Manager of Software Engineering (League of Legends, Alternate Play Modes)

Riot Games; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Riot Games in Los Angeles is seeking an Engineering Manager for the League of Legends Alternate Play Modes theme. You will lead an engineering pod delivering new game modes to the League ecosystem and drive the modernization of existing modes, reporting to the Senior Engineering Manager.

The role blends hands-on coding with people leadership: mentor engineers, ensure maintainable, scalable code, and collaborate with product managers, designers, and artists to ship player-facing UI and gameplay

Qualifications

• 2+ years in engineering management or a tech lead role in game development.
• Strong proficiency in C++ and experience with large, complex codebases.
• 8+ years of professional software engineering experience.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across disciplines.
• Proven track record of building and shipping UI/UX features in games or player-facing gameplay systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead an engineering pod delivering new game modes for League of Legends.
• Maintain and drive changes to existing game modes, modernizing them for the future.
• Report to the Senior Engineering Manager for the Alternate Play Modes theme.
• Mentor engineers, provide guidance, and support career growth.
• Contribute to implementation with a focus on UI and player-facing gameplay systems.
• Uphold engineering best practices in maintainability, scalability, testing, and docs.
• Collaborate with product managers, designers, and artists to ship rotating game modes.
• Partner with other engineering groups to ensure technical consistency and integration.

Skills

Engineering leadership

C++

UI programming

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science

Job description

• As an Engineering Manager on the League of Legends Alternate Play Modes theme, you will lead and contribute to an engineering pod that delivers new game modes to the League ecosystem for the future of league of legends
• You will maintain and help drive meaningful changes to our list of game modes, modernizing them for the future of League of Legends
• You will report to the Senior Engineering Manager for the Alternate Play Modes theme and work in a hybrid environment from our Los Angeles office
• Manage a small group of engineers, providing mentorship, guidance, and career support
• Contribute directly to implementation, with a focus on UI and player-facing gameplay systems
• Uphold engineering best practices in maintainability, scalability, testing, and documentation
• Collaborate with product managers, designers, and artists to deliver meaningful changes to our list of rotating game modes
• Partner with other engineering groups to ensure technical consistency and integration across League of Legends

Benefits

• Healthcare: Medical, dental, and vision plans that cover you as well as your spouse/domestic partner and children.
• Family Care: Life insurance, parental leave, plus short and long-term disability.
• Open Paid Time Off: In addition to holidays, a 2-week end of year break, and a 1-week mid-year break, Rioters are trusted to take the time they need throughout the year.
• Retirement: Riot matches retirement contributions so you can continue to play games long after you retire.
• Play Fund: Riot’s annual play fund allows Rioters to broaden their knowledge of the games that matter to players and the community.
• Donation Matching: Riot matches donations of time and money to nonprofits to double down on support.

2+ years in engineering management or a tech lead role in game developmentStrong proficiency in C++ and experience with large, complex codebasesFor 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!8+ years of professional software engineering experienceComfortable balancing leadership responsibilities while remaining actively hands-on with codingStrong communication skills and ability to collaborate across disciplinesBachelor’s degree in Computer Science or equivalent experienceProven track record of building and shipping UI/UX features in games or player-facing gameplay systems