Senior Game Designer (3Cs: Camera, Controls, Character) - 9 Month Contract at Blackbirdinteractive

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. At this time, we are only able to hire candidates who are legally eligible to work in Canada and reside within Canada. Responsibilities • Collaborate with design, engineering, animation, and production to support and implement the core gameplay vision through camera, controls, and character systems • Own and drive the development of the 3Cs, including player movement, camera behavior, aiming systems such as ADS, and input responsiveness • Prototype, implement, and iterate on player control schemes to ensure they feel intuitive, precise, and responsive across gameplay scenarios • Design and tune third-person camera systems that balance situational awareness, readability, and cinematic presentation • Work closely with animation and engineering to ensure character movement, transitions, and combat interactions feel grounded, fluid, and believable • Integrate 3Cs with gameplay systems such as shooting, cover, traversal, and squad-based mechanics to support tactical play • Test, debug, and iterate regularly on moment-to-moment gameplay, identifying issues with feel, readability, and responsiveness • Establish and maintain standards for gameplay feel, control responsiveness, and camera behavior across the project • Provide clear, constructive feedback on gameplay feel and player experience to help maintain quality and consistency • Mentor and support other designers, sharing best practices and helping elevate team understanding of 3Cs design • Anticipate dependencies and risks, working with cross-discipline partners to ensure smooth implementation and iteration Requirements • 8+ years of experience in game development with a strong focus on player-facing gameplay systems, especially camera, controls, and character • Experience shipping at least one AAA title with direct contribution to player movement, camera systems, or control schemes • Proven ability to own gameplay systems from concept through implementation, tuning, and polish • Strong understanding of third-person gameplay fundamentals, including camera framing, input responsiveness, locomotion, and combat feel • Experience working closely with animation and engineering to deliver high-quality character movement and interaction systems • Deep understanding of gameplay feel, including timing, responsiveness, feedback, and player readability • Comfort working hands-on in engine, implementing and tuning gameplay systems and debugging issues directly • Strong collaboration and communication skills with the ability to work effectively across disciplines • Experience mentoring or supporting other designers Pluses • Experience working on third-person shooters or tactically grounded gameplay experiences • Familiarity with ADS systems, cover mechanics, and squad-based gameplay • Strong understanding of controller-first design and input mapping for console • Appreciation for how animation, camera, audio, and VFX combine to enhance gameplay feel • Passion for delivering responsive, immersive player experiences with a high level of polish • Interest in balancing realism with playability in modern military settings