Responsibilities
Core Gameplay Features – Design and implement player-facing systems such as movement, traversal, interactions, and progression using C++ and Blueprints.
System Design & Architecture – Create modular, data-driven gameplay systems that support rapid iteration and scale across PC and other platforms.
Cross-disciplinary Collaboration – Work closely with design, animation, and audio teams to prototype mechanics, tune feel, and refine experiences through playtesting.
Performance & Stability – Profile and optimize gameplay systems to meet performance and memory budgets, and contribute to stability through testing and debugging.
Technical Mentorship – Share gameplay engineering best practices through code reviews and informal mentorship of associate engineers.
Continuous Improvement – Stay up to date with UE5 subsystems (GAS, MassEntity, Chaos), propose tooling or workflow improvements, and help drive internal knowledge sharing.
Requirements
Have 3+ years of professional experience using C++ in Unreal Engine 4 or 5, with a strong focus on gameplay systems.
Hold a BSc in Computer Science or a college diploma in software engineering, game programming, or a closely related field.
Have shipped at least one commercial game featuring your gameplay contributions.
Are passionate about prototyping, polish, and tight player control and feedback loops.
Communicate clearly and value cross-functional collaboration.
Are comfortable with Perforce, Git, or similar version control systems and modern profiling/debugging tools.
Pluses
Experience working on VR platforms, particularly with performance optimization and player input
Experience with Gameplay Ability System, MassEntity, or Chaos physics.
Contributions to improving build pipelines, CI, or automated gameplay testing.
Passion for accessibility, player expression, and inclusive game mechanics.
Skills Required
- 3+ years of professional experience using C++ in Unreal Engine 4 or 5 with a strong focus on gameplay systems
- BSc in Computer Science or college diploma in software engineering, game programming, or closely related field
- Shipped at least one commercial game featuring your gameplay contributions
- Experience designing and implementing player-facing systems (movement, traversal, interactions, progression) using C++ and Blueprints
- Comfortable with Perforce, Git, or similar version control systems and modern profiling/debugging tools
- Passion for prototyping, polish, tight player control and feedback loops
- Clear communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
- Legally eligible to work in Canada and reside within Canada
- Able to work remote-friendly with Pacific-time overlap
- Experience working on VR platforms, especially performance optimization and player input
- Experience with Gameplay Ability System (GAS), MassEntity, or Chaos physics
- Contributions to improving build pipelines, CI, or automated gameplay testing
- Passion for accessibility, player expression, and inclusive game mechanics
What We Do
Blackbird Interactive (BBI) is a creative-fueled, future-driven, independent studio - behind such games as Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak, Hardspace: Shipbreaker, and the upcoming Homeworld 3, Minecraft Legends, and Crossfire: Legion. Founded by Rob Cunningham, Yossarian King, and Aaron Kambeitz in 2010, the award-winning Vancouver studio boast its own internal CG cinematics department, led by the founder of Pixar Canada, and has also been involved in various game-adjacent projects over the years - such as Project Eagle with the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and other initiatives with the eatART Foundation and Sanctuary AI.
