Senior Space Vehicle Systems Engineer
About Us:
BlackSky BlackSky is a real-time intelligence company. We own and operate the world's most advanced space-based intelligence platform and provide customers satellite imagery, automated analytics and high-frequency monitoring of strategic locations, economic assets, and events from around the globe. BlackSky is trusted by the most demanding allied military and intelligence organizations and commercial companies to deliver foresight into critical matters that affect national security and the economy. BlackSky's data enables governments and businesses to see, understand and anticipate change as it happens, giving them the ultimate strategic advantage so they can act quickly. Our global team works with cutting-edge technology to make a difference around the world and prides itself on being people-first, customer-focused and fun.
Job Summary:
Systems Engineers at BlackSky are the glue that ensures that all the components, subsystems, parts, hardware, software come together to produce best-in-class spacecraft. BlackSky is seeking a proven spacecraft systems engineer to provide a key role in the definition, verification, assembly, and delivery of our industry-defining spacecraft. You will be involved throughout the engineering lifecycle, from creating and understanding mission needs through design, integration, test, and ultimately the operation of spacecraft in orbit. Success in the role requires daily collaboration with a diverse set of team members – mechanical, electrical, software, and test engineers, operators, and program managers. Reporting to the Director, Systems Engineering, this role works in our Tukwila, WA office with a hybrid on-site schedule of 3 days and significant flexibility for part-time remote work.
Responsibilities:
- Organize, lead, and support development of internal and customer-facing Systems Engineering deliverables
- Build and refine automated tools for analyzing test, analysis, and other verification data at the component, subsystem, vehicle, and constellation levels.
- Define and decompose system CONOPS into vehicle, subsystem, and component requirements
- Build and maintain tools to rapidly generate space‑vehicle technical budgets and analysis products
- Develop system, subsystem, and component verification and test plans
- Communicate technical information (analysis results, findings, trades) to peers, the Program Chief Engineer, program management, and customers
- Seek, identify, and implement automation solutions to streamline workflows across Engineering, Production, and Operations
- Represent Systems Engineering within subsystem‑focused Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) to ensure needs are met and sound SE practices are applied
- Provide technical oversight of component/unit suppliers and support supply chain activities
- Other job-related duties as assigned
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Computer Science, Aerospace, Systems, or Electrical preferred)
- Minimum of 5+ years of experience in the Aerospace or Defense Industry, with at least 2 years of experience conducting analysis of real-time hardware and software systems
- Proficient with Python for data analysis
- Strong foundation for developing component and subsystem software models
- Strong understanding of spacecraft, subsystem behaviors, and associated dependencies
- Demonstrated ability to produce satellite budgets and analyses (power, mass, reliability, etc.)
- Proficient with requirements management practices
- Experience developing systems engineering artifacts: Interface Control Documents, Internal block diagrams, activity diagrams, sequence diagrams, state machines, etc.
- Strong sense of ownership, innate sense of urgency, and bias toward eliminating waste and inefficiency
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated technical depth in a spacecraft subsystem or payload
- Experience with requirements tracking tools (e.g. Jama, DOORS)
- Experience with Jira, Confluence, GitHub, or other similar tools
- Strong understanding of spacecraft avionics, the space environment, basic astrodynamics, and related spacecraft design considerations
- Experience with Ansys System Tool Kit (STK) or similar simulation tools
- Experience with Model Based Systems Engineering tools and SysML
- Experience working within a Scaled Agile or comparable Agile framework
Life at BlackSky for full-time benefits eligible employees includes:
- Medical, dental, vision, disability, group term life and AD&D, voluntary life and AD&D insurance
- BlackSky pays 100% of employee-only premiums for medical, dental and vision and contributes $100/month for out-of-pocket expenses!
- 15 days of PTO, 11 Company holidays, four Floating Holidays (pro-rated based on hire date), one day of paid volunteerism leave per year, parental leave and more
- 401(k) pre-tax and Roth deferral options with employer match
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Employee Stock Purchase Program
- Employee Assistance and Travel Assistance Programs
- Employer matching donations
- Professional development
- Mac or PC? Your choice!
- Awesome swag
The anticipated salary range for candidates in Washington state is $125,000-$145,000 per year. The final compensation package offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on specific background and education. BlackSky is a multi-state employer, and this pay scale may not reflect salary ranges in other states or locations outside of Seattle, WA.
BlackSky is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be Equal Opportunity. All Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
EEO/ Pay Transparency Statements:
https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf
https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/OFCCP_EEO_Supplement_Final_JRF_QA_508c.pdf