Senior Engineer - Embedded/Flight Software

BlackSky; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with match

Stock Purchase Program

Paid time off & holidays

Volunteer leave

Flexible Spending Accounts

Job summary

BlackSky seeks a Senior Engineer for Embedded/Flight Software in Seattle. You will design, develop, and lead software for satellite imaging payload and ADCS subsystems, collaborating with cross‑functional teams and mentoring peers.

The role blends hands‑on coding with technical leadership, with opportunities to expand into other flight software subsystems while supporting systems engineering activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in CS, CE, or EE (or equivalent).
• 6+ years of commercial/embedded software in production.
• Proficient in C/C++ and Python.
• Embedded Linux experience with Buildroot/Yocto.

Responsibilities

• Provide subject matter expertise for ADCS and imaging payload software.
• Lead in Agile-like environments using Jira, including standups and sprint planning.
• Collaborate with ESG and cross-functional teams to deliver features and fixes on time.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Embedded systems

Leadership

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/CE/EE

Advanced degree (MS/PhD)

Tools

Jira

Buildroot

Yocto

FreeRTOS

u-boot

Job description

Senior Engineer - Embedded/Flight Software

Seattle, WA

Senior Engineer - Embedded/Flight Software

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.

Join the Satellite Embedded Software Group (ESG) as a Senior Flight Software Engineer. This is a hands-on individual contributor role that reports to the Senior Manager of Flight Software. You’ll be responsible for software design, development and technical leadership primarily for the satellite imaging payload and ADCS subsystems. This role will also contribute to software requirements and test plan support. As you grow with the team, you’ll have opportunities to work on other flight software subsystems as well as mentorship.

As a Senior member of the ESG team, you’ll make a large business impact across multiple critical programs from design to execution. You’ll collaborate across our embedded systems group and work closely with other cross-functional and program team members, including Satellite Operations and Mission Management.The preferred location is Tukwila, WA with the ability to work in the Tukwila office 1-2 days a week but we may be open to exceptional remote candidates.

Responsibilities:

• Provide subject matter expertise for ADCS and imaging payload subsystem software design and development.
• Drive work to timely completion using task management tools like Jira in an Agile-like environment; participate and lead in status and standup meetings, sprint planning, tasking, etc.
• Collaborate with other ESG software team members and other cross-functional engineers from multiple disciplines to deliver mission-critical software features and bugfixes that are on-time and defect free.
• Ensure that adequate documentation, test, inspection, and analysis is delivered and performed to verify compliance with requirements and other goals.
• Assist with Systems Engineering with requirements development and management.
• Execute and provide feedback for flight software design, development, unit tests and releases processes.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering or equivalent experience.
• At least six (6) years of experience delivering and maintaining commercial/embedded software in a production environment.
• Expertise in engineering clean and maintainable C/C++ and Python code.
• Expertise in embedded systems, ideally in Embedded Linux including related build systems (Buildroot, Yocto, etc.).
• Proven experience leading cross-functional teams to deliver products on time and on budget.
• Outstanding root cause analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work across teams, skill sets, communication in a diverse environment.
• Must be able to work with minimal supervision.
• Due to program requirements, this role requires US-born citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (masters or PhD) in a relevant field of study.
• Experience in board bring-up for embedded linux platforms.
• Familiarity with hardware interfaces (GPIO, I 2 C, SPI, CAN, USART, PHY, SpaceWire, Cameralink, RS-422), or high-speed interfaces (10G Ethernet, DMA, PCIe).
• Experience with Real Time Operating Systems, including FreeRTOS.
• Familiarity with u-boot, or other boot loaders.
• Space Industry Experience, and familiarity with satellite components.
• Experience working on embedded software relevant to ADCS/GNC.

Life at BlackSky for full-time 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 in Seattle, WA is $140,000 - $165,000 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 not reflect salary ranges in other states or locations outside of Seattle, WA.

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.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in BlackSky’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.