Remote Technical Designer (3 month contract)

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 looking for a Technical Designer to join our growing studio. We have an exciting new project, and are looking for a key hire to lend a hand in the development and execution of the gameplay on a co-operative, horror based exploration game. Do you want to build compelling game experiences having designed, prototyped and delivered high profile gameplay systems, features or tools? Do you love working with a team of talented designers, artists and programmers to create ambitious in-game content? If so, this role could be for you!.

Responsibilities

• Prototype, implement, and iterate on gameplay content such as game flow, interactable objects and player abilities, event hooks for narrative and audio content, scripted sequences, tutorial/help systems, and bug fixing.
• Collaborate with both artists and designers on ways to improve the game content implementation to take advantage of existing technology and drive to the best end result possible.
• Collaborate with engineers to improve design workflows and bring gameplay intentions to life while respecting performance and technical constraints
• Work with producers and team leadership to assess requirements and provide effort estimates and updates to help ensure the team reaches its goals successfully

Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years in game development, with at least 2 years of Technical Design experience
• Confidence and familiarity with modern text based scripting languages
• Shipped at least one product, ideally an exploration and/or horror game
• Self direction and a proven ability to thrive in a highly dynamic and technical environment
• Strong interdisciplinary collaboration skills, including verbal and written skills

Pluses

• Experience developing or playing games with a cooperative gameplay focus
• An innovator's heart, keen to create brand new things that haven't been done before
• A love of contributing to high quality, rich gameplay experiences
• Experience playing modern horror exploration games
• Demonstrated passion for entertainment products / media (i.e. comics, movies, novels, etc.)

$80,000 - $100,000 a year