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, and hybrid work arrangements as permanent options to our employees.
Responsibilities
Contribute, collaborate and execute upon the creative direction of the project
Design, prototype and implement complex gameplay systems and tools, in collaboration with the other designers and programmers
Mentor and provide guidance to other designers and direct reports
Work closely with design and engineering to help stand up and maintain key feature work
Act as a technical expert on key features and help direct data debugging
Provide team-facing documentation to inform and guide the work of downstream groups
Organize feedback sessions, and coordinate with other disciplines to plan next steps
Help direct the testing of new tools / features before distribution to the rest of the team
Participate in planning a roadmap to completion for key features and tools you are responsible and accountable for
Contribute to studio-wide Creative, Design, and Technical Design agendas
Requirements
10+ Years of experience as a Senior and/or Lead ("AAA" experience a plus)
Shipped at minimum (1) well received 4X and/or Grand Strategy title
Proven experience developing strategy game systems architecture from the ground up as a Designer, Technical Designer, or Programmer
Well rounded design background and experience (specifically Systems, Gameplay, AI, Progression, Economy)
Deep passion and appreciation of Strategy games
Exceptionally strong background in prototyping, developing and balancing prototypes and first playable experiences
Strong leadership
Ability to effectively communicate your ideas, and both provide and implement constructive feedback and effectively collaborate with all levels of the organization
Pluses
Experience with other areas of design (level design, UX/UI, encounter scripting, etc.)
Ability to program several languages (Python, C++,C# etc.)
Experience and knowledge of 2D / 3D software
Experience with a variety of game engines
Experience with version control software
A drive to understand how things work
Vacation & Extras
4-day, 32-hour work week for all full-time staff
Mentorship program
Skunkworks internal game jam program
4 weeks paid vacation per year
11 paid stat holidays
3 paid days per year for professional development
December holiday studio closure (extra paid time off!)
Comprehensive health/dental benefits from day 1
Life insurance
$300 Healthcare Spending Account per annum
RRSP matching up to $1500
Profit-sharing bonus program
If applying for an artistic role, please provide a link to your portfolio and/or demo reel.
Any questions about the role and/or accessibility requests can be sent to: [email protected]
Unfortunately, we cannot reply to everyone. Only successful applicants will be contacted about the next steps. Thank you for your understanding.
If you are interested in the role, please apply even if your experience and skills don’t perfectly match our ideal credentials. We are committed to inclusion and especially encourage members of historically marginalized communities to apply. As an equal opportunity employer we encourage applications from all qualified individuals. BBI does not discriminate against applicants based on gender, race, national and ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, marital and family status, and/or mental or physical disabilities.
Blackbird Interactive is privileged to be developing our projects on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ /Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
