Staff Software Engineer, Mission Management

Staff SW Engineer, Mission Management

About Us:

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.

BlackSky is looking for a strong, self-starting and eager engineer to join our Mission Management Engineering team. This integrated product team is working to develop and maintain optimal, automated autonomous operations for the BlackSky constellation. Scope of expertise includes software system design and architecture, data structures, efficient data storage and retrieval, software performance and scaling, and efficient maintainable algorithm implementation. The candidate should have solid experience in developing and deploying production-level systems at scale.

In this role, you will develop and track requirements, schedules, and technical implementation for a wide variety of mission management products and see them through to operation on orbit. Opportunities will exist for production code development in Python and Go. As you learn the BlackSky automated software architecture, you will be expected to grow into technical or functional leadership after demonstrated capability for individual contribution and development of expert level of knowledge of the system. This position reports to the Director, Mission Management. While the locations listed in the job posting are ideal, we would love candidates near Seattle, WA offices. We may also consider remote candidates in certain states. 

Responsibilities:

• Design, implement, and maintain software for the components making up BlackSky’s mission management services.


• Participate in design reviews, code reviews, and team planning discussions.


• Take an active role in testing, debugging, and documenting implemented software functionality.


• Proactively identify problems with requirements (lack of clarity, inconsistencies, technical limitations) and communicates these issues early.


• Interface with mission planning, ground software, and platform engineers to plan and execute autonomous constellation operations software products.


• Assist with operational tasks to ensure stability in production environments and support ongoing constellation operations and customer fulfillment efforts


• Support on-call rotations and troubleshooting of live system operations as needed.


• Support Launch and Early Operations of new satellites.


• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or higher in one of the following fields: computer science, mathematics, physics, statistics, or another computational field or equivalent experience.


• A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant software development experience.


• Fluency in Python, a strong understanding of Go, and comfortable using other languages when necessary.


• Expert knowledge of software design, maintenance, and implementation including data structures, data retrieval and storage, algorithm efficiency, and maintainable scalable code.


• Demonstrated initiative to identify and solve problems or inefficiencies in your current field of expertise.


• Possess strong team and inter-team cooperation and organization skills.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a strong understanding of audience.


• Ability to sustain a workload consisting of several concurrent, independent activities.


• This position requires U.S. citizenship or status as a U.S. person

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with satellite first principals such as orbital mechanics, attitude dynamics, and satellite systems.


• Expertise in software/hardware performance characteristic.


• Experience with automation of complex systems (satellite, vehicle fleets, drones, etc.). 


• Knowledge of geospatial systems or data.

Life at BlackSky for full-time US 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 Seattle, WA is $150,000-$180,000 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 an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer 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. #LI-Remote

EEO/AAP/ Pay Transparency Statements: