vision, and life insurance + short and long-term disability + open PTO.
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About Riot Games

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Riot Games was founded in 2006 by Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill with the intent to change the way video games are made and supported for players. In 2009, Riot released its debut title League of Legends to worldwide acclaim. The game has since gone on to become the most played PC game in the world and a key driver of the explosive growth of esports. Players are the foundation of our community and it's for them we continue to evolve and improve the League of Legends experience.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2006

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