About the role
Riot leverages Technical Product Managers (TPMs) in situations where deep technical expertise will meaningfully improve product outcomes. As a Principal TPM focused on Artificial Intelligence, you will not be bound to a single feature team. Instead, you will act as a strategic force multiplier, assessing Riot’s entire product landscape to identify where Machine Learning and Generative AI can fundamentally transform how we make games and how players experience them.
As a Principal Technical Product Manager on Central Product, you will serve as a key lieutenant to leadership, deployed to bring structure and ambition to our most critical Initiatives. You will move fluidly between high-level strategy and deep tactical execution, ensuring that when we commit to an AI initiative, we deliver tangible value to our players and Rioters.
Responsibilities:
- Assess Riot’s product landscape to identify high-impact opportunities where AI can enhance development or player experience.
- Develop and align generative strategy for critical product areas, prioritizing outcomes that create measurable value.
- Bring strategic structure and clarity to our core AI Initiatives to ensure they are set up for long-term success.
- Author strategic proposals and "Build vs. Buy" analyses to secure alignment from executives and game teams.
- Partner with engineering and research teams to ensure AI solutions are robust, scalable, and seamlessly integrated into workflows.
- Lead cross-functional teams through influence, bridging the gap between abstract AI concepts and concrete product requirements.
- Serve as a strategic proxy for leadership, stepping in to manage high-stakes opportunities with autonomy.
- Translate empathy for internal developers and players into AI product experiences that solve genuine pain points.
Required Qualifications:
- 8+ years of relevant experience in Technical Product Management or a related engineering/research field.
- Demonstrated experience managing products powered by Machine Learning, Large Language Models (LLMs), or Generative AI.
- Proven ability to operate at a Principal level, navigating organizational complexity to drive outcomes without direct authority.
- Strong technical background (CS degree or equivalent experience) allowing for credible debate on tradeoffs with Engineering Leads.
- Experience translating open-ended research or ambiguous technical capabilities into concrete product roadmaps with defined milestones and success metrics.
Desired Qualifications:
- Familiarity with the game development lifecycle, including art toolchains, game engines, and live ops workflows.
- Experience taking a nebulous technology concept and turning it into a shipped product with clear KPIs and metrics.
- Passion for games and a deep understanding of the player experience.
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.
At Riot Games, we put players first. That mission drives every decision in our quest to create games and experiences that make it better to be a player. Whether you’re working directly on a new player-facing experience or you’re supporting the company as a whole, everyone at Riot is part of our mission. And just like in our games, we’re better when we work together. Our goal is to create collaborative teams where you are empowered to bring your unique perspective
Aplyr's read
Riot Games is a powerhouse in the gaming world, attracting talent passionate about esports and community-driven game development.
What's promising
- •Riot Games has a strong focus on community engagement, fostering a dedicated player base.
- •The company is a leader in esports, providing numerous opportunities for growth in competitive gaming.
- •Riot invests heavily in research and development, driving innovation in gaming technology.
What to watch
- •Work-life balance can be challenging due to the fast-paced nature of the gaming industry.
- •There is pressure to maintain the high success of flagship titles like League of Legends.
- •The company faces intense competition from other major game developers and publishers.
Why Riot Games
- •Riot Games is renowned for its strong esports ecosystem, influencing global gaming culture.
- •The company emphasizes player feedback, integrating community input into game development.
- •Riot's diverse role offerings span from creative arts to cutting-edge tech, attracting varied talent.
Aplyr’s read is generated by AI from public sources. Was it useful?
About Riot Games
Riot Games is a leading video game developer and publisher known for creating popular titles such as League of Legends and Valorant. The company has significantly impacted the gaming industry by fostering a strong esports ecosystem and community engagement.
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