About the role

Systems Designer designing scalable gameplay systems for Blackbird Interactive's science fiction universe. Collaborating with cross-functional teams to implement and fine-tune gameplay features.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with level design, quest design, art, engineering, and production to support and implement the established creative vision through gameplay systems.
Design and implement systemic gameplay features such as progression mechanics, combat systems, AI interactions, exploration mechanics, or simulation-driven content.
Own systems end-to-end, including defining rules, variables, tuning parameters, failure states, and player-facing feedback.
Implement systems directly using in-engine tools and scripting workflows, ensuring features function reliably across a wide range of player behaviors and edge cases.
Work closely with other designers to ensure systems integrate smoothly into environments, encounters, and moment-to-moment gameplay.
Build and maintain system logic, data structures, and state-driven behavior that interact correctly with other gameplay systems.
Test, debug, and iterate on systems regularly, identifying balance issues, usability problems, and technical edge cases.
Respond constructively to feedback from design leadership, engineering, and production, making adjustments to improve clarity, balance, performance, and player experience.
Maintain a strong understanding of interconnected gameplay systems and anticipate how changes in one area may impact others.

A minimum of 8 years of experience contributing to game development, with a strong focus on systems or gameplay design within complex games.
Experience shipping at least one systems-heavy title, ideally within the RPG or open-world space.
Comfort working independently on features, managing tasks, iterating on feedback, and solving design and implementation challenges in a dynamic production environment.
Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work closely with designers, engineers, artists, audio, and production partners.
Familiarity with logic-driven tools, scripting concepts, and state-based systems, and confidence implementing, debugging, and tuning gameplay systems directly in-game.