Principal Space Systems Research and Development Engineer New Herndon, VA

BlackSky; Herndon (VA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with match

Paid time off (PTO)

Job summary

BlackSky is seeking a Principal Space Systems Research and Development Engineer to lead a portfolio of satellite-related technologies and drive prototypes toward integration with BlackSky’s operational capabilities.

You will shepherd ideas from funding and feasibility through technical execution, collaborating with engineering and customer-facing teams, while mentoring others and shaping the roadmap for space systems development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics or comparable field.
• Extensive systems engineering experience on space systems (12+ years).
• Direct work on multiple flight programs (5+).
• Direct tech lead experience on multiple space hardware developments (5+).
• Experience across electrical, mechanical and software disciplines.
• Experience capturing government contracts with US government customers (5+).
• Ability to drive cross‑functional efforts in fast-paced environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to address technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Identify satellite technologies of strategic interest and build a focused portfolio.
• Source R&D funds through Sales/BD and Customer Program Managers; prepare whitepapers and pitches.
• Lead the funded program’s technical execution and assess impact and feasibility.
• Facilitate transition of validated prototypes to Engineering for integration.
• Mentor engineers and share knowledge of advanced technologies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Systems engineering

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Project portfolio management

Government contracts

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Physics

Comparable field

Job description

Principal Space Systems Research and Development Engineer

Herndon, VA

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, 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
• Mac or PC? Your choice!
• Awesome swag

The anticipated salary range for candidates is $180,000-$215,000 per year. The final compensation package offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on specific background and education. BlackSky is a multi-state employer and this pay scale may vary based on location.

BlackSky is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

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. #LI-Hybrid