Director, Research Science (AI)

TL;DR

Director, Research Science (AI): Leading a multi-disciplinary research organization focused on Game AI, Next-Generation AI Games, and Foundational Models with an accent on organizational effectiveness, talent strategy, and performance management. Focus on building a culture of intellectual rigor, resolving conflicts, and ensuring the research organization is structured to execute against evolving research bets.

Location: Must be based in Los Angeles, CA, USA

Salary: $292,300.00 - $437,900.00 USD + incentive compensation + equity + 401K with company match + medical, dental, vision, and life insurance + short and long-term disability + open PTO.

Company

Riot Games is focused on creating games and experiences that make it better to be a player.

What you will do

• Own organizational effectiveness across Tech Research, including performance management, leveling, compensation calibration, and career development.
• Define and execute headcount planning and staffing strategy, aligning talent to long-term research ambitions and roadmap priorities.
• Maintain a high bar for talent density, ensuring researchers and engineers consistently operate at Riot’s expected level of craft and impact.
• Foster a culture of intellectual rigor, constructive debate, and accountability.
• Partner with the Head of Research on organizational strategy and long-term planning.
• Represent Tech Research as the organizational leader of the function within broader Technology leadership forums.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in research, engineering, or technical organizations.
• 4+ years managing senior technical ICs across multiple disciplines.
• Experience leading AI/ML or frontier research organizations.
• Demonstrated success leading performance management, compensation calibration, and leveling across different craft ladder.
• Proven track record hiring and developing senior researchers and engineers.
• Excellent communication skills across technical and executive audiences.

Nice to have

• Experience managing hybrid research and engineering teams.
• Experience building mentorship frameworks across multiple technical disciplines.
• Background in game development, applied AI, or interactive systems.

Culture & Benefits

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