Software Engineering Manager, Gameplay AI/ML

About the role

This position centers on organizational design and technical leadership for AI development. You will guide a team of engineers responsible for systems, behaviors, and machine-learning capabilities within a large, global development environment. Success requires creative solutions that align engineering output with product strategy. You will mentor engineers, manage performance, and foster professional growth. The role demands strong technical judgment and a commitment to advocating for both players and internal partners.

Leadership involves translating high-level product goals into coherent technical vision. You will work closely with design, production, and game leadership to ensure team objectives support the broader product mission. Clear communication is essential to articulate this vision and secure buy-in from your engineering organization. Your decisions must consistently prioritize player delight while maintaining architectural integrity.

Key facts

What you'll do

You will design intake workflows for AI initiatives, aligning proposed scope with product strategy and available team capacity. This involves evaluating requests and prioritizing work to maximize impact.

Organizing build rituals for ML experiments is a core responsibility. You will integrate data science pipelines with engine workflows to create a seamless development rhythm. Ensuring these processes are efficient is critical for throughput.

Conducting review sessions on system designs forms part of your technical oversight. You will validate architecture against gameplay requirements and long-term stability goals. This ensures technical decisions remain sound and sustainable.

Shipping features requires coordinated release practices. You will monitor live metrics and analyze player interaction patterns to guide future iterations. This data-driven approach informs product adjustments.

Building partner agreements with data and design groups is essential. You will establish shared context to ensure AI-driven gameplay systems meet cross-functional expectations. Collaboration is key to system coherence.

Establishing standards for code quality and technical documentation falls within your scope. You will maintain these standards across your cross-functional squad to ensure consistency. High-quality output is a non-negotiable requirement.

Resolving process bottlenecks that impede delivery is a daily duty. You will analyze workflows and adapt practices to improve team efficiency. Removing obstacles allows the team to focus on execution.

Modeling Riot values in every decision is a fundamental duty. You will represent the interests of players and engineers in strategic discussions. Your actions must reflect the company's core principles.

Requirements

You bring five or more years of hands-on experience as a software engineer before transitioning into management. This background provides the credibility needed to guide technical teams.

You have two or more years of direct experience leading an engineering team of at least four people through performance cycles. This includes coaching and development responsibilities.

You apply two or more years of experience with game engines such as Unreal or Unity. You have shipped features using these tools in a professional setting.

You demonstrate two or more years of work in game AI or ML technologies. This includes areas like behavior trees, perception systems, inference systems, or model training and inference.

You read, write, and review C++ code consistently within complex environments. This skill is necessary for technical reviews and collaboration.

You navigate large-scale game or engine codebases while collaborating effectively with global teams. Experience with distributed workflows is vital.

You communicate clearly with diverse stakeholders. You translate complex technical concepts for broad audiences without losing accuracy.

Nice to have

Experience supporting console platforms such as Xbox and PlayStation in live environments is valued. Familiarity with Agile ceremonies and continuous delivery for AI-enabled products is a plus.

Skills & tools

Unreal, Unity, C++, AI, ML, data science, machine learning, model training, inference.

Practical notes

Details regarding work location, compensation, and benefits are confirmed Benefits may vary by location. Employment eligibility verification is required at the time of hire.