Senior EO Payload Engineer - Space Imaging & Test Lead

Blacksky Holdings LLC; Tukwila (WA); Hybrid; USD 155,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

15+ PTO and holidays

401(k) matching

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Professional development

Mac or PC choice

Awesome swag

Job summary

BlackSky, a real-time intelligence company, seeks a Staff Electro-Optical Payload Engineer to architect, test and integrate imaging payloads for spaceborne platforms. You will shape test strategies, build facilities, and work with cross-functional teams to ensure payload performance and flight readiness.

The role emphasizes testing and integration near Tukwila, WA with hybrid work; candidates will relocate locally by 2026.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in design, integration or test of optical imaging systems for space.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in optical engineering, physics, or related field.
• Hands-on lab experience with interferometers and alignment tooling.
• Proficiency in at least one numerical/technical programming language.
• Strong grasp of optical image formation physics and detector phenomenology.
• Experience with radiometry and system performance modeling.
• Familiarity with satellite/payload interface constraints and CONOPs.

Responsibilities

• Develop integration, verification and test strategies for EO payloads.
• Build and maintain optical test facilities and GSE.
• Test payloads and support satellite integration with production teams.
• Collaborate with engineering, PM and production for end-to-end validation.
• Define requirements and oversee design/build of payload test infra.
• Support design of new EO payload architectures and concepts.
• Analyze sensor designs to inform R&D and strategic direction.
• Develop optical system requirements for new designs.
• Provide technical oversight for procurement and integration.
• Support on-orbit commissioning and end-of-life characterization.

Skills

Optical engineering

Imaging systems testing

Programming (numerical)

Satellite/payload interface

US citizenship

Optical test facilities

Education

Bachelors in Optical Engineering or Physics

Postgraduate degree (preferred)

Job description

BlackSky, a real-time intelligence company, seeks a Staff Electro-Optical Payload Engineer to architect, test and integrate imaging payloads for spaceborne platforms. You will shape test strategies, build facilities, and work with cross-functional teams to ensure payload performance and flight readiness.

The role emphasizes testing and integration near Tukwila, WA with hybrid work; candidates will relocate locally by 2026.