Associate Gameplay Software Engineer (Unreal Engine 5) - (7-month contract)
Top Benefits
About the role
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 now support in-studio, remote (within Canada), and hybrid work arrangements as permanent options for all employees.
We’re looking for an associate gameplay engineer with strong technical foundations and a passion for moment-to-moment play. You’ll contribute to systems like movement, combat, and progression, while learning Unreal Engine 5’s architecture and workflows. This is a growth role with built-in mentorship, hands-on experience, and a direct impact on the player experience.
This role is remote-friendly in Canada (Pacific-time overlap required).
What You’ll Tackle
- Gameplay Implementation – Build and iterate on gameplay features such as player movement, abilities, interactions, and environmental systems using C++ and Blueprints.
- Prototyping & Polish – Help translate design intent into responsive, tuned gameplay systems that feel great and are fun to play.
- Collaboration & Iteration – Work closely with senior engineers, designers, and animators to bring features to life and refine them through playtesting and feedback.
- Learning & Growth – Explore UE5 subsystems like GAS, MassEntity, and Chaos, and expand your knowledge through pairing, code reviews, and studio-wide knowledge sharing.
- Code Quality & Tools – Write clean, maintainable code and contribute to tooling and systems that help improve workflow efficiency across disciplines.
You’ll Thrive Here If You…
- Have 1–2 years of professional or academic experience with C++, ideally in a game development context.
- Hold a BSc in Computer Science or a college diploma in software engineering, game programming, or a closely related field.
- Are familiar with Unreal Engine 4 or 5, either through school, mods, indie development, or shipped features on a larger team.
- Are eager to learn gameplay architecture, systems thinking, and best practices in real-time game development.
- Enjoy working with others and value clear communication and feedback.
- Are comfortable using Git, Perforce, or similar version control systems and modern debugging tools.
Bonus XP
- Experience with Blueprint scripting, UE5 sample projects, or gameplay prototypes.
- Exposure to systems like Gameplay Ability System, Behavior Trees, or AI navigation.
- A passion for games with tight mechanics, satisfying feedback, or emergent systems.
- Contributions to game jams, student projects, mods, or indie releases.
About Blackbird Interactive
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. BBI was listed among the fastest growing Canadian companies by revenue in 2020 and 2021 by The Globe and Mail and Deloitte.
Associate Gameplay Software Engineer (Unreal Engine 5) - (7-month contract)
Top Benefits
About the role
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 now support in-studio, remote (within Canada), and hybrid work arrangements as permanent options for all employees.
We’re looking for an associate gameplay engineer with strong technical foundations and a passion for moment-to-moment play. You’ll contribute to systems like movement, combat, and progression, while learning Unreal Engine 5’s architecture and workflows. This is a growth role with built-in mentorship, hands-on experience, and a direct impact on the player experience.
This role is remote-friendly in Canada (Pacific-time overlap required).
What You’ll Tackle
- Gameplay Implementation – Build and iterate on gameplay features such as player movement, abilities, interactions, and environmental systems using C++ and Blueprints.
- Prototyping & Polish – Help translate design intent into responsive, tuned gameplay systems that feel great and are fun to play.
- Collaboration & Iteration – Work closely with senior engineers, designers, and animators to bring features to life and refine them through playtesting and feedback.
- Learning & Growth – Explore UE5 subsystems like GAS, MassEntity, and Chaos, and expand your knowledge through pairing, code reviews, and studio-wide knowledge sharing.
- Code Quality & Tools – Write clean, maintainable code and contribute to tooling and systems that help improve workflow efficiency across disciplines.
You’ll Thrive Here If You…
- Have 1–2 years of professional or academic experience with C++, ideally in a game development context.
- Hold a BSc in Computer Science or a college diploma in software engineering, game programming, or a closely related field.
- Are familiar with Unreal Engine 4 or 5, either through school, mods, indie development, or shipped features on a larger team.
- Are eager to learn gameplay architecture, systems thinking, and best practices in real-time game development.
- Enjoy working with others and value clear communication and feedback.
- Are comfortable using Git, Perforce, or similar version control systems and modern debugging tools.
Bonus XP
- Experience with Blueprint scripting, UE5 sample projects, or gameplay prototypes.
- Exposure to systems like Gameplay Ability System, Behavior Trees, or AI navigation.
- A passion for games with tight mechanics, satisfying feedback, or emergent systems.
- Contributions to game jams, student projects, mods, or indie releases.
About Blackbird Interactive
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. BBI was listed among the fastest growing Canadian companies by revenue in 2020 and 2021 by The Globe and Mail and Deloitte.