Technical Designer - 4 Month Contract

Blackbird; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Blackbird Interactive is seeking a Technical Designer to build and implement gameplay systems for a narrative-driven investigative game. The role emphasizes bridging design and engineering to craft player-driven experiences in Unreal Engine 5.

You will prototype and implement gameplay systems, collaborate with writers and artists, and help optimize workflows for scalable content delivery across a remote-first studio in Canada.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in game development with gameplay implementation experience.
• Proven ability to prototype and implement gameplay systems in engine.
• Strong collaboration with design, narrative, art and engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Prototype, implement, and iterate on gameplay systems, narrative events, and player content.
• Implement and maintain gameplay logic and progression using Unreal Engine 5 and Blueprint.
• Collaborate with design, narrative, art, and audio to realize storytelling and player choices.
• Work with engineers to improve tools and content pipelines for efficient iteration.
• Identify and resolve gameplay and scripting issues while maintaining performance.
• Estimate work with producers and leadership to support milestones.

Skills

Collaboration

Communication

Problem solving

Tools

Unreal Engine 5

Blueprint scripting

Gameplay implementation

Job description

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.

Blackbird Interactive is looking for a Technical Designer to join our growing studio. We have an exciting new project and are looking for a key contributor to help build and implement gameplay systems for a narrative-driven investigative game focused on player choice, exploration, and interactive storytelling.

Do you enjoy bridging design and engineering to bring compelling gameplay and narrative experiences to life? Have you designed, prototyped, and implemented gameplay systems, tools, or scripted content in Unreal Engine? Do you enjoy collaborating with designers, writers, artists, and programmers to create immersive, player-driven experiences? If so, this role could be a great fit.

Responsibilities

• Prototype, implement, and iterate on gameplay systems, investigative mechanics, interactive objects, narrative events, scripted sequences, objectives, tutorial systems, and other player-facing content

• Implement and maintain gameplay logic, progression systems, and narrative scripting using Unreal Engine 5 and Blueprint, ensuring reliable and scalable content implementation

• Collaborate closely with narrative, design, art, and audio teams to bring interactive storytelling, player choices, and scripted gameplay moments to life

• Work with engineers to improve technical workflows, gameplay tools, and content pipelines, helping designers efficiently implement and iterate on gameplay and narrative content

• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve gameplay, scripting, and implementation issues while maintaining performance, stability, and content quality

• Work with producers and team leadership to estimate work, communicate progress, identify technical risks, and support successful milestone delivery

Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in game development, including at least 2 years in a Technical Designer or equivalent gameplay implementation role

• Strong proficiency with Unreal Engine 5, including Blueprint scripting, gameplay implementation, debugging, and working within complex gameplay systems and technical frameworks

• Experience implementing gameplay systems, scripted events, interactive sequences, or narrative content directly in engine

• Confidence working with modern scripting languages, gameplay logic, and state-driven systems

• Experience shipping at least one title, ideally featuring narrative gameplay, exploration, adventure, or investigative mechanics

• Self-motivated with the ability to thrive in a collaborative, fast-moving technical environment

• Strong communication and interdisciplinary collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across design, narrative, engineering, art, and production

Pluses

• Experience implementing branching dialogue, narrative scripting, quest systems, or investigative gameplay

• Familiarity with cinematic pipelines, sequencing tools, or interactive storytelling workflows

• Passion for crime fiction, investigative storytelling, and grounded, character-driven narrative games

• An innovator\'s mindset with a passion for building robust gameplay systems and improving development workflows

• Experience working closely with writers, narrative designers, or cinematic teams

• Demonstrated passion for games, film, television, novels, podcasts, or other forms of narrative entertainment

$80,000 - $100,000 a year