Manager, Software Engineering, Core Game Features - VALORANT (Mercer Island)

Riot engineers bring deep knowledge of specific technical areas but also value the chance to work in many broader domains. As an Engineering Manager, you’ll predominantly offer creative solutions to organizational design. You’ll also serve as a mentor for a team of engineers, overseeing performance management, growth opportunities, and accountability.

As a Manager, Software Engineering on the Core Game Features team , you will lead a talented group of engineers in shaping the gameplay experience of one of the world’s premier competitive tactical shooters - VALORANT . Working at the intersection of technology, design, and player experience, you will collaborate closely with cross-functional partners to deliver innovative features and meaningful enhancements across critical gameplay systems, including movement, visibility, weapons, shooting mechanics, and game modes. Beyond driving technical excellence, you will play a key role in developing and empowering your team, ensuring strong alignment between engineering execution, product vision, and long-term strategic goals. This position will report to the Engineering Leadership of VALORANT’s Core Game group.

Responsibilities

• Manage and grow a team of engineers working on core gameplay systems, live game support, and/or new game mode development.
• Coach engineers across technical craft, role effectiveness, career growth, and day-to-day execution.
• Establish and uphold engineering standards that support high-quality code, maintainable systems, and scalable technical design.
• Partner with technical leadership, design, production, and other disciplines to define team direction and deliver player-facing outcomes.
• Advocate for players, your team, and internal stakeholders when making prioritization and resourcing decisions.
• Help your team balance new feature development, gameplay system improvements, bug resolution, and incoming partner requests.
• Support the prototyping, iteration, and productionization of gameplay features and modes in close collaboration with design and cross-functional partners.
• Build clarity, alignment, and healthy execution practices across a team working in a complex live game environment.
• Model Riot’s values, encourage diverse perspectives, and foster a collaborative, high-accountability team culture.
• Address conflict, remove obstacles, and respond effectively to emerging technical and organizational challenges.

Required Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience as a hands-on Software Engineer.
• 2+ years of experience directly leading an engineering team as an Engineering Manager or Technical Lead.
• 2+ years of experience developing in Unreal, Unity, or another game engine.
• Experience writing, reading, and reviewing C++ or similar language(s).
• Experience working in complex game or engine codebases.
• Experience leading engineers working on gameplay systems or gameplay-adjacent engine technology.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills across engineering, design, production, and partner disciplines.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience collaborating closely with designers to prototype and iterate on player-facing gameplay experiences.
• Experience with Unreal Engine and C++.
• Experience with developing on consoles.
• Experience with developing multiplayer games.
• Experience developing or supporting live game features, mode development, or gameplay systems in a live service environment.
• Experience in Agile processes and continuous delivery.

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 SanFrancisco 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.