Staff Mission Solutions Engineer

BlackSky • Herndon, VA

2d • $165,000 - $205,000 • Remote

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 company is seeking a Mission Solutions Engineer to drive technical sales for its electro-optical (EO) satellite sales portfolio, focusing on international defense and intelligence customers. This role involves translating complex space imaging capabilities into value for non-US customers, partnering with business development and engineering teams to scope requirements, design solutions, and support the sales cycle. This is a remote position with significant international travel expectations.

Requirements

• Minimum of eight (8) years of experience in solutions engineering, sales engineering, or technical account management within the commercial remote sensing, satellite imaging, or broader space industry.
• Working knowledge of electro-optical (EO) satellite imaging systems — satellite hardware, collection planning, tasking, resolution/revisit tradeoffs, and imagery product types, ground architecture, and satellite command and control.
• Demonstrated experience selling or supporting sales to international defense, intelligence, or government customers.
• Understanding of (or willingness to quickly learn) regional and customer nuance as it relates to offset, export control, IP transfer, etc.
• Familiarity with GEOINT/ISR workflows and how imagery integrates into customer analytic and operational systems.
• Strong presentation and communication skills, with experience briefing senior military, government, or intelligence stakeholders.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical field (geography, GIS, remote sensing, engineering, or related) or equivalent professional experience.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally approximately 50% of the time.
• Fluency in English required; additional regional languages a plus depending on territory.
• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Nice To Haves

• Prior military, intelligence community, or government service, especially in a role involving imagery intelligence (IMINT), targeting, or ISR operations.
• Direct experience with a commercial satellite operator or satellite services provider.
• Existing professional network among defense ministries, intelligence services, or systems integrators in the Gulf, Europe, or Asia-Pacific.
• Advanced degree in engineering, geography, remote sensing, space systems, or a related technical field.
• Experience with SAR or multi-sensor fusion in addition to EO imagery.
• Familiarity with CRM and sales engineering tools (Salesforce, technical proposal platforms).
• Existing security clearance or eligibility for one, where applicable to the assigned territory.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead technical advisor throughout the satellite sales cycle, partnering with BD Leads on international defense, intelligence, and government accounts.
• Translate customer mission requirements (ISR, imaging constellation performance, satellite specifications, communications and latency requirements, ground software, collection planning,) into tailored proposals for procurement of satellite constellations based in BlackSky’s existing and future designs.
• Deliver technical presentations, product demonstrations, and proof-of-concept exercises to senior military, intelligence, and government stakeholders.
• Respond to RFIs/RFPs with technical narratives, satellite specifications, and ground software architecture inputs.
• Work to understand procurement model, involvement in operations, and integration requirements for both ground and space segments.
• Advise on integration of satellite systems into customer GEOINT/ISR systems, ground stations, and analytic tool chains.
• Partner with Product Management and Engineering to relay field requirements and competitive intelligence from international markets.
• Build and maintain trusted technical relationships with defense ministries, intelligence services, and allied government agencies outside the US.
• Represent the company at international defense/space trade shows, industry days, and government briefings.
• Navigate export control data sovereignty, regional offset requirements, and foreign disclosure considerations relevant to each market.
• Coordinate with Contracts, Legal, and Export Compliance on deal structuring for international government sales.
• Capture and document lessons learned, win/loss technical feedback, and competitive positioning.
• 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