Job Description
About the role
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You will be responsible for designing and building the core social and purchasing infrastructure for an unannounced research and development project at Riot Games. This position involves leading a small engineering team, guiding technical strategy, and ensuring alignment with product and design goals. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to develop scalable, reliable systems that enhance player social interactions and in-game commerce experiences. The role requires a combination of technical expertise, leadership skills, and a strong understanding of game systems to deliver impactful features that support Riot's player community and business objectives.
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Key facts
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Location: Sydney, Australia
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Engagement: Full-time
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Job ID: REQ-*******
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Internal Title: Software Engineer III
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Team: Tech Foundations
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What you'll do
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Develop and define the long-term technical roadmap for social and store features, working within a small engineering team of 2 to 4 engineers.
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Design, build, and implement the core architecture for in-game social interactions, including friend systems, messaging, and community features, as well as commerce systems such as in-game store and purchasing flows.
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Collaborate with product managers, designers, and other stakeholders to translate product requirements and user experience designs into detailed technical specifications and scalable solutions.
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Lead the development of systems that support social and store features, ensuring they are robust, scalable, and maintainable across different game titles and platforms.
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Coordinate with production teams and management to advocate for technical designs, project timelines, and resource allocation, ensuring delivery aligns with business priorities.
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Work with internal Riot teams, external vendors, and global stakeholders to optimize product outcomes, troubleshoot issues, and implement improvements.
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Establish engineering standards, best practices, and code quality guidelines for the team to ensure high-quality deliverables.
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Mentor engineers at various levels of seniority, supporting their professional growth and fostering a collaborative engineering culture.
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Maintain compliance with internal safety protocols and global regulatory standards related to commerce and social systems, including data privacy and security requirements.
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Participate in code reviews, technical discussions, and documentation efforts to promote knowledge sharing and continuous improvement within the team.
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Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in social systems, e-commerce, and game development to inform technical decisions and innovations.
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Support the integration of social and store features with existing game systems, ensuring seamless user experiences and system performance.
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Contribute to the development of tools and backend services that connect game clients with server-side systems, enabling efficient updates and feature rollouts.
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Assist in troubleshooting and resolving technical issues related to social and commerce features during live operations, ensuring minimal downtime and optimal player experience.
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Collaborate with QA and testing teams to ensure features meet quality standards and are thoroughly validated before release.
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Document system designs, technical specifications, and best practices to facilitate onboarding and knowledge retention within the team.
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Requirements
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A minimum of 8 years of professional software engineering experience, including work on live or released products at scale.
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At least 3 years of experience working with game-related systems such as platform services, e-commerce, or social features.
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Proficiency in C++ programming and experience with Unreal Engine development.
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Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
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Demonstrated ability to manage ambiguous project requirements and influence stakeholders across multiple departments and teams.
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Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to design scalable, reliable, and maintainable systems.
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Excellent communication skills,



capable of articulating technical concepts to non-technical partners and collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
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Experience working in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities, and delivering high-quality results under tight deadlines.
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Knowledge of software development best practices, including version control, testing, and documentation.
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Ability to work on-site in Sydney, Australia, as this is an on-site role.
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Nice to have
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Experience with entitlement systems, third-party platform integrations, and in-game purchasing workflows.
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Background in developing tools that connect backend services with game clients, enabling efficient data flow and feature updates.
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Knowledge of social system architecture, player engagement mechanics, and community-building features.
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Prior experience mentoring technical leads and shaping engineering culture within a team or organization.
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Experience working on distributed teams across different locations and time zones.
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Familiarity with AI-assisted development workflows and emerging technologies in game development.
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Skills & tools
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C++ programming language
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Unreal Engine development environment
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Practical notes
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Riot Games offers a comprehensive perks package, including open paid time off, paid parental leave for primary and secondary carers, and flexible work schedules to support work-life balance.
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The company provides medical insurance coverage for employees and their dependents, along with an employee assistance program, wellness fund, and donation matching to support community engagement and personal well-being.
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In office amenities include dedicated gaming areas, a play fund for team activities, and office snacks to foster a collaborative and enjoyable work environment.
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Riot encourages continuous professional development, offering opportunities for learning, training, and career growth within the company.
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This role requires on-site presence in Sydney, Australia, and is not remote or hybrid. Candidates must be prepared to work at the physical office location.
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The team values diversity and inclusion, welcoming applicants from various backgrounds to contribute to Riot's vibrant community and innovative projects.
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📌 Staff Software Engineer, Social & Store (New South Wales)
🏢 Riot Games
📍 New South Wales