Technical Artist (6-Month Contract)

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.

Blackbird Interactive is looking for an experienced Technical Artist to help adapt and enhance a large, established simulation game for new platforms and display environments. Working at the intersection of design, art, and engineering, you'll implement gameplay content, support technical pipelines, develop tools and workflows, and help ensure the game delivers a polished, performant, and intuitive player experience across platforms.
You'll collaborate closely with designers, artists, engineers, and production to solve technical and creative challenges, improve development workflows, and build systems that enable the team to create high-quality content efficiently. If you enjoy bridging disciplines, solving complex technical problems, and turning creative ideas into polished gameplay, we'd love to hear from you.

Responsibilities
Collaborate with design, art, engineering, and production to implement gameplay features, technical systems, and content across multiple platforms. Act as a bridge between disciplines, solving technical challenges and supporting asset integration, debugging, optimization, and engine implementation. Design and maintain tools, scripts, workflows, and pipelines that improve team productivity and content quality. Identify usability, visual, and performance issues, developing solutions that balance player experience, technical constraints, and production needs. Support artists and designers across a variety of content areas, including animation, materials, FX, UI, and gameplay systems. Create clear documentation for tools, workflows, and technical processes while proactively identifying opportunities to improve production.

Requirements
3+ years of professional experience as a Technical Artist, Technical Designer, or similar role in game development. Strong understanding of real-time game development pipelines, engine integration, and content workflows. Experience developing production tools, workflows, or gameplay systems using scripting or programming languages such as Python, C#, or C++. Proficiency in Adobe Animate or equivalent 2D timeline-based animation software (e.g., Toon Boom Harmony, Moho, or After Effects). Familiarity with DCC tools such as Maya and asset management/version control workflows. Strong problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to work independently in a production environment.

Pluses
Experience with Unity, Unreal Engine, or other commercial game engines. Experience with game ports, remasters, or cross-platform development. Knowledge of shaders, materials, animation systems, visual effects, or technical UI. Experience with performance profiling, optimization, and Perforce (P4V).