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Riot Games

Principal Game Designer, Combat & Controls - Unpublished R&D Project

Riot Games · Los Angeles, USA

Posted 22 days ago

or apply directly on Riot Games's site. We never take the application ourselves.

Is this posting real?

This role has been open
22 days
Riot Games's roles stay open a median of 45 days
Reposted
No
Salary listed
No
3% of Riot Games's roles list one
Ghost-job risk at Riot Games
high
66 stale, 3 reposted of 107 open
Hiring momentum
225 roles opened in the last 90 days
↑ up vs. the prior 90 days
Last confirmed on the employer's board
2026-09-17

Measured from postings appearing on and disappearing from Riot Games's own greenhouse board since 2026-08-03. Full hiring picture for Riot Games.

About this role

As a Principal Game Designer focused on combat and controls for an unpublished R&D project, you will lead the design of core gameplay systems, tackling complex design challenges in an early-stage environment. Your role involves prototyping and iterating on gameplay mechanics, collaborating closely with cross-disciplinary teams, and mentoring other designers. You will also establish design frameworks and quality standards to enhance gameplay experiences and inform long-term gameplay direction.

Our read on this posting3.0out of 5
benefits
3/5
freshness
4/5
career value
4/5
role clarity
4/5
pay transparency
0/5

Scored from the posting itself — how clearly the role is described, how much it says about pay and benefits, and how recently it was listed. Not a judgement of Riot Games as an employer.

What you need

  • 8+ years of professional experience in game design
  • Deep experience designing, prototyping, and iterating on core gameplay systems
  • Strong expertise in combat design, controls, targeting, camera, and gameplay feel
  • Experience owning large, complex design spaces and delivering high-impact player-facing outcomes
  • Experience working in ambiguous or exploratory development environments where fast learning and iteration matter
  • Experience partnering closely with engineers to develop and refine gameplay systems from concept through implementation

Nice to have

  • Expertise with designing for twin-stick controls
  • Experience mentoring designers and giving clear cross-disciplinary feedback that raises the craft bar for a team
  • Experience leading strategically important gameplay features and establishing frameworks or principles that improve team-wide quality and consistency
  • Experience helping teams evolve established gameplay systems and development practices through thoughtful adoption of AI-native tools and workflows
  • Experience using scripting or engine-level tools to prototype gameplay ideas directly

What you get

  • Open paid time off policy
  • Flexible work schedules
  • Medical, dental, and life insurance
  • Parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and children
  • 401k with company match

Worth weighing

  • Role involves working on an unpublished R&D project, which may lead to ambiguity in project direction
  • Emphasis on player empathy and personal relationship with games may require a strong personal passion for gaming

Summarised from Riot Games's posting. Read the full original.

Listed by Riot Games on their greenhouse job board, last confirmed open on 2026-09-17. PitchMeAI is not the employer.

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