Senior Software Engineer, Services - VALORANT, Player Dynamics

Riot Games

Los Angeles, USAFull-time$161,500–$227,000Posted Nov 4, 2026

About the role

Riot engineers bring deep knowledge of specific technical areas but also value the opportunity to work in a variety of broader domains. As a Senior 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.

VALORANT is Riot’s take on a character-based tactical shooter (for more info on VALORANT click here!). As a Senior Software Engineer on the VALORANT Player Dynamics Team, you will be responsible for the systems that keep the game safe for all players by enforcing fair play and communication. You will be working closely with the team to react to analytics and community feedback to make VALORANT a positive, fun gaming experience for everyone.

You will report to the Engineering Manager of the Player Dynamics team.

Responsibilities:

Design, build, and deliver in-game client features enabling players to have a world-class experience

Collaborate closely with producers, game designers, and UX experts

Own building features from in-game all the way down to the backend service implementation

Design, build, and deliver large scale backend services to support millions of players

Build and support live services for the game (this role involves an on-call commitment)

Required Qualifications

4+ years of experience as a software engineer

BS degree or equivalent experience

Expertise with C++, C#, Java, Golang, or similar language(s)

Desired Qualifications

Professional experience working with cloud computing and cloud technologies

Professional experience building large scale backend systems or game services

Professional experience building player- or user-facing frontend experiences (e.g. web, mobile, game)

Experience with social systems in large scale multiplayer games, especially ones with long standing, healthy communities.

Professional or hobby experience working with Unreal Engine

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.

Responsibilities

  • Design, build, and deliver in-game client features.
  • Collaborate with producers, game designers, and UX experts.
  • Build features spanning in-game experiences and backend services.
  • Design, build, and deliver large-scale backend services for millions of players.
  • Build and support live game services, including an on-call commitment.

Qualifications

  • At least 4 years of experience as a software engineer.
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
  • Expertise in C++, C#, Java, Golang, or a similar programming language.
  • Experience with cloud technologies, large-scale backend systems, game services, or player-facing frontend experiences is desired.
  • Experience with social systems in large-scale multiplayer games or Unreal Engine is desired.

Benefits

  • Incentive compensation and equity.
  • 401(k) with company match.
  • Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
  • Short- and long-term disability coverage.
  • Open paid time off and flexible work schedules.
  • Parental leave.

Skills mentioned

C++C#JavaGoBackend DevelopmentDistributed SystemsCloud ComputingSystem DesignFrontend DevelopmentMicroservices

About Riot Games

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. Founded by Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill, Riot is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, and has 4,500+ Rioters in 20+ offices worldwide. Riot has been featured on numerous lists including Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For,” “25 Best Companies to Work in Technology,” “100 Best Workplaces for Millennials,” and “50 Best Workplaces for Flexibility.” Riot Games recruiters will never ask for money or request sensitive information, and they'll always reach out from an @riotgames.com email address. You can learn more about Riot’s interview process here: https://www.riotgames.com/en/work-with-us/interviewing-at-riot/interview-process

Computer Games1,001-5,000 employeesLos Angeles, CA

H-1B sponsorship history

Historical employer filing data was found for Riot Games. The employer record includes 506 historical certified applications. This is employer-level history, not a guarantee that this role currently offers sponsorship.