Blackbird Interactive is looking for a Technical Designer to join our growing studio. We have an exciting new project and are looking for a key contributor to help build and implement gameplay systems for a narrative-driven investigative game focused on player choice, exploration, and interactive storytelling.
Do you enjoy bridging design and engineering to bring compelling gameplay and narrative experiences to life? Have you designed, prototyped, and implemented gameplay systems, tools, or scripted content in Unreal Engine? Do you enjoy collaborating with designers, writers, artists, and programmers to create immersive, player-driven experiences? If so, this role could be a great fit.
Responsibilities
Prototype, implement, and iterate on gameplay systems, investigative mechanics, interactive objects, narrative events, scripted sequences, objectives, tutorial systems, and other player-facing content
Implement and maintain gameplay logic, progression systems, and narrative scripting using Unreal Engine 5 and Blueprint, ensuring reliable and scalable content implementation
Collaborate closely with narrative, design, art, and audio teams to bring interactive storytelling, player choices, and scripted gameplay moments to life
Work with engineers to improve technical workflows, gameplay tools, and content pipelines, helping designers efficiently implement and iterate on gameplay and narrative content
Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve gameplay, scripting, and implementation issues while maintaining performance, stability, and content quality
Work with producers and team leadership to estimate work, communicate progress, identify technical risks, and support successful milestone delivery
Requirements
A minimum of 5 years of experience in game development, including at least 2 years in a Technical Designer or equivalent gameplay implementation role
Strong proficiency with Unreal Engine 5, including Blueprint scripting, gameplay implementation, debugging, and working within complex gameplay systems and technical frameworks
Experience implementing gameplay systems, scripted events, interactive sequences, or narrative content directly in engine
Confidence working with modern scripting languages, gameplay logic, and state-driven systems
Experience shipping at least one title, ideally featuring narrative gameplay, exploration, adventure, or investigative mechanics
Self-motivated with the ability to thrive in a collaborative, fast-moving technical environment
Strong communication and interdisciplinary collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across design, narrative, engineering, art, and production
Pluses
Experience implementing branching dialogue, narrative scripting, quest systems, or investigative gameplay
Familiarity with cinematic pipelines, sequencing tools, or interactive storytelling workflows
Passion for crime fiction, investigative storytelling, and grounded, character-driven narrative games
An innovator's mindset with a passion for building robust gameplay systems and improving development workflows
Experience working closely with writers, narrative designers, or cinematic teams
Demonstrated passion for games, film, television, novels, podcasts, or other forms of narrative entertainment
Skills Required
- Minimum 5 years of experience in game development, including at least 2 years in a Technical Designer or equivalent gameplay implementation role
- Strong proficiency with Unreal Engine 5, including Blueprint scripting, gameplay implementation, and debugging
- Experience implementing gameplay systems, scripted events, interactive sequences, or narrative content directly in engine
- Confidence working with modern scripting languages, gameplay logic, and state-driven systems
- Experience shipping at least one title, ideally featuring narrative gameplay, exploration, adventure, or investigative mechanics
- Self-motivated and able to thrive in a collaborative, fast-moving technical environment
- Strong communication and interdisciplinary collaboration skills across design, narrative, engineering, art, and production
- Experience implementing branching dialogue, narrative scripting, quest systems, or investigative gameplay
- Familiarity with cinematic pipelines, sequencing tools, or interactive storytelling workflows
- Experience working closely with writers, narrative designers, or cinematic teams
- Innovator mindset with passion for building robust gameplay systems and improving development workflows
- Demonstrated passion for narrative entertainment (games, film, TV, novels, podcasts)
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.
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