Principal Space Systems Research and Development Engineer

blacksky; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Job summary

BlackSky seeks a Principal Space Systems R&D Engineer to lead a portfolio of satellite-related technologies. The role requires guiding ideas from concept through validated prototypes, in partnership with engineering and customer-facing teams, with a focus on fast-paced, mission-critical delivery.

Located near Herndon, VA, the candidate will drive cross-functional efforts, coordinate with Sales and Program Managers, and ensure timely transitions to engineering for production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, electrical, mechanical, physics or related field.
• 12+ years of experience as a systems engineer for space systems.
• Direct work on 5+ flight programs developing space hardware.
• Direct work as a tech lead on 5+ space hardware development efforts.
• Experience across electrical, mechanical, and software domains.
• 5+ government contracts experience with US government customers.
• Strong cross-functional leadership and ability to deliver in fast-paced environments.
• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Identify satellite technologies of strategic interest and narrow to a focused portfolio.
• Collaborate with Sales/BD and Customer Program Managers to source R&D funds and prepare pitches.
• Drive technical execution once funded and assess impact and feasibility during development.
• Coordinate transitions from Advanced Concepts to Engineering teams for production.
• Mentor other engineers and share knowledge across teams.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Systems engineering

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace/related field

Tools

Space hardware development

Job description

Principal Space Systems Research and Development Engineer

About Us:

BlackSky is a real-time intelligence company. We own and operate the world's most advanced space-based intelligence platform and provide customers satellite imagery, automated analytics and high-frequency monitoring of strategic locations, economic assets and events from around the globe. BlackSky is trusted by the most demanding allied military and intelligence organizations and commercial companies to deliver foresight into critical matters that affect national security and the economy. BlackSky's data enables governments and businesses to see, understand and anticipate change as it happens, giving them the ultimate strategic advantage so they can act quickly. Our global team works with cutting-edge technology to make a difference around the world and prides itself on being people-first, customer-focused and fun.

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.

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.

Required Qualifications:

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 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
• Life at BlackSky for full-time US benefits eligible employees includes :
• Medical, d