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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Software Engineer - Developer Connections - **Company:** Riot Games - **Location:** San Francisco, CA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), C Sharp (Programming Language), C++ (Programming Language), Software Quality, Computer Programming, Python (Programming Language), Tensorflow, Software Engineering, Systems Integration, Pytorch, Large Language Models, Technical Debt, Information Technology, Build Tools, Build Process, Unreal Engine, Software Version Control - **Published:** July 18, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=bb3782292ae9e38d ## About the Role * BS in Computer Science (or equivalent experience) with 8-12 years of software engineering experience. * Extensive experience with systems integration, technical leadership, and early-stage software development. * Deep programming proficiency in C++ and at least one other language (e.g., Python, C#). * Shipped at least one AAA game or large-scale, high-concurrency live service product. * Proven track record of managing high ambiguity, setting technical strategy, and leading multi-month/year initiatives. * Practical experience utilizing, integrating, or building modern AI tools, APIs, or infrastructure. Desired Qualifications: * Experience extending or developing within Unreal Engine (C++). * Familiarity with ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow) or LLM orchestration. * Background working on shared engine technology, central tools, or platform engineering teams. * Familiarity with the League, Runeterra, and VALORANT IPs. For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise, a collaborative spirit, and decision-making that prioritizes your fellow Rioters, who are the customers of your work. Being a dedicated fan of games is not necessary for this position! ## Description * Partner with Riot's build teams to identify developer needs and improvement opportunities, aligning on technical approaches for DevCon to solve them. * Define Riot-wide standards for what "good" looks like in the Code, Build, and Release spaces, grounding them in industry best practices and team needs. * Identify and champion high-impact technology investments across Riot to ensure maximum business value. * Eliminate cross-system bottlenecks spanning local workflows, build systems, CI, release infrastructure, and developer-facing tools. * Lead the execution of multi-month to multi-year initiatives, holding engineering teams to high technical and operational standards. * Deconstruct ambiguity and complexity for teams by breaking down large problems, identifying risks, and clearly communicating trade-offs. * Drive the technical strategy for source control interaction, designing and maintaining high-performance, resilient tooling that enables thousands of global developers to sync, build, and ship friction-free. * Act as the primary advocate for Riot developers by proactively targeting latency and stability issues, automating manual processes, and improving local development speeds. * Elevate the engineering organization by setting the bar for code quality, architectural design, and operational excellence. * Bridge the gap between diverse stakeholders-including Game Studios, Security, and IT-by translating complex requirements into actionable roadmaps that balance immediate needs with long-term scalability. * Evaluate industry-standard tools against bespoke internal needs, making build-versus-buy decisions that maximize development velocity while minimizing technical debt. * Standardize technical interview bars and design specialized hiring kits for Build engineering, assisting other Riot organizations with hiring talent when needed. ## Related Videos - [The Impact of AI on Game Development and the Industry](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100297-the-impact-of-ai-on-game-development-and-the-industry) - [Modern Data Architectures need Software Engineering](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1030-modern-data-architectures-need-software-engineering) - [Machine learning in the browser with TensorFlowjs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/155-machine-learning-in-the-browser-with-tensorflowjs) - [Photonic Computing: Programming a New Class of AI Accelerators (incl. Live Coding)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100196-photonic-computing-programming-a-new-class-of-ai-accelerators-incl-live-coding) - [WeAreDevelopers LIVE - "Fun and games - and all that comes with it", Back to BASIC & more](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1719-wearedevelopers-live-fun-and-games-and-all-that-comes-with-it-back-to-basic-more) - [Building a framework-independent component library](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1679-building-a-framework-independent-component-library) ## Related Articles - [The 12 Best Jobs for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/401-the-12-best-jobs-for-software-engineers) - [What Jobs Can You Get with a Software Engineering Degree?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/398-what-jobs-can-you-get-with-a-software-engineering-degree) - [Fully Remote Software Engineer Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/447-fully-remote-software-engineer-jobs) - [How to Answer the Interview Question: “Why Do You Want to Be a Software Engineer?”](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/392-how-to-answer-the-interview-question-why-do-you-want-to-be-a-software-engineer) - [Where To Find Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/396-where-to-find-software-engineering-jobs) - [Is Software Engineering Hard?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/448-is-software-engineering-hard)