Full-Time

Systems Administrator

Blackbird Interactive

Blackbird Interactive

51-200 employees

Develops immersive games and art services

Compensation Overview

CA$70k - CA$85k/yr

Vancouver, BC, Canada

In Person

Category
IT & Security (1)
Required Skills
Kubernetes
Microsoft Azure
LDAP
Git
Computer Networking
Docker
JIRA
Terraform
VMWare
Ansible
Linux/Unix
Google Cloud Platform
Requirements
  • Have 3+ years in systems administration / IT operations in a Windows-centric environment.
  • Have supported a production environment with many end users and competing priorities.
  • Are confident administering Windows Server (file shares, permissions, patching, backups, troubleshooting).
  • Have experience with Linux server environments.
  • Have practical experience with VMware and VM lifecycle management.
  • Have strong fundamentals in networking, including VLANs and structured troubleshooting.
  • Have hands-on experience with Active Directory and access management best practices.
  • Are comfortable supporting VPN access in a security-minded environment.
  • Have admin/support experience with Perforce and Git (permissions, user management, basic maintenance, backup/restore awareness)
  • Work effectively in Jira and/or Azure DevOps (triage, prioritization, clear ticket updates, and follow-through).
  • Communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical teammates.
  • Stay calm under pressure and take a structured approach to incidents and root-cause follow-up.
  • Be security-minded (least privilege, good hygiene, proactive patching).
  • Take ownership and look for ways to reduce toil through automation and better processes.
Responsibilities
  • Monitor, maintain, and improve our virtualized environment (VMware) and core on-prem services and cloud services on Google and Azure.
  • Perform routine maintenance, patching, performance troubleshooting, and capacity planning support.
  • Own Windows Server operations (file shares, NTFS permissions, backups, updates, service reliability).
  • Script and build tools to automate IT tasks (terraform, ansible, docker and kubernetes experience a plus)
  • Administer Active Directory (user/group management, access policies, baseline configurations).
  • Manage account lifecycle across studio services (onboarding/offboarding, least privilege, access reviews).
  • Support productivity and collaboration tooling administration (including Google Workspace)
  • Support LAN services (e.g., DHCP/DNS) and day-to-day connectivity troubleshooting.
  • Configure and maintain VLANs in collaboration with the team to support segmentation and studio needs.
  • Support secure VPN access and troubleshoot remote connectivity and authentication issues.
  • Working with firewall technologies such as SSL Deep Packet Inspection, IDP, ZTNA, HA, SDWAN
  • Administer and support Perforce and Git services (access, permissions, backups, performance triage).
  • Partner with engineering to keep developer workflows stable (auth, storage, large repos, onboarding/offboarding).
  • Triage outages and security incidents; coordinate fixes and follow through with preventative improvements.
  • Help implement practical security hardening and safe-data handling practices across the studio
  • Automate repetitive tasks using PowerShell (and other scripting as needed).
  • Maintain clear documentation (runbooks, change logs, diagrams) and improve operational workflows
  • Track and manage work through Atlassian/Jira and/or Azure DevOps (ADO), keeping tasks visible and well-scoped
  • Act as an escalation point for complex issues and occasionally mentor junior IT team members
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience administering Fortinet (policies, VPNs, security features, troubleshooting).
  • Endpoint management experience (Windows/macOS), baselines, and device security practices.
  • Familiarity with monitoring/alerting, log collection, and operational dashboards.
  • Experience supporting Linux (Ubuntu) in mixed environments.
  • Backup/DR experience (restore testing, retention planning, recovery documentation).
  • Experience supporting a creative/production studio environment (or similarly fast-paced teams)
Blackbird Interactive

Blackbird Interactive

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Blackbird Interactive in Vancouver develops and sells video games and also provides art direction, concept art, and IP development services to other studios. Its games are created through a collaborative process that blends art, storytelling, and gameplay to deliver immersive experiences and tailored assets. The studio differentiates itself with its Homeworld pedigree, a culture that invites ideas from all team members, and flexible work options, plus a dual revenue model from game sales and professional services. Its goal is to produce high-quality games and become a trusted partner to other studios while maintaining strong security and privacy practices.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

Debt Financing

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Vancouver, Canada

Founded

2007

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Homeworld 3 launched May 13, 2024, with DLC like Kalan Raiders Pack August 15.
  • Acquired Hardspace IP rights August 2025, launching multiple new projects.
  • Emona Capital minority investment bolsters game development and strategies.

What critics are saying

  • Homeworld 3 support ended November 2024, creating revenue cliff now.
  • Mojang canceled Minecraft Legends January 2025, damaging publisher ties.
  • 41 layoffs January 2025 after project cancellations weaken studio capacity.

What makes Blackbird Interactive unique

  • Blackbird Interactive specializes in Homeworld sci-fi RTS franchise with VR expansion.
  • Studio excels in co-development services using Unreal, Unity, and proprietary engines.
  • Vancouver-based team of Relic and EA veterans drives immersive art and cinematics.

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Your Connections

People at Blackbird Interactive who can refer or advise you

Benefits

4-Day Work Week & Generous Vacation

Employee Profit Sharing Plan

Paid Parental LEave Top Up

Comprehensive Extended Health & Wellness Benefits

Research & Developemnt Opportunities

New IP Pitching Program & Bonus

Fully Equiped Onsite Gym

Dog-Friendly Studio

Company News

Omega Ultra
Oct 15th, 2025
Ambrosia Sky Act 1 Trailer Reveals November Release Date for Power Wash Action | IGN Fall Fan Fest 2025

Ambrosia Sky Act 1 trailer reveals November release date for power wash action | IGN Fall Fan Fest 2025. Developer Soft Rains and support studio Blackbird Interactive made an appearance at IGN Fall Fan Fest 2025 to announce an Ambrosia Sky Act 1 release date of November 10, 2025, for PC via Steam. The launch update for the studio's upcoming stylized, power wash-inspired action FPS arrives alongside a new two-minute trailer. It's a fresh look at the creative cleaning adventure, promising to release its first chapter in just a few weeks, with Act 2 and Act 3 set to follow in 2026. Ambrosia Sky sees players step into the zero-gravity shoes of a field scientist named Dalia. Her search for the key to human immortality takes her to Saturn's outer rings, where she must face (and clean) hostile fungi and discover what happened to the people who once lived there. "In this gripping first act, Ambrosia Sky thrusts you into a mind-bending world of death, decay, and what comes after," Soft Rains' description for Ambrosia Sky Act 1 says. "Armed with nothing but a chemical sprayer and grappling hook, you must survive varieties of unpredictable alien fungi." Although it takes some clear inspiration from meditative experiences like PowerWash Simulator, Ambrosia Sky spices up its fungus-cleaning activities in a few ways. Dalia can harvest fruit and upgrade her gear, for example, with players also able to craft ammunition and enhance traversal tools like the tether. Soft Rains encourages players to explore while piecing together mysteries and dodging an alien fungus that can electrify, explode, and more. Soft Rains is a Toronto-based indie studio formed with talent behind games like The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, Fallout 3 and 4, Valorant, and Watch Dogs: Legion. Ambrosia Sky was announced in June of this year. If you'd like to see more than what was shown in today's IGN Fall Fest 2025 trailer, you should know an updated Ambrosia Sky demo is available to check out as part of Steam Next Fest until October 20. For more, you can check out its Summer Game Fest Ambrosia Sky preview, where Will Borger went hands-on with a slice from Dalia's journey. At the time, he said, "I am excited to see what else Soft Rains has in store for us on the Cluster, but one thing is clear: their ambition is great." Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

COGconnected
Sep 18th, 2025
Ambrosia Sky Just Dropped a New Story Trailer Today

Toronto-based independent developer Soft Rains, in collaboration with Blackbird Interactive, has released a new story trailer for their upcoming game, Ambrosia Sky.

Business in Vancouver
Mar 13th, 2025
Blackbird Interactive Leadership Change, Investment

Vancouver's Blackbird Interactive Inc. announced leadership changes and a new financial partnership. Founder Rob Cunningham transitions to board chairman, with Eric Torin as the new CEO. The studio secured a minority investment from London-based Emona Capital LLP, though the amount was undisclosed. The partnership aims to enhance Blackbird's game development and business strategies. Additionally, B.C.'s digital media tax credit will increase to 25%, benefiting the industry.

MMORPG.com
May 16th, 2024
Homeworld 3 is Now Out on PC

Gearbox Publishing and Blackbird Interactive released a launch trailer to celebrate the game's launch.

WorthPlaying
Apr 17th, 2024
'Homeworld 3' Reveals 2024 Post-Launch Content Roadmap

Gearbox Publishing and Blackbird Interactive unveiled the 2024 Content Roadmap for Homeworld 3 which includes additional content for its roguelike RTS mode War Games.