Data Engineer II - VALORANT Data Operations

Riot's Data developers build tools to understand and delight our worldwide players using petabytes of data and state-of-the-art data processing technology. Handling the potential these data offer is a tremendous and complex task. As we continue delivering and scaling content to passionate gamers, our discipline has challenges and opportunities centered on crafting, building, and maintaining data products that support our growth. Whether you are a Data Scientist modeling game systems, a Data Engineer bringing scale and efficiency to systems, or a Data Architect organizing data in ways that make data products more player-focused and dependable, we need you to help push forward our “Player Experience First” goals.

As a Data Engineer II on the VALORANT Data Operations team, you will build data products to support the games and functions of the organization. You will help the team build machine learning solutions that enhance the experience of players and Rioters. You will work with teams within Riot Data and across VALORANT on projects such as content recommendation, matchmaking, and experimentation. Your work will contribute to the maturity of a common set of solutions used by teams across VALORANT as well as across Riot. You will report to the Data Science Manager on VALORANT Data Operations. 

Responsibilities:

• Design and implement architectures that support advanced analytics, machine learning models, and real-time data processing, ensuring scalability and performance
• Develop complex data models that cater to both current and future needs focused on accessibility for large datasets
• Design and implement advanced ETL processes and data integration strategies to handle diverse data sources and formats
• Collaborate closely with game teams as well as central platform teams to understand their needs and provide solutions
• Analyze existing systems for bottlenecks and inefficiencies, and implement solutions to optimize data flow and processing for high-volume, complex datasets.
• Work on initiatives in data governance, data quality, and metadata management that ensure data accuracy, consistency, and security
• Explore and evaluate new technologies, tools, and data management practices to enhance the capabilities of the data platform
• Collaborate closely with data scientists and analysts, providing them with the data required for complex analytics, machine learning models, and data exploration
• Communicate complex data concepts and the value of data projects to stakeholders at all levels of the organization, influencing data-driven decision-making and strategy

Required Qualifications:

• 3+ years of relevant experience developing scalable data systems and data modeling
• Experience developing solutions in Spark, SQL, and Airflow or equivalent data technologies
• Experience working with Python, Golang, C++ or equivalent programming languages
• Experience either maintaining or working closely with a Data Warehouse
• Experience partnering with product and engineering teams to design and develop data focused solutions
• Experience with all aspects of the software development lifecycle from requirements gathering through deployment and continued operation
• Experience delivering on cloud computing technologies (AWS, Google, Azure)
• Experience working within the agile project management framework
• Experience leading the technical direction of projects

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience developing data processing solutions in Unreal Engine
• Experience mentoring others
  
  

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise, a collaborative spirit, and decision-making that prioritizes the delight of players. We will be looking at your past studies, experience, and your personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about players' experiences, this could be your role!

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.