Electro-Optical Payload Engineer

Electro-Optical Payload Engineer

The successful candidate is expected to have a strong knowledge of imaging sensors and optical systems (visible and infrared) paired with hands-on experience with optical design, opto-mechanical design, payload build, and payload test. Experience overseeing procurement of optical systems from external suppliers is desired, as is experience with air/space payload systems engineering and familiarity with satellite subsystems and operations. The EOPE is a fundamentally collaborative role and will work with Integrated Product Teams across the organization, as well as with external suppliers, requiring excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities:

• Develop specifications for future space-based imaging systems
• Perform key opto-mechanical design and/or key optical design activities
• Provide technical oversight to external imaging payload design activities
• Provide technical oversight to procurement of imaging payloads
• Support the ground qualification and test of future imaging systems
• Support the commissioning of each new imaging system after launch
• Resolve any on-orbit failures or anomalies that arise during the life of the imaging system
• Support the development of the processes and tools to autonomously characterize, monitor, and improve the performance of on-orbit imaging systems
• Contribute extensive experience in payload design and performance to improve the portfolio of BlackSky imagery products

Qualifications:

• 7+ years experience designing, building and testing advanced Electro-Optical payloads
• Broad knowledge of detector phenomenology and imaging sensor technologies
• Comprehensive Electro-Optical systems analysis capabilities: SNR, MTF, NIIRS, etc.
• Expert level optical and opto-mechanical engineering skills and understanding
• Expert level payload systems engineering skills and understanding
• Understanding of satellite/payload interfaces and CONOPS constraints
• Personality that enjoys working in a dynamic, multi-task environment
• Excellent presentation and communication skills
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• A passion for technology and rapid execution of sophisticated space missions
• Must be a U.S. Citizen. This requirement cannot be waived.

Desired Skills:

• Experience in the opto-mechanical design of space-based imaging systems
• Experience specifying, designing, building, and testing space-based imaging systems
• Experienced leading integration and test of small-satellite optical payloads
• Experience working with CCD and CMOS sensors
• Experience with on-orbit calibration of space-based imaging systems
• Experience coding in Python
• Experience developing tools for data trending and analysis
• Familiarity with satellite subsystems and operational/environmental constraints