Lead Software Engineer — Premier RTS

1 Minute ago • 5 Years + • Software Development & Engineering • $125,000 PA - $160,000 PA

Job Summary

Job Description

This Lead Software Engineer role involves setting the technical direction for a high-profile RTS remaster. Responsibilities include leading modernization of core gameplay systems, championing quality-of-life improvements, and raising the technical bar across a large codebase. The role requires owning pillars end-to-end, partnering with design and art, and defining standards for data-driven, multithreaded systems. You will lead prototyping of new modes, optimize performance, and mentor engineers. This position supports a four-day work week and offers remote-friendly options within Canada.

Must have:

Set technical direction for RTS remaster.
Lead modernization and polish of gameplay systems.
Champion quality-of-life improvements.
Raise technical bar across RTS codebase.
Own pillars end-to-end, partner with design and art.
Define standards for data-driven, multithreaded gameplay systems.
Lead prototyping through launch of multiplayer experiences in modern C++.
Champion UX/onboarding improvements and eliminate issues.
Strengthen mod-support pipelines.
Guide work on deterministic simulation, path-finding, combat logic, unit behaviours.
Enforce budgets, profile and optimise for 60 fps during 1,000-unit battles.
Improve load times and expand automated test coverage.
Sync with design, art, animation, audio; run playtests.
Mentor and grow engineers via pairing, coaching, reviews.
Foster best practices and support career development.
5+ years building and shipping games in modern C++.
Proven ownership of complex gameplay systems.
Shipped multiple commercial titles or substantial live-ops updates.
Strength in data-driven design, rapid iteration.
Excellent cross-discipline communication.
Comfortable with Perforce/Git and modern debugging/profiling tooling.
Advocates for automation and quality.

Good to have:

RTS or large-scale simulation experience (AI, pathfinding, deterministic sims)
Engine-level systems experience
Networking for multiplayer experience
Content-pipeline/tools experience

Perks:

Four-day work week (32 hours)
In-studio work arrangements
Remote work within Canada
Hybrid work arrangements

11 skills required

11 skills required for this role

Add these skills to join the top 1% applicants for this job

problem-solving

github

cpp

talent-acquisition

game-texts

test-coverage

prototyping

networking

git

perforce

multiplayer

Job Details

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.

Location: Canada - Remote-friendly (min 50% Pacific-time overlap required)

Employment type: Four-day work week (32 hrs), full-time permanent.

About the role:

You’ll set technical direction for a high-profile remaster of a beloved RTS. You’ll lead modernization and polish across core gameplay and systems, champion quality-of-life improvements, and raise the technical bar across a large-scale RTS codebase: owning pillars end-to-end and partnering closely with design and art.

What you’ll lead:

Technical direction & architecture for data-driven, multithreaded gameplay systems within a mature proprietary engine; define standards, patterns, and reviews that scale across PC.
New modes & live-ops delivery — lead prototyping through launch and iteration of multiplayer experiences and post-launch systems in modern C++.
Quality-of-life upgrades — champion UX/onboarding improvements, eliminate long-standing issues, and strengthen mod-support pipelines.
Simulation & AI — guide work on deterministic simulation, path-finding, combat logic, and unit behaviours to deliver tight, tactical play.
Performance & stability — enforce budgets, profile and optimise to hit 60 fps during 1,000-unit battles, improve load times, and expand automated test coverage.
Cross-disciplinary collaboration — sync with design, art, animation, and audio; run playtests and turn feedback into shippable features.
People leadership — mentor and grow engineers via pairing, coaching, and actionable reviews; foster best practices and support career development.

Qualifications:

5+ years building and shipping games in modern C++ within large codebases; proven ownership of complex gameplay systems.
Shipped multiple commercial titles or substantial live-ops updates with notable gameplay contributions.
Strength in data-driven design, rapid iteration, and balancing creative intent with technical realities.
Excellent cross-discipline communication; gives and receives constructive code feedback.
Comfortable with Perforce/Git and modern debugging/profiling tooling; advocates for automation and quality.

Nice to have:

RTS or large-scale simulation experience (AI, pathfinding, deterministic sims).
Engine-level systems, networking for multiplayer, and content-pipeline/tools experience.