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Riot Games Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

At Riot Games, we're committed to delivering unforgettable esports experiences to fans around the globe. Riot engineers bring deep knowledge of specific technical areas but also value the opportunity ...

At Riot Games, we're committed to delivering unforgettable esports experiences to fans around the globe. Riot engineers bring deep knowledge of specific technical areas but also value the opportunity ...

Showing results 41-60

Riot Games Developer information

See California salary details

$32.1K

$107K

$177.6K

How much do riot games developer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for riot games developer in California is $107,050.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,400.00 and $122,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Riot Games developer?

A Riot Games Developer is a software engineer, game designer, or tech professional who works on developing, maintaining, and improving Riot Games' titles, such as League of Legends, VALORANT, and Teamfight Tactics. These developers specialize in various areas like gameplay programming, backend services, AI, or graphics engineering. Their role includes writing code, debugging issues, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring high-quality player experiences. Riot values a player-focused approach, meaning developers continuously iterate on features based on player feedback.

What does a Riot Games developer do?

A typical workday for a Riot Games Developer involves writing and reviewing code, participating in sprint planning, troubleshooting bugs, and collaborating with artists, designers, and QA testers to bring game features to life. Developers often engage in cross-functional meetings to align technical solutions with creative and gameplay goals while ensuring stable performance and scalability. The role requires frequent communication with other departments to ensure new features are integrated smoothly and meet the high standards expected by players. This collaborative environment fosters continuous learning and professional growth, making it both challenging and rewarding.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a Riot Games developer?

To thrive as a Riot Games Developer, you need a strong background in software engineering, proficiency in programming languages such as C++, C#, or Java, and a solid understanding of game development principles. Familiarity with industry-standard engines like Unreal or Unity, version control systems like Git, and a track record of collaborating on large-scale projects is highly desirable. Excellent communication, creative problem-solving, and a passion for gaming are soft skills that set candidates apart in this dynamic environment. These skills ensure that developers can contribute high-quality code, work effectively within teams, and help deliver engaging player experiences.

How can I get a job as a Riot Games developer?

To become a Riot Games developer, candidates typically need a strong background in software development, proficiency in programming languages such as C++ or Python, and experience with game development tools and engines like Unreal or Unity. Applying through Riot's official careers page, building a portfolio of relevant projects, and demonstrating teamwork and problem-solving skills are important steps in the hiring process.

How to become a Riot Games developer?

To become a Riot Games developer, candidates typically need a strong background in computer science, software engineering, or related fields, along with proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Python, or Java. Relevant experience in game development, knowledge of game engines like Unreal or Unity, and skills in problem-solving and teamwork are also important. Applying through Riot's careers website and demonstrating a portfolio of relevant projects can improve chances of selection.

What cities in California are hiring for Riot Games Developer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Riot Games Developer job openings:

Infographic showing various Riot Games Developer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,050 per year, or $51.5 per hour.

Manager, Software Engineering, Gameplay AI - VALORANT

Riot Games

Los Angeles, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Guide a team of engineers in building systems, behaviors, and machine-learning-driven capabilities for AI development.

  • Manage and develop a team of 4-8 engineers, providing feedback, coaching, and performance management.

  • Contribute to technical design, review code, and ensure high engineering standards to support the team's technical quality.


Job description

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.
Want to lead AI development for the world's largest competitive tactical shooter? As Engineering Manager on the VALORANT team, you will guide a group of engineers building the systems, behaviors, and machine-learning-driven capabilities. You will lead a passionate team of engineers in supporting the ongoing needs of a large and geographically diverse development team. You will bring management and development experience, strong technical judgment, and a passion for advocating for both players and developers.
Responsibilities:
  • Manage a group of 4-8 engineers across experience levels, providing regular feedback and performance management. Coach and develop your engineering team to grow in their roles, develop technical skills, and improve their effectiveness.
  • Develop and communicate the technical vision for your team, working with design, production, and game leadership partners to ensure consistency with overall product goals. Communicate and evangelize this vision to your team clearly.
  • Advocate for players, your team, and internal development customers when deciding what to build and why. Coordinate and work effectively with other teams across Riot working on AI and ML technology.
  • Serve as a technical backstop by contributing to code as appropriate, reviewing technical designs, and ensuring strong engineering practices and architectural rigor. Ensure high technical quality of what your team produces.
  • Foster a collaborative, challenging, and satisfying environment for your development team. Find and surface issues, opportunities, and address them head-on. Celebrate wins.
  • Be a standard-bearer and role model of Riot values for your team and others.
  • Resolve conflict and respond to emergent issues.
  • Other reasonable activities required by management

Required Qualifications:
  • 5+ years of experience as a hands-on Software Engineer
  • 2+ years experience directly leading an engineering team of at least 4 as an Engineering Manager and/or Engineering Lead
  • 2+ years experience developing in Unreal, Unity, or another game engine
  • 2+ years experience with game AI technologies (behavior trees, perception systems, etc.) and/or ML technologies (data science, machine learning, model training and inference, etc.)
  • Experience writing, reading, and reviewing C++
  • Experience working in complex, large-scale game or engine codebases
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills across disciplines

Desired Qualifications:
  • Experience developing games for Xbox and PlayStation console platforms
  • 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!
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 $192,500.00 - $269,400.00 USD + incentive compensation + equity + 401K with company match + medical, dental, vision, and life insurance + short and long-term disability + open PTO.
  • (Mercer Island only) Base salary range between $192,500.00 - $269,400.00 USD + incentive compensation + equity + 401K with company match + medical, dental, vision, and life insurance + short and long-term disability + open PTO.

Riot Games logo

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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