Mechanical Engineering Manager

BlackSky•Tukwila, WA

About The Position

BlackSky is a real-time intelligence company that operates a space-based intelligence platform, providing satellite imagery, automated analytics, and high-frequency monitoring to government and commercial customers. The company describes its global team as people-first, customer-focused, and collaborative. The Mechanical Engineering Manager leads the Mechanical Design Engineering team, responsible for space vehicle systems, structures, mechanisms, components, and ground support equipment. The manager establishes and maintains design processes that balance technical rigor, performance, risk, program objectives, and schedules; provides the team with training, mentorship, tools, and resources; and allocates design support across BlackSky programs. The role is accountable for the technical quality and performance of BlackSky mechanical designs. Alongside management duties, the role contributes directly as a Design Engineer across the satellite program lifecycle, from concept through production. This includes developing concepts for satellite structures, system layouts, and support equipment; maturing those designs; creating CAD models; selecting materials; preparing and maintaining manufacturing documentation; and supporting production. The position works with flight, prototype, and ground support hardware as part of a multidisciplinary technical team. The role manages the technical and schedule performance of a team of 4–8 Mechanical Design Engineers; establishes standards for Creo CAD and Windchill PLM; plans and prioritizes team workload; supports recruiting and onboarding; and partners with Space Vehicle Engineering, Production, and Supply Chain. As a technical lead and individual contributor, the manager leads technical efforts, designs spacecraft structures and components, produces engineering and manufacturing documentation, supports manufacturing and integration activities, and develops tooling and ground support equipment as needed.

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 software 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. For export-control purposes, this includes a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or a person eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations.

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 criticality with practicality, program objectives, risk posture, and goals.
Establish standards for effective use of Creo CAD and Windchill PLM, including modeling, drawing, configuration management, and release practices.
Develop professional development plans, challenging assignments, training, and mentorship to grow the team's satellite mechanical design expertise.
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 employees, 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 and full program scope considerations; develop technical plans that meet requirements and schedules.
Work in multidisciplinary teams to deliver space vehicle designs, production plans, and test strategies supporting 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.
Make engineering decisions when data is incomplete, 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 as needed for integration and test activities.
Develop satellite structure, system layout, and support-equipment concepts; mature designs through production.
Select materials and support production involving flight, prototype, and ground support hardware.

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 for 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.