Riot Games - Senior Technical Artist, Environment

Job Overview

Role Overview & Compensation

Details

$185,200 – $258,000 USD

Incentive Bonus + Equity + 401(k) Match

Houdini, Unreal Engine 5 (PCG), Python, Blueprints

Procedural Workflows, Biome Systems, Pipeline Efficiency

Full-Time (Los Angeles HQ)

The Mission: Engineering the World of Runeterra

At Riot Games, we believe that an MMO is more than a game—it is a second home for millions of players. On the Unpublished R&D MMO team , we are not just building levels; we are architecting an entire world. We are looking for a Senior Technical Artist, Environment who views worldbuilding as a marriage of creative expression and systemic engineering.

In this role, you will develop the systems, tools, and workflows that enable the creation of expansive, diverse, and evolving environments across Runeterra. This world is not a static backdrop; it is a living, responsive element of the player experience. Your work will empower the environment art team to build at a massive scale while maintaining the high visual fidelity, peak performance, and creative flexibility required for a project that will thrive for years to come.

As a Senior Environment Technical Artist, you are a hybrid: part toolmaker, part collaborator, and part artist. You will partner closely with Environment Art, Tech Art, and Engineering to develop robust procedural workflows and modular asset systems. Your goal is to make large-scale, high-fidelity worldbuilding not just possible, but highly efficient.

Role Breakdown & Compensation

Riot Games offers a highly competitive total rewards package. This role is based in our Los Angeles headquarters and features a salary range designed for top-tier industry talent.

Compensation & Benefits Details

$185,200.00 – $258,000.00 USD

Annual performance-based bonuses

Comprehensive equity packages included

401(k) with company match

Open PTO Policy and flexible work schedules

Premium Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance

Parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and children

Short and long-term disability coverage

Core Responsibilities

Your day-to-day will involve high-level strategy and hands-on execution. You will report to the Tech Art Lead and work across several key domains:

1. Tool & Pipeline Development

• Scalable Creation: Build and maintain procedural and targeted tools that support scalable environment asset creation using Houdini , Unreal Engine 5 , and custom pipelines.

• Modular Workflows: Author tools that enable modularity, covering everything from terrain generation and biome setup to complex foliage systems and world composition.

• UE5 Specialization: Develop and maintain Unreal Engine 5 environment tools, specifically leveraging PCG (Procedural Content Generation) , landscape systems, and advanced material workflows.

2. Collaborative Worldbuilding

• Prototyping: Contribute hands-on to worldbuilding by working directly in-engine to prototype asset fidelity, modular kits, and visual consistency across biomes.

• Cross-Discipline Partnership: Partner with Environment Artists and Level Designers to ensure tools meet creative needs while driving performance, reusability, and efficiency.

• Technical Support: Provide environment-focused technical support and problem-solving, helping unblock teams and identifying improvements in real-time workflows.

3. Strategic R&D & Scalability

• Pipeline Optimization: Proactively identify bottlenecks in content pipelines and propose systemic, scalable solutions that align with the game’s long-term needs.

• Future-Proofing: Identify tech debt and pipeline inefficiencies. Explore future technology and drive strategic solutions that prepare us for the long road of live service MMO development.

• Visual Evolution: Ensure our tools keep pace with an ever-expanding ecosystem of environments, systems, and gameplay needs.

Required Qualifications & Technical Stack

We are looking for a veteran who understands the specific challenges of open-world development.

• Experience: 5+ years as a Technical Artist or Environment TD in games, with a specific focus on environment content development and at least one major project cycle completed.

• Procedural Mastery: Proven experience with Houdini or equivalent procedural systems used in games for terrain, layout, or asset generation.

• Engine Expertise: Deep familiarity with Unreal Engine 5’s worldbuilding suite, including PCG, the material editor, world partition, and level streaming systems.

• Artistic Proficiency: Strong proficiency in 3D modeling, texturing, and lighting, with working knowledge of standard industry tools like Maya , Blender , 3ds Max , or ZBrush .

• Scripting/Logic: Proficiency in Python , Blueprints , or similar languages to build tools, automate workflows, and create custom editor utilities.

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrated ability to work cross-discipline and support artists, designers, and engineers through technical collaboration and iterative tool design.

Desired Qualifications (The “Plus” Factors)

• Experience building or supporting large-scale open worlds , MMOs, or multiplayer games with persistent environments.

• Proficiency with Substance Designer , Houdini Copernicus , or other procedural texture generation tools.

• A strong eye for environmental storytelling and an interest in translating narrative needs into scalable technical solutions.

• Familiarity with the League of Legends (LoL) IP and its unique aesthetic.

Portfolio Requirements

To be considered for this role, please include a portfolio or reel that showcases:

1. Procedural Tools: Examples of workflows you’ve developed (e.g., terrain generation, biome tools, or spline tools).

2. In-Engine Worldbuilding: Demonstrable work showing asset integration and world composition.

3. Process Documentation: Breakdowns that highlight how your tools contributed to scale, speed, or creative flexibility.

Culture, Perks & The “Rioter” Experience

At Riot Games, we put players first . This 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.

Work/Life Balance: We focus on sustainable development. This is reflected in our open paid time off policy and flexible work schedules. We want you to be as passionate about your life outside of the office as you are about the world of Runeterra.

Diversity & Inclusion: Riot Games is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Our goal is to create collaborative teams where you are empowered to bring your unique perspective every day. We make reasonable accommodations for handicapped and disabled Rioters and do not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, or veteran status.

Compliance & Fair Chance Notice

Riot Games complies with all local, state, and federal employment laws.

Fair Chance Ordinance: In accordance with the California Fair Chance Act and the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance , we consider all qualified applicants for employment, including those with criminal histories. Please note that for this specific role, certain core duties may create a basis for disqualification if a relevant criminal history exists. These duties are directly related to essential operations and security:

• Safeguarding Data: Protection of confidential and sensitive Company data and R&D intellectual property.

• Communication: Engaging with Rioters and third parties (vendors/players), including potential interactions with minors.

• Digital Access: Accessing Company assets, secure digital systems, and internal networks.

• Environment Safety: Ensuring a safe interactive environment for players and other Rioters.

Job duties may evolve based on business needs, and additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to maintain operational efficiency and security.

Final Thought

For this role, you’ll find success through craft expertise and a collaborative spirit that prioritizes the delight of players. We look for dedicated people with a personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about the “feel” of a world, we look forward to your application.