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Blackbird InteractiveBI

Senior Gameplay Software Engineer (Unreal Engine 5)

Blackbird Interactive (BBI) is building a safe, stable home where the best talent in the industry can find long-term careers, experiment, and keep growing their abilities – while working on a wide range of projects, encompassing world-class IPs as well as our own creations across multiple genres.

Blackbird Interactive

Employee count: 201-500

Salary: 105k-155k CAD

Canada only
Blackbird Interactive is a creative-fueled, future-driven, independent game studio where the best talent in the industry can find long-term careers to help grow their abilities while working on a wide range of projects, which encompass world-class IPs as well as our own creations across multiple genres.
In 2022, we announced that our studio is implementing a four-day work week as well as supporting in-studio, remote within Canada, and hybrid work arrangements as permanent options to our employees.
Blackbird Interactive is a creative-fueled, future-driven, independent game studio where the best talent in the industry can find long-term careers to help grow their abilities while working on a wide range of projects. These include both world-class IPs and our own creations across multiple genres and platforms.
In 2022, we introduced a four-day work week and continue to support in-studio, remote (within Canada), and hybrid work arrangements as permanent options for all employees.
We’re looking for a senior gameplay engineer to drive the design and implementation of moment-to-moment systems that define the player experience. You’ll partner closely with design, art, and production to shape gameplay architecture, solve cross-disciplinary challenges, and mentor engineers while pushing the boundaries of what's possible in Unreal Engine 5.
This role is remote-friendly in Canada (Pacific-time overlap required).

What You’ll Tackle

  • Gameplay Systems Ownership – Lead the development of player-facing mechanics such as traversal, combat, interaction, and abilities in C++ and Blueprints.
  • Technical Architecture – Define modular, scalable gameplay frameworks that empower content creators, support networked play, and scale across PC and console SKUs.
  • Cross-functional Leadership – Collaborate deeply with design, animation, audio, and production to ensure features are robust, performant, and aligned with creative goals.
  • Performance Optimization – Profile, analyze, and optimize gameplay systems across platforms to meet performance and memory targets.
  • Mentorship Code Quality – Provide technical mentorship, guide best practices, and elevate the engineering team through thoughtful code reviews and pair programming.
  • Innovation Exploration – Prototype and evaluate new gameplay paradigms, stay current with UE5 tech (e.g. GAS, MassEntity, Chaos), and lead knowledge-sharing initiatives within the studio.

You’ll Thrive Here If You…

  • Have 5+ years of professional experience with C++ in Unreal Engine 4 or 5, with a strong track record of gameplay system development.
  • Hold a BSc in Computer Science or a college diploma in software engineering, game programming, or a closely related field.
  • Have shipped multiple titles, including at least one where you owned significant gameplay features from concept to release.
  • Excel at bridging design vision with technical execution, and enjoy collaborating across disciplines.
  • Think critically about player experience, systemic design, and clean abstraction.
  • Are experienced with performance profiling, memory budgeting, and debugging tools.
  • Communicate clearly, advocate for efficiency, and lead by example in engineering culture.

Bonus XP

  • Deep experience with Gameplay Ability System, MassEntity, or custom gameplay frameworks.
  • Experience leading gameplay teams or mentoring mid/junior engineers.
  • Familiarity with animation programming, AI behavior systems, or multiplayer gameplay logic.
  • Passion for empowering designers through tools, data-driven systems, or scripting APIs.
  • Strong advocate for accessibility, player expression, and diverse playstyles.

About the job

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Posted on

Job type

Full Time

Experience level

Senior

Salary

Salary: 105k-155k CAD

Location requirements

Hiring timezones

Canada +/- 0 hours

About Blackbird Interactive

Learn more about Blackbird Interactive and their company culture.

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Blackbird Interactive (BBI) is building a safe, stable home where the best talent in the industry can find long-term careers, experiment, and keep growing their abilities – while working on a wide range of projects, encompassing world-class IPs as well as our own creations across multiple genres.

One of the strongest expression of this commitment is our internal “Skunkworks” new IP incubation program, run about once a year. Originating employees receive a payout if their idea / pitch is selected – otherwise, if unused, the rights fully revert back to them!

Established in 2010, BBI now counts 300+ staff – including a dedicated in-house CG cinematics department – and has been listed among the Fastest Growing Companies by Revenue in Canada in 2020 & 2021 by both The Globe & Mail and Deloitte.

2022 saw our studio shift to the four-day work week as well as supporting in-studio, remote, and hybrid work arrangement as permanent options to our employees.

Teams that chose it are slowly starting to return to our studio space in a phased approach as per current COVID recommendations.

We can’t wait to leverage our beautiful building – complete with cinema room, sound studios, play-testing area and rooftop patio – for IRL social gatherings with colleagues, dogs and all again!

Employee benefits

Learn about the employee benefits and perks provided at Blackbird Interactive.

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Retirement benefits

RRSP matching up to $1500.

Life insurance

We'll cover your life insurance so you don't have to worry.

Profit sharing

When the company does well, all team members share the profits!

Learning and development budget

Mentorship program and 3 days per year for professional development.

View Blackbird Interactive's employee benefits
Claim this profileBlackbird Interactive logoBI

Blackbird Interactive

Company size

201-500 employees

Founded in

2007

Chief executive officer

Rob Cunningham

Employees live in

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Blackbird Interactive hiring Senior Gameplay Software Engineer (Unreal Engine 5) • Remote (Work from Home) | Himalayas