Staff Research Scientist - Tech Research

Tech Research performs applied research to accelerate the pace of building AI enabled applications for our game teams and to establish AI as a core capability at Riot.

In this role, you will lead the engagement with an R&D game team to develop AI agents that can play the game like a human at a high skill level. You will be responsible for the end-to-end development of the agent as well as any infrastructure required to train the agent or integrate the agent into features required by the game teams.

Responsibilities

• Propose, implement, and evaluate algorithms that can play games like a human at a high skill level
• Work with game teams to propose, define, and develop AI enabled features (e.g. practice opponents, metagame analysis, player coaching)
• Define and gather game state from the game server needed for training
• Optimize a distributed deep learning training infrastructure including algorithms, hyperparameters, CPU, memory, and I/O
• Inform and manage stakeholders on game teams

Required Experience

• MS in Computer Science or equivalent with 6+ years relevant experience or BS in Computer Science or equivalent with 8+ years relevant experience
• 3+ years experience in deep learning
• 2+ years experience in reinforcement learning
• PyTorch or TensorFlow
• Familiarity with GCP or AWS
• Ability to read research papers and implement similar ideas

Desired Experience

• Knowledge of fundamentals of game theory 
• Game development / game engine (Unreal) experience
• Distributed computing systems design

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise and a collaborative spirit that prioritizes the delight of players. We will look at your past studies and experience, but for this role, we also look for dedicated people with a personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about players' experiences, this is the role for you!

Our Perks

Riot focuses on work/life balance, shown by our open paid time off policy and other perks such as flexible work schedules. We offer medical, dental, and life insurance, parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and children, and a 401k with company match. Check out our benefits pages for more information.

Riot Games fosters a player and workplace experience that values teamwork embodied by the Summoner's Code and Community Code. Our culture embraces differences as a strength, and our values are the guiding principles for how we approach work. We are committed to putting diversity and inclusion (D&I) at the center of everything we do, and promoting a fair and collaborative culture where Rioters treat one another with dignity and respect. We encourage you to read more about our value of thriving together and our ongoing work to build the most inclusive company in Gaming.

It’s our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and members of Riot Games, Inc. Riot Games makes reasonable accommodations for handicapped and disabled Rioters and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, handicap, veteran status, marital status, criminal history, or any other category protected by applicable federal and state law. We consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the Washington Fair Chance Act.

Per the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the following core duties may create a basis for disqualifying candidates with relevant criminal histories:

• Safeguarding confidential and sensitive Company data
• Communication with others, including Rioters and third parties such as vendors, and/or players, including minors
• Accessing Company assets, secure digital systems, and networks
• Ensuring a safe interactive environment for players and other Rioters

These duties are directly related to essential operations, safety, trust, and compliance obligations within our organization. Please note that job duties may evolve based on business needs and additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to maintain operational efficiency and security.