Anti-Cheat Engineering Intern (Masters/PhD) - Summer 2027

Location: Los Angeles, USA Riot’s Anti-Cheat team is passionate about protecting the integrity of multiplayer games and creating a fair experience for players. We work across low-level systems, software protection, and security research to help protect the legitimacy of players’ games. As an Anti-Cheat Engineering Intern, you’ll work with experienced Vanguard engineers on a summer research project exploring how agentic AI is changing the effectiveness of software obfuscation and virtualization. With mentorship from the team, you’ll use and improve research harnesses that iteratively challenge code-protection techniques, measure the boundaries of AI-assisted reverse engineering, and investigate methods for making protected code more resilient to AI analysis. You’ll turn your findings into repeatable experiments, clear technical documentation, and make recommendations that inform the future of Anti-Cheat and client software protection. Potential Responsibilities Work with Anti-Cheat engineers to scope and complete a bounded research project focused on AI-assisted analysis of obfuscated and virtualized code. Build and improve AI harnesses that iteratively improve and challenge code-protection techniques to study the boundaries of their design Design and run experiments that measure where AI systems succeed, struggle, or fail when reasoning about protected binaries. Research and evaluate techniques that make software obfuscation and virtualization more resilient to AI-assisted reverse engineering. Reproduce and validate results, documenting experimental methods, evidence, limitations, and potential defensive implications. Contribute improvements to shared research tools and workflows, and present progress and findings to engineers and technical partners. Required Qualifications Currently enrolled in a Masters or Doctoral program in the following fields: Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity, or related graduate degree program. Experience programming in C or C++, demonstrated through coursework, research, internships, or personal projects. Experience with agentic AI tools or harnesses used to automate iterative workflows such as code generation, testing, analysis, or evaluation. Foundational understanding and relevant coursework in operating systems, computer architecture, compilers, and software security. Available to work full-time hours for the 12-week program. Minimum GPA of 2.5. Desired Qualifications Graduating in the 2028 calendar year. Exposure to reverse engineering, binary analysis, code obfuscation, software virtualization, or related security techniques through coursework or hands-on projects. Experience with Python, scripting, Git, testing, or building repeatable research and evaluation tools. Familiarity with program-analysis techniques; interest in Windows internals, game security, or software protection is a plus. 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 note that job duties may evolve based on business needs and additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to maintain operational efficiency and security. (Remote Only) The hourly rate for this internship is USD $80.77 hourly