Senior Software Engineer, SDK Foundations

About the role

This position centers on client foundations, where you own the full lifecycle of critical SDKs that enable player value across all Riot games. You design reference architecture for cross-platform solutions, build Unreal plugins that connect client logic with platform services, and partner with product teams to turn ambitious ideas into stable, high-impact features. Your responsibilities include defining technical designs, enforcing rigorous quality standards, and operating services that serve millions of players worldwide.

Core responsibilities

You will architect and maintain client-side SDKs that run on console, desktop, and mobile, ensuring performance, reliability, and consistency across platforms. You will develop Unreal plugins that integrate these SDKs with Riot's distributed platform services under heavy load. You will create reference implementations, lead architectural and code reviews, and translate product goals into technically sound, executable solutions. You will refine release processes, define observability strategies, and balance immediate delivery needs with long-term platform stability. You will also participate in on-call rotations to support production issues and uphold continuous ownership of your services.

Required qualifications

You hold a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field, or have equivalent professional experience. You bring a minimum of four years of hands-on experience building resilient systems with C++ 14 or newer. You have at least two years of experience developing plugins or gameplay components in Unreal Engine 4.2x or 5.x. You have a track record of contributing to large codebases that serve millions of active users, and you are experienced with continuous development and deployment at scale. You can communicate effectively with both technical and nontechnical stakeholders while solving complex, ambiguous problems.

Desired qualifications

Experience with scripting languages such as Python or TypeScript to accelerate tooling and automation is valued. Experience with telemetry platforms like Data Dog or Sentry for observability and debugging is also preferred. Additional consideration is given to candidates who have built client applications or SDKs that rely on highly distributed systems and globally deployed platforms.

Team culture and impact

Success in this role depends on craft expertise, a collaborative mindset, and decision-making that prioritizes your fellow Rioters, who are the primary consumers of your work. A genuine passion for games is not required, but an understanding of player-centric outcomes is essential. You will shape the foundations that allow game teams to deliver social experiences, commerce and payments, accounts and identity, and other critical capabilities.

Compensation and location

This role is based in Los Angeles, USA, and is a full-time position. The compensation range is $180,000 USD to $240,000 USD, reflective of the scope and impact of the role.

Perks and benefits

Riot focuses on work and life balance, supported by open paid time off and flexible work schedules. The role includes medical, dental, and life insurance, parental leave for you and your family, and a 401k with company match. More details are available on the official Riot benefits pages.

Practical next steps

Please Ensure your materials highlight relevant experience in C++, Unreal Engine, large-scale systems, and cross-functional collaboration.

What you'll do

• Architect and maintain client-side SDKs that run on console, desktop, and mobile, ensuring performance, reliability, and consistency across platforms.
• Develop Unreal plugins that integrate these SDKs with Riot's distributed platform services under heavy load, optimizing for scale and stability.
• Design reference implementations that serve as blueprints for cross-platform solutions and accelerate feature delivery for product teams.
• Lead architectural and code reviews to uphold rigorous quality standards and enforce best practices across the organization.
• Translate product goals into technically sound, executable solutions that balance ambitious ideas with pragmatic implementation constraints.
• Refine release processes to streamline deployment, reduce risk, and improve the reliability of shipped features.
• Define and implement observability strategies using telemetry platforms to monitor SDK health and drive data-informed improvements.
• Balance immediate delivery needs with long-term platform stability, ensuring that foundational work supports both tactical and strategic objectives.
• Participate in on-call rotations to support production issues, responding promptly to incidents and upholding continuous ownership of services.
• Collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, and designers to align SDK capabilities with evolving product roadmaps and player needs.
• Advocate for robust testing practices, including automated tests, integration checks, and performance benchmarks, to safeguard against regressions.
• Mentor engineers across the organization on effective use of SDKs, fostering a culture of quality and shared learning.
• Drive documentation and knowledge-sharing initiatives that clarify SDK behavior, usage patterns, and troubleshooting steps for internal consumers.
• Explore emerging technologies and patterns that can enhance the resilience, scalability, and developer experience of client-side foundations.
• Partner with platform teams to align SDK design with broader infrastructure initiatives and standards across Riot's global systems.

Requirements

• Hold a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field, or possess equivalent professional experience that demonstrates comparable knowledge and skills.
• Bring a minimum of four years of hands-on experience building resilient systems using C++ 14 or newer, with a strong grasp of modern language features and best practices.
• Accumulate at least two years of experience developing plugins or gameplay components in Unreal Engine 4.2x or 5.x, including debugging and optimization in real-world environments.
• Demonstrate a track record of contributing to large codebases that serve millions of active users, navigating complexity with discipline and foresight.
• Show experience with continuous development and deployment at scale, including familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, version control, and automated testing.
• Communicate effectively with both technical and nontechnical stakeholders, articulating trade-offs and solving complex, ambiguous problems under constraints.
• Exhibit ownership and accountability in production settings, including responsiveness to incidents and commitment to service reliability.
• Collaborate comfortably within cross-functional teams, aligning priorities and delivering outcomes in fast-paced, matrixed environments.
• Adhere to established coding standards, design principles, and security practices, ensuring that implementations are maintainable and extensible.
• Willingness to engage in on-call responsibilities and support production services as part of a distributed engineering organization.

Nice to have

• Leverage scripting languages such as Python or TypeScript to build tools that accelerate development and automate repetitive tasks.
• Utilize telemetry platforms like Data Dog or Sentry to implement observability and streamline debugging efforts across client and server systems.
• Build client applications or SDKs that interface with highly distributed systems and globally deployed platforms, demonstrating familiarity with scaling challenges.

Practical notes

This is a full-time position based in Los Angeles, USA. Compensation details are provided separately. No additional information on hours, travel, or visa requirements is specified in the source material.