Senior Level Designer

ABOUT THE ROLE Blackbird Interactive is a creative‑fueled, future‑driven independent game studio that empowers talent to grow through long‑term careers and diverse projects. We are building an action RPG that blends fast‑paced combat, character progression, exploration, and replayability, and we need a Senior Level Designer to shape the spaces that bring that vision to life. In this role you will own levels from concept to polish, collaborating across systems design, art, narrative, audio, and engineering to deliver engaging combat encounters, rewarding exploration, and clear player flow. Your work will directly influence how players experience the game’s core gameplay pillars and will help set the quality bar for all playable content. WHAT YOU'LL DO - Own level design end‑to‑end, creating layouts, blockouts, combat spaces, encounters, traversal, and pacing that support diverse character builds and abilities. - Collaborate with combat, systems, narrative, art, engineering, audio, and production teams to align levels with the creative vision and core gameplay pillars. - Script and implement gameplay events, triggers, objectives, and environmental interactions directly in the engine, ensuring seamless integration with gameplay systems. - Test, debug, and iterate on levels using playtest feedback to refine combat flow, difficulty, readability, and replayability. - Mentor junior designers and provide design judgment that balances creative goals, technical constraints, and production realities. - Drive continuous improvement of level design processes, tools, and documentation to support efficient production. WHAT YOU'LL NEED - Eight or more years of game development experience, with a strong portfolio of action, RPG, or combat‑focused level design. - Proven track record of shipping multiple titles, including at least one senior or equivalent level‑design role. - Hands‑on expertise in level editing, gameplay scripting, and in‑engine implementation, with the ability to prototype, debug, and iterate quickly. - Deep understanding of action‑RPG level design, including combat spaces, encounter pacing, exploration, progression, and replayability. - Excellent communication and collaboration skills, able to articulate design intent and negotiate trade‑offs with cross‑functional teams. - Strong design judgment and the ability to own complex levels independently from concept through final polish. WHY REMOTE Blackbird Interactive operates as a remote‑first studio, trusting our teams to manage their own schedules and work asynchronously. This culture empowers designers to focus on creative problem‑solving without the constraints of a traditional office, while still fostering collaboration through regular virtual syncs, design reviews, and shared documentation. The flexibility of a distributed team allows you to balance personal commitments with professional growth, and our remote‑friendly processes ensure you have the resources you need to deliver high‑quality work from anywhere in Canada. BENEFITS - Competitive salary range of $115,000 to $149,500 per year, commensurate with experience. - Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents. - Generous paid time off policy, including vacation, personal days, and sick leave. - Remote work stipend to support home‑office setup and utilities. - Annual learning budget for courses, conferences, and professional development. - Equity participation and performance bonuses tied to company success. - Inclusive, collaborative culture that values diverse perspectives and continuous feedback.