Principal Space Systems Research and Development Engineer

BlackSky • Herndon, VA

29d • Hybrid

About The Position

As a principal engineer in the Space Systems R&D group, you will lead the technical development of a portfolio of innovative satellite-related technologies to deliver validated, high-impact prototypes that are ready for integration into BlackSky’s operational capabilities. This portfolio will be a mixture of ideas, some of which BlackSky asks you to lead and some of which you yourself originate. Your portfolio will also have a mixture of time horizons. Some ideas will be small, low-risk, and concrete with an expectation of improving BlackSky’s offerings within ~12-18 months. Other ideas will be big, risky, and aspirational, offering the opportunity to massively improve BlackSky’s offerings on a ~3-4 years horizon. You are the champion for your portfolio and will be asked to bring it to life in partnership with other engineering and customer-facing roles. This position reports to the VP, Imaging and due to classified support requires a candidate being near our Herndon, VA office or another location if the candidate has access to a local SCIF.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a comparable field.
• Extensive experience as a systems engineer developing space systems (at least 12 years).
• Direct work experience on multiple (5+) distinct flight programs to develop space hardware
• Direct work experience as a tech lead on multiple (5+) space hardware development efforts
• Experience working across multiple engineering disciplines, including electrical, mechanical, and software systems.
• Multiple (5+) distinct experiences successfully capturing government contracts and working with US government customers to develop space systems.
• Proven ability to drive cross-functional efforts and deliver results in fast-paced, schedule-critical environments.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and writing skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility.

Nice To Haves

• Direct work experience on multiple distinct flight programs that cover a range of both cost and complexity; this could include anything from delivering a new component to delivering an entire satellite.
• Direct work experience developing space systems for international government customers.
• Direct work experience as a project manager.
• Depth of knowledge in at least one of the following specialty areas: Space-based optical systems, Other (ie non-optical) remote sensing phenomonologies, Space-based communications systems, On-board processing, Security and/or resiliency of space-based systems, Space-based guidance, navigation, and control systems, Integration & test of precision systems, Space mechanisms and advanced structures

Responsibilities

• Identify satellite technologies of strategic interest to the business; vet these ideas with senior leaders at BlackSky and down select to a focused set of pursuits (aka your portfolio).
• Work with Sales/BD and Customer Program Managers to source R&D funds for your portfolio; this will include writing whitepapers, making pitch slides, and meeting with prospective customers, oftentimes at their facilities.
• Once an idea has funding, you will drive the technical execution on the funded program.
• While you are executing on the program, you will also continue to assess the idea’s impact and feasibility. You may continue to evangelize an idea or you may realize a showstopping issue, such is the life of R&D! You aren’t beholden to a particular idea; you are beholden to positive impact and mission utility.
• Once you have a validated prototype that is ready for integration into BlackSky’s operational architecture, you will work with Engineering to ensure a timely and effective transition from Advanced Concepts to the appropriate Engineering team.
• Mentor other engineers to bring your extensive knowledge of exciting technologies and/or capabilities to BlackSky.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal