Director, Research Science - Tech Research

About this role

Technology Research at Riot exists to give the company early conviction on technologies that could redefine how games are built and played. Our work spans Game AI, Next-Generation AI Games, and Foundational Models, and we combine frontier research with hands-on prototyping to shape Riot’s long-term future. As Director of Research , you will be accountable for the performance, health, and long-term capability of a multi-disciplinary research organization spanning Research Scientists, Software Engineers, and emerging technical roles

You will build and lead the people systems that enable ambitious research to thrive. You will report to the Head of Research and partner closely on organizational strategy. The Head of Research owns research direction, technical quality bar, and research bets

You own the organizational structure, staffing, performance systems, and talent development that enable that ambition to be realized sustainably and at scale. Together, you form a complementary leadership pair: one defining scientific direction, the other building and sustaining the organization that delivers it. This is a full-time role based in Los Angeles, CA

Responsibilities: Organizational Leadership, Talent Strategy & Performance Own end-to-end organizational effectiveness across Tech Research, including performance management, leveling, compensation calibration, and career development across multiple technical craft ladders Define and execute headcount planning and staffing strategy in partnership with Research and Technology leadership, aligning talent to long-term research ambitions and roadmap priorities Translate research goals and backlog into clear capacity and capability plans, making disciplined staffing decisions across pillars and technical disciplines Maintain a high bar for talent density, ensuring researchers and engineers consistently operate at Riot’s expected level of craft and impact Lead hiring, onboarding, development, and when necessary, performance manag

Apply for this role on Riot Games’s official careers site.