Principal Technical Product Manager - VALORANT, AI/ML

Technical Product Managers combine deep technical knowledge and experience with product leadership capabilities which are needed to enable Riot Games to deliver key products and experiences to make it better to be a player. You will develop and execute strategies on Riot's products and technologies while leading diverse teams to deliver creative solutions to our most difficult technical and experiential challenges.

As a Principal Technical Product Manager on VALORANT Studio Data, focused on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning applications, you will not be bound to a single feature team. Instead, you will act as a strategic force multiplier, assessing VALORANT'S entire product landscape to identify where Machine Learning and Generative AI can improve the players experience. You will serve as a key lieutenant to leadership across the game, identifying product opportunities that will empower fellow Rioters or surprise and delight players. You will move fluidly between high-level strategy and deep tactical execution, ensuring that when we commit to an initiative, we deliver tangible value to our players and Rioters.

Responsibilities:

• Assess VALORANT's product landscape to identify high-impact opportunities where AI can enhance development or player experience
• Develop and align generative strategy for critical product areas, prioritizing outcomes that create measurable value
• Bring strategic structure and clarity to our core AI Initiatives to ensure they are set up for long-term success
• Partner with engineering and research teams to ensure AI solutions are robust, scalable, and seamlessly integrated into workflows
• Lead cross-functional teams through influence, bridging the gap between abstract AI concepts and concrete product requirements
• Serve as a strategic proxy for leadership, stepping in to manage high-stakes opportunities with autonomy
• Translate empathy for internal developers and players into AI product experiences that solve genuine pain points

Required Qualifications: 

• 8+ years of relevant experience in Technical Product Management or a related engineering/research field
• Demonstrated experience managing products powered by Machine Learning, Large Language Models (LLMs), or Generative AI
• Proven ability to operate at a Principal level, navigating organizational complexity to drive outcomes without direct authority
• Strong technical background (CS degree or equivalent experience) allowing for credible debate on tradeoffs with Engineering Leads
• Experience translating open-ended research or ambiguous technical capabilities into concrete product roadmaps with defined milestones and success metrics

Desired Qualifications:

• Familiarity with the game development lifecycle, including art toolchains, game engines, and live ops workflows
• Experience taking a nebulous technology concept and turning it into a shipped product with clear KPIs and metrics
• Passion for games and a deep understanding of the player experience

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 $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.
• (Mercer Island 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.