Gameplay AI Software Engineer, Original Game (Unreal Engine 5)

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. Our studio operates as a remote-first workplace, offering flexible work arrangements. PLEASE NOTE: At this time, we are only able to hire candidates who are legally eligible to work in Canada and reside within Canada. We are looking for a Gameplay AI Software Engineer to drive the technical direction and execution of a new original game being developed in Unreal Engine 5. You will be embedded in a core gameplay team to implement gameplay features and systems within our games that are essential to delivering a polished, performant and fun experience. This role is remote-friendly in Canada with Pacific-time overlap required. \n What You’ll Lead and Deliver * Work across disciplines to build, refactor and maintain a variety of robust, flexible, and well-architected AI features. * Work with the design team to prototype and implement AI behaviors that empower the fun. * Implement enemies, NPCs or any kind of AI managed characters. * Work with gameplay engineers to integrate developed AI systems. * Implement optimizations in perception systems and decision-making systems to make the AI performant. * Work on navigation & pathfinding systems and demonstrate the ability to debug complex AI issues. * Integrate and maintain AI middleware across all platforms. * Partner closely with design and content teams to build high quality and fun experiences. * Drive engineering quality across gameplay code, emphasizing performance, maintainability, extensibility, and production-readiness. * Establish engineering best practices for Unreal Engine 5 development, including code review standards, debugging workflows, profiling habits, and technical planning. * Collaborate with technical leadership to break down risks, define implementation strategies, and align engineering execution with project goals and production timelines. * Communicate clearly with stakeholders about technical constraints, trade-offs, dependencies, and execution plans. You’ll Thrive Here If You * Have 5+ years of professional game development experience, with demonstrated technical leadership through project ownership, mentorship, and setting engineering standards. * Have strong professional experience with C++ and Unreal Engine, including gameplay architecture, runtime systems, debugging, and optimization. * Have deep experience building and maintaining gameplay systems that are responsive, scalable, and designer-friendly. * Advance knowledge on blueprints and AI decision making tools (Unreal behavior trees, utility AI, etc.). * Demonstrate confidence in using navigation and pathfinding systems. * Are comfortable working across systems boundaries, collaborating with multiple disciplines, and balancing short-term production needs with long-term technical health. * Bring a strong ownership mindset, practical decision-making, and a focus on helping teams move effectively under production constraints. Bonus XP * Experience with the Unreal Engine 5 systems, like Blackboards, StateTree, and EQS. * Familiarity with Perforce, Jenkins, Unreal Build System, Unreal Gauntlet. \n $96,000 - $144,000 a year \n

Lead the technical direction and implementation of AI features, NPCs, and gameplay systems for a new original game in Unreal Engine 5. Collaborate with design and engineering teams to ensure AI performance, maintainability, and a polished player experience.

Requires 5+ years of professional game development experience with strong proficiency in C++ and Unreal Engine. Candidates must have deep expertise in AI decision-making tools and be legally eligible to work and reside in Canada.

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• C++
• Unreal Engine 5
• Gameplay Architecture
• AI Decision Making
• Behavior Trees
• Navigation & Pathfinding
• Optimization
• Technical Leadership
• Blueprint
• AI Middleware
• Profiling
• Debugging

• Software
• Engineering
• Creative & Media
• Technology

Minimum experience

5+ years

Posting language

English

Working hours

40 hours per week