Staff Software Engineer, Command and Control Seattle, WA; Herndon, VA; Remote

BlackSky; Seattle (WA); Remote; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with employer match

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Flexible Spending Accounts

15 days PTO and paid volunteerism leave

Job summary

BlackSky, located in Seattle, WA, is searching for a Staff Software Engineer in the Command and Control team. The role involves developing software for mission management services and requires a minimum of eight years of relevant experience in software development, particularly with Python and Go.

Ideal candidates will have expertise in software design, implementation, and be proactive in problem-solving. BlackSky offers a competitive salary and a robust benefits package including medical, dental, and a generous PTO policy.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of software development experience.
• Expert knowledge of software design and implementation.
• Ability to manage multiple independent activities.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain software for mission management services.
• Participate in design and code reviews.
• Interface with planning and engineering teams.

Skills

Fluency in Python

Strong understanding of Go

Software design

Data structures

Algorithm efficiency

Problem-solving

Excellent communication skills

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in computer science or related field

Job description

Staff Software Engineer, Command and Control

Seattle, WA; Herndon, VA; Remote

Staff Software Engineer, Command and Control

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.

BlackSky is looking for a strong, self-starting and eager engineer to join our Engineering team on the Command and Control team. This integrated product team is working to develop and maintain optimal, automated autonomous operations for the BlackSky constellation. Scope of expertise includes software system design and architecture, data structures, efficient data storage and retrieval, software performance and scaling, and efficient maintainable algorithm implementation. The candidate should have solid experience in developing and deploying production-level systems at scale.

In this role, you will develop and track requirements, schedules, and technical implementation for a wide variety of mission management products and see them through to operation on orbit. Opportunities will exist for production code development in Python and Go. As you learn the BlackSky automated software architecture, you will be expected to grow into technical or functional leadership after demonstrated capability for individual contribution and development of expert level of knowledge of the system. While the locations listed in the job posting are ideal, we would love candidates near Seattle, WA offices. We may also consider remote candidates in certain states.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain software for the components making up BlackSky’s mission management services.
• Participate in design reviews, code reviews, and team planning discussions.
• Take an active role in testing, debugging, and documenting implemented software functionality.
• Proactively identify problems with requirements (lack of clarity, inconsistencies, technical limitations) and communicate these issues early.
• Interface with mission planning, ground software, and platform engineers to plan and execute autonomous constellation operations software products.
• Assist with operational tasks to ensure stability in production environments and support ongoing constellation operations and customer fulfillment efforts.
• Support on-call rotations and troubleshooting of live system operations as needed.
• Support Launch and Early Operations of new satellites.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or higher in computer science, mathematics, physics, statistics, or another computational field or equivalent experience.
• A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant software development experience.
• Fluency in Python, a strong understanding of Go, and comfortable using other languages when necessary.
• Expert knowledge of software design, maintenance, and implementation including data structures, data retrieval and storage, algorithm efficiency, and maintainable scalable code.
• Demonstrated initiative to identify and solve problems or inefficiencies in your current field of expertise.
• Possess strong team and inter-team cooperation and organization skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a strong understanding of audience.
• Ability to sustain a workload consisting of several concurrent, independent activities.
• This position may support programs which require US citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with satellite first principals such as orbital mechanics, attitude dynamics, and satellite systems.
• Expertise in software/hardware performance characteristic.
• Experience with automation of complex systems (satellite, vehicle fleets, drones, etc.).
• Knowledge of geospatial systems or data.

Benefits

• 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 $150,000-$180,000 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/Affirmative Action 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.