Riot Games · 1 week ago
Principal Data Scientist, ML Bots - Game Tech Group
Los Angeles, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff
8+ years expRiot Games is dedicated to enhancing player experiences through advanced ML and AI technologies. As a Principal Data Scientist specializing in applied machine learning, you will lead modeling strategies for Game Understanding Agents and mentor engineers while developing in-game AI capabilities to enhance player and developer experiences.
ComputerDeveloper PlatformPC GamesVideo Games
Responsibilities
Lead the modeling strategy for ML Bots across multiple games, focusing on training agents that can understand game state, make decisions, and act in ways that create compelling player experiences
Develop predictive features and signals from gameplay telemetry, unstructured game data, and simulation outputs, ensuring quality, interpretability, and reliability
Design and implement ML systems using methods including reinforcement learning and imitation learning (e.g., behavior cloning, inverse reinforcement learning), on-/off-policy algorithms, policy gradient methods, behavior shaping, and hybrid systems that combine learned policies with rule-based or scripted components
Define evaluation frameworks for game AI that balance generalizable approaches with genre-specific metrics, adapting methods for the needs of each title
Ensure the safety, fairness, and trustworthiness of autonomous agents operating in live player environments
Mentor senior and staff-level ML engineers in advanced ML for game AI and architectural decision-making
Collaborate with game and platform engineers, along with UX teams, to integrate models into production systems in ways that enhance player experience and maintain operational reliability
Represent the ML Bots team in multi-game forums and contribute to shared frameworks for autonomous agent development
Qualification
Required
Extensive experience (8+ years) delivering ML systems in production, including reinforcement learning, imitation learning, or simulation-based training in rich, interactive environments such as game worlds or multi-agent simulations
Proven ability to design modeling strategies and architectures adopted across multiple games or interactive products
Expertise in developing predictive features and signals from gameplay telemetry, simulation data, or other complex interactive environments
Strong track record building and optimizing agent-based systems or world models for dynamic, player-facing environments
Hands-on experience with relevant ML methods including reinforcement learning and imitation learning (such as behavior cloning and inverse reinforcement learning), on-/off-policy algorithms, policy gradient methods, behavior shaping, and hybrid systems that combine learned policies with rule-based or scripted components
Mastery of experiment design, model evaluation, and optimization for autonomous agents
Track record of incorporating human considerations into AI applications, such as responsible AI practices and human-computer interaction or UX best practices
Experience mentoring engineers and collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams
Familiarity with integrating ML-driven agents into live game environments with game and platform engineers
Benefits
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
Company
Riot Games
Riot Games is a global company that develops online games.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Riot Games has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (98)
2024 (65)
2023 (113)
2022 (80)
2021 (84)
2020 (70)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$21M2018-12-31Series Unknown· $6M
2016-11-14Convertible Note
2011-02-01Acquired
Leadership Team
A. Dylan Jadeja
Chief Executive Officer
Brandon Beck
Co-chairman, Co-founder
Recent News
GamesIndustry.biz Latest Articles Feed
2026-01-22
PCMag.com - Technology Product Reviews, News, Prices & Tips
2026-01-21
Company data provided by crunchbase