Data Engineering Intern - Summer 2027

Location: Los Angeles, USA Department: Riot Game Studios

Riot’s Data Engineers build tools and data products that help teams understand and improve the experience of players worldwide. They work across data pipelines, data modeling, data infrastructure, and data quality to make large-scale data useful, reliable, and accessible.

As a Data Engineering Intern, you’ll work with data engineers, software engineers, data scientists, analysts, and game or product partners to build and improve data products. You’ll gain exposure to transforming raw data into clean, queryable datasets, designing data models, validating data quality, and supporting data pipelines. You’ll be supported by experienced team members as you learn Riot’s tools, systems, and engineering practices.

Potential Responsibilities

Collaborate with data engineers, software engineers, data scientists, analysts, and game teams on data-focused projects.

Transform raw data into clean, documented datasets that can be queried and used by downstream partners.

Implement small data pipeline, data modeling, or data-quality tasks using established tools, templates, and technical guidance.

Support the design of relational data models and data products for game, product, or business use cases.

Help validate data for accuracy, timeliness, completeness, and sustainability.

Participate in code reviews, technical discussions, team rituals, and project planning.

Document technical proposals, implementation details, and data definitions clearly.

Learn how cloud, distributed-processing, and data-pipelining systems support Riot’s games and products.

Required Qualifications

Graduating in the 2028 calendar year.

Currently enrolled in a Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or related technical degree program.

Available to work full-time hours for the 12-week internship duration.

Comfortable programming in Python or Java.

Understanding of data structures and algorithms.

Familiarity with SQL and relational data concepts such as tables, keys, normalization, or indexing.

Minimum GPA of 2.5.

Desired Qualifications

Currently enrolled in a graduate-level (Master’s or PhD) Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or related technical degree program.

Experience developing a data pipeline, data model, database project, or data-driven application through coursework, internships, research, or personal projects.

Familiarity with cloud-computing basics, such as AWS or GCP.

Experience working with Linux operating systems.

Understanding of distributed systems, concurrent programming, or distributed data processing.

Familiarity with tools or frameworks such as Databricks, Spark, Flink, Hive, Kafka, Airflow, Luigi, Docker, Terraform, Kubernetes, Parquet, or Avro.

Experience with Scala, C++, Golang, or another programming language.

Familiarity with software development practices such as Git, unit testing, functional testing, or continuous integration and deployment.

Portfolio, website, GitHub, or other collection of original work.

Work Authorization

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States for the duration of the program.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. We do not sponsor visas for this position or internship conversions.

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

Applications close January 4th, 2027

Our Perks

Riot Internships are paid, and interns can also participate in our 401(k) plan. You can expect in-game perks and the ability to participate in our Play Fund, so you can broaden and deepen your knowledge of our players and community through games. The University Programs team also invites you to intern-focused events so you can connect with your fellow interns and Rioters and make the most of your experience.

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 we are committed to 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