Gameplay AI Software Engineer, Original Game (Unreal Engine 5)

Blackbird Interactive

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Vancouver, BC, Canada remote Until 9/14/2026 5+ years exp First posted July 16, 2026 Last posted July 16, 2026
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.

We are looking for a Gameplay AI Software Engineer to drive the technical direction and execution of a new original game being developed in Unreal Engine 5. You will be embedded in a core gameplay team to implement gameplay features and systems within our games that are essential to delivering a polished, performant and fun experience. This role is remote-friendly in Canada with Pacific-time overlap required.

What You’ll Lead and Deliver

  • Work across disciplines to build, refactor and maintain a variety of robust, flexible, and well-architected AI features.

  • Work with the design team to prototype and implement AI behaviors that empower the fun.

  • Implement enemies, NPCs or any kind of AI managed characters.

  • Work with gameplay engineers to integrate developed AI systems.

  • Implement optimizations in perception systems and decision-making systems to make the AI performant.

  • Work on navigation & pathfinding systems and demonstrate the ability to debug complex AI issues.

  • Integrate and maintain AI middleware across all platforms.

  • Partner closely with design and content teams to build high quality and fun experiences.

  • Drive engineering quality across gameplay code, emphasizing performance, maintainability, extensibility, and production-readiness.

  • Establish engineering best practices for Unreal Engine 5 development, including code review standards, debugging workflows, profiling habits, and technical planning.

  • Collaborate with technical leadership to break down risks, define implementation strategies, and align engineering execution with project goals and production timelines.

  • Communicate clearly with stakeholders about technical constraints, trade-offs, dependencies, and execution plans.

You’ll Thrive Here If You

  • Have 5+ years of professional game development experience, with demonstrated technical leadership through project ownership, mentorship, and setting engineering standards.

  • Have strong professional experience with C++ and Unreal Engine, including gameplay architecture, runtime systems, debugging, and optimization.

  • Have deep experience building and maintaining gameplay systems that are responsive, scalable, and designer-friendly.

  • Advance knowledge on blueprints and AI decision making tools (Unreal behavior trees, utility AI, etc.).

  • Demonstrate confidence in using navigation and pathfinding systems.

  • Are comfortable working across systems boundaries, collaborating with multiple disciplines, and balancing short-term production needs with long-term technical health.

  • Bring a strong ownership mindset, practical decision-making, and a focus on helping teams move effectively under production constraints.

Bonus XP

  • Experience with the Unreal Engine 5 systems, like Blackboards, StateTree, and EQS.

  • Familiarity with Perforce, Jenkins, Unreal Build System, Unreal Gauntlet.

Compensation (from employer):
96000–144000 CAD per year

About this role

Summary

Develop and maintain AI features for an original Unreal Engine 5 game, focusing on performance and fun gameplay.

Job title

Gameplay AI Software Engineer, Original Game (Unreal Engine 5)

Experience level

5+ years

Minimum experience

5+ years exp

Industry

games

Location requirements

remote in Canada, Pacific-time overlap required

Salary

C$96k–C$144k

Management role

No

Skills & keywords

Required skills

C++Unreal Enginegameplay architecturedebuggingoptimization

Preferred skills

Unreal Engine 5 systemsbehavior treesutility AInavigationpathfinding

Specializations

AIC++Unreal Enginegame developmentnavigation
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

Unknown location

Remote

Vancouver, BC, Canada

Hybrid City