John 'Rebel' McLaughlin

(he/him,they/them)

@rebel.eurosky.social

Programming: Making things that allow you to focus on things you enjoy.

Senior Software Engineer at Riot Games

SeattleWashingtonUnited States🇺🇸

Open to:Full-time rolesMentoring others

Preferred workplace:On-siteHybridRemote (worldwide)

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Software Engineer with a background in backend systems, game platform services, SDKs,
developer tools, and client features for live multiplayer games and cloud services. Experienced across
product teams at Riot Games, AWS for Games, Twitch, Amazon, and earlier game technology roles, with a
focus on reliable systems, developer workflows, mentoring, and collaborative technical leadership.

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Career: 13

Senior Software Engineer

Riot Games

Full-time · Hybrid

Feb 2023 - Present

Developed client social features and player behavior systems for Valorant using C++ and Unreal Engine 4 and 5. ● Built server-side player rating and penalty features with Go and AWS services. ● Delivered game platform systems supporting live multiplayer experiences and player trust goals.

C++GoSoftware EngineeringAWSGame Development

Software Development Engineer II

Amazon Web Services

Full-time · Hybrid

Apr 2021 - Feb 2023

● Implemented game SDK features for GameSparks and GameKit using C++17. ● Coordinated server SDK development for GameLift with Go and C#. ● Designed Unity and Unreal plugins to improve developer workflows across game services. ● Built showcase games demonstrating platform features in Unity and Unreal Engine 4. ● Mentored engineers and supported planning through scrum leadership and cross-team coordination.

UnityC++AWSC#

Software Development Engineer II

Amazon Web Services

Full-time · Hybrid

Apr 2020 - Apr 2021

● Developed backend systems for AWS teams, cloud services, and an in-development game title. ● Replaced an outdated EC2-based service with an AWS Lambda-based solution. ● Supported project planning and led scrum meetings to help teams deliver platform work.

JavaAWSAgileProject Management

Senior Backend Game Engineer

Etermax Berlin GmbH

Full-time · On-site

Jan 2020 - Mar 2020

Consulted with and mentored the engineering team on backend architecture and C# services using AWS.

AWSSoftware Engineering

Software Development Engineer II

Twitch Interactive

Full-time · Hybrid

Dec 2018 - Dec 2019

● Designed and implemented services, APIs, and front-end features for Twitch Bits. ● Built monetization platform features with TypeScript, Go, React, GraphQL, and AWS.

GoAWSTypeScriptReactGraphQLRedis

Software Development Engineer

Amazon Web Services

Full-time · Hybrid

May 2017 - Dec 2018

● Redesigned monolithic services into microservices to improve platform scalability and maintainability. ● Integrated third-party backend systems to deliver in-game content through AWS-based services. ● Supported game-connected platform experiences with Java and cloud infrastructure development.

AWSJavaTypeScriptReactAgile Methodologies

Senior Software Developer

3dexcite

Full-time · On-site

Aug 2016 - Apr 2017

Developed tools and plugins for DeltaGen using C++ and Qt.

C++Qt3D Visualization

Researcher, Visual Computing Group

University of Magdeburg

Full-time · On-site

Mar 2015 - Jul 2016

● Taught introductory computer science courses covering programming paradigms, Java, and C++. ● Researched flow visualization systems using C++ and Unreal Engine 4.

TeachingMentoringResearchC++Data Visualization3D Visualization

Production Engineer

Bungie

Contract · On-site

Sep 2014 - Mar 2015

● Implemented and extended internal tools in C#. ● Supported artists and designers through workflow improvements.

C#C++

Localization Tester - German

Bungie

Contract · On-site

Feb 2014 - Sep 2014

● Tested German localization for Destiny and managed localization test passes. ● Built small tools and scripts supporting localization workflows with C# and Python.

Quality AssuranceC#

German Support Tech

維爾福

Full-time · Hybrid

May 2012 - Jul 2013

Provided localization and German-language support for Valve products at high ticket volume.

Technical SupportLocalization

Instructor

University of Magdeburg

Temporary · On-site

Oct 2008 - Oct 2010

● Taught university-level courses in entertainment software development, rapid prototyping, and advanced game development. ● Helped rebuild the game development curriculum with Prof. Dr. Holger Theisel.

Teaching

Graphics Programming Intern

reality twist GmbH

Internship · On-site

Oct 2009 - Feb 2010

● Developed a realistic atmospheric real-time rendering system using C++, C#, and HLSL. ● Programmed interface and gameplay elements for a helicopter simulator in C++.

C++C#Graphics Programming

Skills: 32

Technical

Unreal Engine3D VisualizationAWSC#C++Game DevelopmentGitGo

Graphics ProgrammingGraphQLJavaLinuxMicroservicesPythonQuality AssuranceReactRedisSoftware EngineeringTypeScriptUnity

Business

AgileAgile MethodologiesData VisualizationProject Management

Interpersonal

GermanLeadershipMentoringResearchTeaching

Security

Technical Support

Other

LocalizationQt

Education: 1

University of Magdeburg

Diplom-Ingenieur, Computervisualistik

Oct 2005 - Jan 2012

Involvement: 2

Community

Acagamics E.v.

President

Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, DE

Feb 2007 - Jan 2012

Rebuilt student game development club into thriving non-profit association that built a new game development curriculum and offered official university courses in game development.

Teaching
Leadership

Volunteering

Technology Access Foundation

Assist with teaching game development

Seattle, Washington, US

Mar 2026 - Present

Helping teachers in middle and high school teach game development classes

Teaching
Game Development

Languages: 3

English(Native or bilingual)
German(Native or bilingual)
French(Limited working)

Also find John 'Rebel' McLaughlin on…

EuroSky (@rebel.eurosky.social)

Personal website

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