Senior Software Engineer (C++ / Gameplay Systems)

About this role

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 edg...