Senior Software Engineer, Design in Test (SDET)

BlackSky • Seattle, WA

2d • Hybrid

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 Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) is responsible for designing and implementing automated test frameworks, tools, and simulated environments to ensure the reliability and quality of enterprise software systems. This role is development-focused, centering on building test harnesses, emulating third-party systems and network conditions, and creating robust automation infrastructure for in-house validation. The SDET develops reusable test code, service/API simulators, and scalable Python-based frameworks that integrate into CI/CD pipelines for consistent and repeatable coverage across complex application workflows. They also analyze system behavior, investigate failures, collaborate with developers, and validate fixes to enhance product stability and release confidence. Due to the nature of working with physical lab environments and shared test equipment, the engineer will be expected to work onsite in a hybrid capacity in both Seattle and Tukwila offices, typically two days per week, with flexibility for project needs. This position reports to the Senior Manager, Test and is responsible for all software test activities within the company, influencing test strategy, automation direction, and product quality.

Requirements

• Minimum of six (6) years of experience as a Software Test Engineer, Automation Engineer, or SDET, with significant hands‑on software development responsibilities.
• Bachelor's degree in relevant field of study (or equivalent additional experience of four years).
• Strong proficiency in Python, including writing reusable modules, building automation frameworks, and creating test harnesses or tools.
• Experience developing automated API tests using Python Requests or equivalent frameworks; experience with Postman/Newman preferred.
• Experience designing and maintaining automated UI tests (Python Playwright preferred), with emphasis on code structure and maintainability.
• Experience building Python‑based utilities, simulators, mocks, or environment emulators to support complex test scenarios.
• Familiarity with reporting test results and integrating automation with Jira/XRay, Slack, or similar tools.
• Strong ability to analyze automated test results, identify root causes across services and layers, and validate fixes in collaboration with developers.
• Working knowledge of CI-based automated test pipelines, nightly execution workflows, and test orchestration.
• Understanding of distributed systems, API-driven architectures, and service interactions.
• Strong troubleshooting and debugging skills across application layers (API, backend services, UI).
• Ability to document test plans, automation approaches, and defect reports with clarity and precision.
• Due to program requirements, this position requires US-born citizenship.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with RabbitMQ and Kafka in event-driven or message-based architectures.
• Experience coding in Go.
• Experience with secure, onprem, or airgapped deployment environments.
• Experience with performance and load testing.
• Defense, aerospace, or government program background.
• Geospatial or remote sensing system experience.
• Experience writing integration documentation, runbooks, or system validation procedures.
• Master's degree in a relevant field of study.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain automated test frameworks and tools using Python, enabling scalable and reliable testing across services, APIs, and UI workflows.
• Build Python or Go based simulators, mocks, and emulators to replicate third-party environments, network behavior, and integration scenarios for in-house testing.
• Develop, maintain, and execute automated API test suites using Python Requests, custom harnesses, and Postman/Newman when appropriate.
• Build and maintain automated UI test suites using Python Playwright, with a focus on reusable components, selectors, and page-object patterns.
• Monitor nightly automated test runs, analyze failures, and provide actionable insights through integrations with Jira/X‑Ray, Slack, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Troubleshoot and diagnose issues across APIs, backend services, and UI workflows, collaborating with developers to isolate root causes and verify fixes.
• Perform targeted manual testing for new feature development, complex regression scenarios, and defect reproduction where automation is not yet feasible.
• Validate functional behavior, edge cases, and system workflows across distributed application components.
• Document test frameworks, automation patterns, test cases, expected outcomes, and reproduction steps for defects.
• Support and improve internal Python‑based test applications, tools, and services used in daily verification workflows.
• Ensure adequate test coverage for new features, releases, and high‑risk areas.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of automation tooling, coding standards, and test strategy.
• Assist in ensuring readiness of builds for deployment and release.
• 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: Senior