Mechanical Engineering Manager

BlackSky•Tukwila, WA

3d•$175,000 - $205,000

About The Position

The Mechanical Engineering Manager leads BlackSky’s Mechanical Design Engineering team, responsible for designing space vehicle systems, structures, mechanisms, components, and ground support equipment. The manager owns the team’s technical and schedule performance, establishes effective design processes and standards, develops team members through training and mentorship, and allocates design support across programs. The role partners with Space Vehicle Engineering, Production, and Supply Chain to ensure design products are implemented successfully and to improve processes based on feedback. Alongside management duties, this role contributes directly as a design engineer throughout the satellite program lifecycle, from concept through production. Responsibilities include developing satellite structure and system-layout concepts, creating CAD models, selecting materials, producing manufacturing documentation, and supporting production. The manager works with flight, prototype, and ground-support hardware as part of a multidisciplinary technical team.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a similar engineering discipline.
At least 10 years of professional experience in a mechanical engineering role.
At least 2 years of experience leading engineering teams as a people manager or technical lead with formal leadership responsibilities.
Demonstrable experience in the satellite or launch industry maturing designs from initial concepts to detailed manufacturing drawings.
Working knowledge of design requirements for space systems.
Experience leading teams to deliver against challenging technical and/or schedule requirements.
High proficiency with Creo CAD for developing part and assembly models and manufacturing drawings within a Windchill environment.
Strong understanding of the ASME Y14.5 dimensioning and tolerancing specification.
Must be a U.S. Person.

Nice To Haves

Experience with spacecraft mechanisms.
Experience with wire harness design.

Responsibilities

Own technical and schedule performance for a team of 4–8 Mechanical Design Engineers.
Establish, maintain, and enforce design processes and guidelines that balance spacecraft engineering rigor with practicality, internal objectives, risk posture, and program goals.
Establish standards for effective use of Creo CAD and Windchill PLM, including consistent modeling, drawing, configuration-management, and release practices.
Develop the team’s satellite mechanical-design capabilities through professional development plans, assignments, training, and mentorship.
Manage team performance and alignment through regular reviews and goal setting.
Assign staff to programs; plan team tasks; prioritize and deconflict workloads; recruit and onboard hires; and manage contract support.
Ensure the team follows company, department, and team processes.
Partner with Space Vehicle Engineering, Production, and Supply Chain to ensure design products are implemented as intended, gather feedback, and address emerging needs.
Lead moderate-scale technical efforts involving internal and external collaboration, developing technical plans that meet program requirements and schedules.
Work with multidisciplinary teams to deliver space vehicle designs, production plans, and test strategies that support cost, schedule, and quality goals.
Design spacecraft mechanical structures, assemblies, and components using Creo CAD software.
Generate and maintain engineering and manufacturing documentation, including part drawings, assembly drawings, and bills of materials.
Document design and analysis data in technical reports, presentations, and manufacturing systems.
Use engineering judgment to make decisions with incomplete data while balancing performance, manufacturability, reliability, and schedule.
Support manufacturing and production by communicating design intent, resolving build issues, reviewing nonconformance reports, and implementing corrective actions.
Develop tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment for integration and test activities.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, disability, group term life and AD&D, and voluntary life and AD&D insurance.
BlackSky pays 100% of employee-only medical, dental, and vision premiums and contributes $100 per month toward out-of-pocket expenses.
15 days of PTO, 11 company holidays, four floating holidays prorated based on hire date, one day of paid volunteerism leave per year, and parental leave.
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.
Choice of Mac or PC.
Company swag.