Principal Software Engineer, Rendering - Unpublished R&D Product

Posted 8 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Los Angeles, CA, USA
In-Office
Senior level
eCommerce • Gaming
Riot Games is committed to changing the way video games are developed, published, and supported for players.
The Role
Lead rendering engineer building engine and rendering systems for a new AAA MMO. Collaborate with art and design to implement, optimize, and tool rendering pipelines, improve performance, and resolve asset/pipeline issues across platforms.
Summary Generated by Built In

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As a Principal Software Engineer focused on graphics on the unpublished MMO team, you are responsible for helping Riot build and deliver a brand new game!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. 


Skills Required

  • 8+ years professional programming experience as a rendering engineer
  • 2+ years experience as a technical lead
  • Experience working with various game engines (Unreal, Unity, etc.)
  • BS or equivalent experience
  • Familiarity working in an agile environment
  • Experience with multithreaded programming
  • Experience working on an MMO
  • 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 (Houdini, UE5 PCG, etc.)

Riot Games Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Riot Games and has not been reviewed or approved by Riot Games.

  • Healthcare Strength Medical, dental, and vision plans extend to employees, spouses/domestic partners, and children, with mental health and LGBTQIA+ support. Coverage breadth is reinforced by disability insurance and access to wellness and therapy programs.
  • Leave & Time Off Breadth Open Paid Time Off, company-wide end-of-year and mid-year breaks, and paid sabbaticals provide significant time to disconnect and recharge. These are complemented by holidays, sick time, and paid volunteer time.
  • Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits A Wellness Fund, Play Fund, free meals and office snacks/drinks, fitness stipends/classes, and commuter benefits add meaningful day-to-day value. Donation matching and relocation support further enhance the lifestyle component of total rewards.

Riot Games Insights

Am I A Good Fit?
beta
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.

The Company
HQ: Los Angeles, CA
4,500 Employees
Year Founded: 2006

What We Do

Since 2006, Riot Games has stayed committed to changing the way video games are developed, published, and supported for players. From our first title, League of Legends, to 2020’s VALORANT; we have strived to evolve the community with growth in Esports, and expansion from games into entertainment. Players are the foundation of Riot's community and because of them, we’re able to reach new heights.

Similar Jobs

Pika Logo Pika

Software Engineer

Information Technology
In-Office
Palo Alto, CA, USA
29 Employees
250K-350K Annually

IMC Trading Logo IMC Trading

ISCA 2026

Fintech • Machine Learning • Software • Financial Services
Remote or Hybrid
United States
1954 Employees

Snap Inc. Logo Snap Inc.

Machine Learning Engineer

Artificial Intelligence • Cloud • Machine Learning • Mobile • Software • Virtual Reality • App development
Hybrid
2 Locations
5000 Employees
178K-313K Annually
Easy Apply
Hybrid
3 Locations
4405 Employees
111K-165K Annually

Similar Companies Hiring

PRIMA Thumbnail
Travel • Software • Marketing Tech • Hospitality • eCommerce
US
15 Employees
Scotch Thumbnail
Artificial Intelligence • eCommerce • Fintech • Payments • Retail • Software • Analytics
US
35 Employees
Golden Pet Brands Thumbnail
Digital Media • eCommerce • Information Technology • Marketing Tech • Pet • Retail • Social Media
El Segundo, California
178 Employees

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account