Staff Software Engineer - Social & Store Systems (Unpublished R&D)

Overview

Join Riot Games as a Staff Software Engineer to pioneer the technical foundation for social interaction and store systems on a confidential research and development project. This position centers on defining architectural vision, collaborating closely with leadership, product managers, and UX designers to deliver systems that surpass player expectations while upholding rigorous social safety standards. With a leadership focus, you will guide cross-functional initiatives and mentor colleagues to ensure scalable, robust, and compliant engineering solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and guide the long-term technological roadmap for social and store integration within a small engineering team of 2-4 members.
• Design and contribute to core components of the game's social and commerce architecture.
• Lead the championing of technical direction and execution in partnership with production and management teams.
• Translate abstract product goals into concrete technical designs alongside Product and UX design partners.
• Engage with internal centralized teams, vendor partners, and Riot collaborators to optimize product outcomes.
• Spearhead multidisciplinary technical discussions ensuring UI consistency and system functionality.
• Define and uphold best practices and technical standards for the team’s architecture and software implementation.
• Mentor engineers across various experience levels and deliver constructive feedback supporting their professional growth.
• Ensure strict adherence to Riot’s global social safety and regulatory compliance standards.

Qualifications

• Over 8 years of professional software engineering experience, specifically with delivering live or widely used software products at scale.
• A minimum of 3 years working on game-related systems such as social interaction features, e-commerce platforms, or platform services.
• Strong command of C++ and familiarity with Unreal Engine development.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or equivalent practical experience.
• Ability to navigate ambiguous environments effectively and influence diverse cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication skills with both technical and non-technical audiences.

Preferred Expertise

• Hands-on experience with in-game purchase workflows, entitlement management, and third-party platform integrations.
• Proficiency in developing integrated tools spanning client and backend systems.
• Specialized knowledge of social system architectures and player engagement dynamics.
• Proven experience in mentoring senior technical leaders and fostering engineering culture.
• Experience contributing to distributed team environments.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted engineering processes.

Company Culture & Values

Success in this role is measured by technical mastery, collaborative engagement, and prioritizing player delight. Riot Games values player empathy as essential, and the company promotes diversity, inclusion, and respect through its guiding principles embodied in the Summoner's Code and Community Code.

Compensation & Benefits

This position is Sydney-based with a salary range of AUD 173,500 to AUD 260,200 annually. Riot offers flexible work schedules including open paid time off, paid parental leave for all carers, on-site amenities featuring co-op gaming zones, a play fund to deepen industry understanding, and abundant snacks. Additional perks include:

• Comprehensive medical insurance including dependents
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness funding
• Charitable donation matching (time and money)
• Professional learning and development opportunities