Senior Software Engineer (C++ / Gameplay Systems)

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 across multiple genres and platforms.

We’re looking for a senior software engineer to help evolve and support the gameplay experience of a classic AAA real-time strategy title. This role is focused on developing, maintaining, and improving core gameplay systems in C++, with an emphasis on moment-to-moment gameplay, simulation, unit behaviors, abilities, and long-term system stability. You will work closely with designers, artists, QA, production, and other engineers to implement features, diagnose complex issues, improve workflows, and modernize systems while preserving the feel and legacy of an iconic RTS.

This role is remote-friendly in Canada, with Pacific time overlap required.

What You’ll Tackle

 ● Core RTS gameplay systems: Design, implement, maintain, and improve player-facing gameplay features such as unit behaviors, abilities, commands, selection, movement, combat interactions, targeting, and game-state systems using C++.

● Mission and scenario gameplay: Build and support scripted gameplay content including triggers, objectives, events, encounters, victory conditions, progression logic, and campaign or custom scenario systems.

● Simulation and systems architecture: Develop modular, data-driven gameplay systems that support iteration, determinism, save/load reliability, multiplayer stability, and maintainability across a large legacy codebase.

● Technical leadership and collaboration: Partner closely with design, art, audio, production, QA, and engineering peers to prototype features, tune game feel, guide implementation approaches, review code, and resolve gameplay issues efficiently.

● Performance and stability: Debug and optimize gameplay systems with attention to CPU, memory, desync risk, determinism, save/load issues, and edge-case behavior in both single-player and multiplayer contexts.

● Legacy stewardship and improvement: Work within an established codebase to extend and refactor existing systems, modernize workflows where appropriate, reduce technical debt, and preserve the responsiveness and readability players expect from a classic RTS experience.

You’ll Thrive Here If You

● Have 6+ years of professional software development experience using C++, ideally in games.

● Hold a BSc in Computer Science or a college diploma in software engineering, game programming, or a closely related field, or have equivalent professional experience.

● Have shipped at least one commercial game or major update where you contributed significantly to gameplay, simulation, AI, tools, or engine systems.

● Are comfortable working in mature or legacy codebases and can improve existing systems without losing sight of gameplay feel, stability, and maintainability.

● Can independently own medium-to-large gameplay features from investigation and design through implementation, debugging, polish, and support.

● Have experience implementing or debugging gameplay systems involving state, timing, scripting, AI, player input, mission logic, or simulation.

● Care deeply about responsiveness, clarity, polish, and long-term maintainability in player-facing systems.

● Communicate clearly, work well with cross-functional teams, and can provide constructive technical feedback through code reviews, design discussions, and mentoring.

Bonus Experience

● Experience working on real-time strategy, simulation-heavy, tactics, or systems-driven games.

● Familiarity with gameplay scripting, trigger systems, event systems, mission logic, or content pipelines.

● Experience with AI systems such as state machines, behavior trees, utility systems, navigation, targeting, or tactical decision-making.

● Experience working on live, remastered, or long-running titles with an established player base.

● Familiarity with multiplayer gameplay considerations such as synchronization, determinism, replay systems, lockstep simulation, or networked simulation.

$125,000 - $155,000 a year