Riot engineers bring deep knowledge of specific technical areas but also value the opportunity to work in a variety of broader domains. As a Staff Software Engineer, you’ll also dive into projects that focus on team cohesiveness and cross-team objectives. You’ll lead without authority and provide other engineers with a clear illustration of extraordinary engineering.
As a Staff Software Engineer within Research & Development, you will be responsible for the design and implementation of AI systems for an early stage R&D product. This will include decision making, behaviors, pathing, and any other related features required to bring our enemy characters and friendly bots to life. The ideal candidate is passionate, driven, and wants to guide the technical vision of this area of the game. You have a sense of what makes AI fun, enjoy being part of the design process, and are excited about unlocking the team’s creativity. You will also contribute to other areas of the game as needed. Reporting to the Engineering Manager, you will partner with the other disciplines and provide technical leadership to make the product’s vision a reality.
Responsibilities:
- Architect and implement AI systems that support the product needs
- Work with design and art on the implementation of specific characters including their behaviors, dynamics, and interactions
- Establish AI performance budgets to be followed by design and art
- Contribute towards all aspects of the game when needed
- Help set the technical direction and standards for the team
- Author high-quality performant code that builds on and improves existing tech
- Mentor other engineers on the team
Required Qualifications:
- 6+ years of AI or gameplay development experience
- 1+ years of experience as team AI or gameplay Technical Lead
- Developed AI for shipped games including character behaviors, pathing, squad combat tactics, etc
- Knowledge of current AI techniques used in game development
- Experience with core gameplay systems like animation, physics, and networking
- Excellent debugging and optimizing skills
- Strong OO programming experience
- Experience collaborating with teammates across multiple disciplines
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience with Unreal Engine
- Experience with art pipelines and design tools
- Ability to contribute towards all aspects of a game
- Strong game design sensibilities
Our Perks:
We offer medical, dental, and vision plans that cover you, your spouse/domestic partner, and children. Life insurance, parental leave, plus short-term and long-term disability coverage are also available. Riot will support your retirement benefits with a company match, and double down on your donations of time and money to non-profit charitable organizations. Balance between work and personal life is encouraged with open paid time off, and a play fund so you can broaden and deepen your personal relationship with games.
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, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance relating to an applicant's criminal history (LAMC 189.00).
