Senior EO Payload Engineer — Hybrid Space Imaging

BlackSky; Tukwila (WA); Hybrid; USD 155,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Paid time off & holidays

401(k) and matching

Employee stock purchase program

Flexible spending accounts

Professional development

Hybrid work model

Job summary

BlackSky is seeking a Staff EO Payload Engineer to architect, design and test new EO payloads. You will work with the Payload and Constellation Engineering teams to validate payloads, build test facilities, and support on-orbit commissioning throughout the lifecycle.

Proximity to the Tukwila, WA production facility is required as hardware arrives, with a hybrid-remote start allowed and a local-by-2026 requirement.

Qualifications

• Bachelors in optical engineering, physics or related field (or equivalent).
• 10+ years in imaging optical systems testing/assembly.
• Hands-on lab experience with optical test instrumentation.
• Proficiency in at least one technical programming language (Python or similar).
• Strong grasp of optical image formation physics and detector phenomenology.

Responsibilities

• Develop integration, verification and test strategies for EO payloads.
• Build and maintain optical test facilities and GSE.
• Test payloads and support satellite integration
• Collaborate with engineering, PM and production for end-to-end validation.
• Define requirements and oversee design/build of test infrastructure for payloads.
• Support development of EO payload architectures and concepts.
• Model and analyze new sensors to support R&D strategy.
• Develop optical system requirements for new designs.
• Provide guidance on procurement and integration of optics.
• Support on-orbit commissioning and performance evaluation.

Skills

Optical engineering

Physics

Programming (Python)

Space systems familiarity

Test & integration

Technical writing & specs

Education

BSc in optical engineering or physics

Postgraduate degree a plus

Tools

Optical test instruments

Interferometers

Theodolite/Laser tracker

GSE/test equipment

Job description

BlackSky is seeking a Staff EO Payload Engineer to architect, design and test new EO payloads. You will work with the Payload and Constellation Engineering teams to validate payloads, build test facilities, and support on-orbit commissioning throughout the lifecycle.

Proximity to the Tukwila, WA production facility is required as hardware arrives, with a hybrid-remote start allowed and a local-by-2026 requirement.