Senior Gameplay Software Engineer (Unreal Engine 5)

Senior Gameplay Software Engineer (Unreal Engine 5)

Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada (Remote within Canada OK)
Team: Programming – Gameplay

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 join an unannounced sci-fi action game. This role will 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, create tools and systems for fast iteration, solve cross-disciplinary challenges, and help craft an innovative and exciting title.

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/multiplayer 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…:
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Have 5+ years of professional experience with C++ in Unreal Engine 4 or 5, with a strong track record of gameplay system development.

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Hold a BSc in Computer Science or a college diploma in software engineering, game programming, or a closely related field.

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Have shipped multiple titles, including at least one where you owned significant gameplay features from concept to release.

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Excel at bridging design vision with technical execution, and enjoy collaborating across disciplines.

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Think critically about player experience, systemic design, and clean abstraction.

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Are experienced with performance profiling, memory budgeting, and debugging tools.

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Communicate clearly, advocate for efficiency, and lead by example in engineering culture.

Bonus XP:
• Experience with systems for procedural generation.

• 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.