Staff HDL Hardware Engineer

BlackSky•Tukwila, WA

6d•Hybrid

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. The Staff HDL Engineer will act as a hardware designer, systems engineer, HDL programmer, and test engineer, with full product ownership from initial concept definition through operation by the end user. The role focuses on delivering products that meet or exceed requirements and enable new satellite capabilities, while collaborating with engineers across systems, software, mechanical, and other disciplines. This is a hybrid position based out of BlackSky’s Tukwila, Washington office and reports to the Director, Electrical Engineering.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field involving training in digital electronics design.
10 or more years of experience in digital design, including HDL programming (VHDL preferred), test bench development, and prototype testing.
Experience with embedded processors in a SoC FPGA and the associated programmable logic–processor interfaces.
Demonstrated ability to write test benches using ModelSim, Vivado Simulator, or similar tools.
Hands-on laboratory experience using multimeters, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, programmable power supplies, or similar equipment.
Experience implementing, prototyping, and bringing up high-speed interfaces.
Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach within a multidisciplinary team.
Must be a U.S. Person.

Nice To Haves

Delivered multiple products with full ownership from initial concept and architecture definition through production and final implementation.
Experience with components such as precision voltage references, oscillators, supervisory circuits, and ADCs.
Experience selecting components for FPGAs, ADCs, DDR, NVRAM, and high-speed transceivers such as LVDS and Ethernet PHYs.
Experience with 10Gb Ethernet or PCIe.
Experience designing electronics for use in a space environment.
Experience with Microchip and AMD/Xilinx FPGA development.
Experience designing automated test equipment using Python.
Proficiency with C, C++, Perl, and Python.

Responsibilities

Serve as a digital hardware design engineer for spacecraft avionics, participating in requirements development, design, prototyping, bring-up, testing, debugging, design iteration, and transition to production across different assembly levels.
Synthesize design requirements from unit-level and system-level specifications.
Write HDL for a variety of FPGAs and verify designs using simulation and test.
Create test benches for designs.
Troubleshoot performance during hardware testing and bring-up.
Create interface and design description documentation to support Flight Software verification and validation.
Work with external suppliers to develop specifications, exchange data and deliverables, troubleshoot issues, and develop integration and test approaches.
Participate in Research & Development initiatives and support the establishment of new avionics products.

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 paid volunteerism day 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.
Company swag.