Senior Engineer - Embedded/Flight Software

BlackSky•Seattle, WA

About The Position

BlackSky is a real-time intelligence company that owns and operates a space-based intelligence platform, providing satellite imagery, automated analytics, and high-frequency monitoring. The company serves allied military and intelligence organizations and commercial customers with information intended to help them understand and anticipate change. The Senior Flight Software Engineer is a hands-on individual contributor on BlackSky’s Satellite Embedded Software Group (ESG), reporting to the Senior Manager of Flight Software. The role focuses primarily on software design, development, and technical leadership for satellite imaging payload and ADCS subsystems, and also contributes to software requirements and test plan support. The engineer will work across critical programs from design through execution, collaborating with embedded systems colleagues and cross-functional partners, including Satellite Operations and Mission Management. The role may also expand to other flight software subsystems and mentorship opportunities. The preferred location is Tukwila, Washington, with the ability to work in the Tukwila office one to two days per week; exceptional remote candidates may also be considered. The position requires U.S.-born citizenship due to program requirements. The posting also states that, to conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, candidates must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
At least six years of experience delivering and maintaining commercial or embedded software in a production environment.
Expertise in writing clean, maintainable C/C++ and Python code.
Expertise in embedded systems, ideally Embedded Linux and related build systems such as Buildroot or Yocto.
Proven experience leading cross-functional teams to deliver products on time and on budget.
Outstanding root cause analysis and problem-solving skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to work across teams and skill sets and communicate in a diverse environment.
Ability to work with minimal supervision.
U.S.-born citizenship is required for this role according to the program requirements.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (master’s or Ph.D.) in a relevant field of study.
Experience with board bring-up for Embedded Linux platforms.
Familiarity with hardware interfaces such as GPIO, I²C, SPI, CAN, USART, PHY, SpaceWire, Camera Link, and RS-422, or high-speed interfaces such as 10G Ethernet, DMA, and PCIe.
Experience with real-time operating systems, including FreeRTOS.
Familiarity with U-Boot or other boot loaders.
Space industry experience and familiarity with satellite components.
Experience working on embedded software relevant to ADCS/GNC.

Responsibilities

Provide subject matter expertise for ADCS and imaging payload subsystem software design and development.
Drive work to timely completion using task management tools such as Jira in an Agile-like environment; participate in and lead status and standup meetings, sprint planning, and tasking.
Collaborate with ESG software team members and cross-functional engineers from multiple disciplines to deliver mission-critical software features and bug fixes on time and defect-free.
Ensure adequate documentation, testing, inspection, and analysis are delivered and performed to verify compliance with requirements and other goals.
Assist Systems Engineering with requirements development and management.
Execute and provide feedback for flight software design, development, unit tests, and release processes.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

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.