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Senior Space Vehicle Systems Engineer Verified today

BlackSky · Tukwila, WA · Space Systems · first seen 2026-09-22
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About BlackSky

BlackSky is a real-time intelligence company that owns and operates a space-based intelligence platform. We provide satellite imagery, automated analytics and high-frequency monitoring to allied military, intelligence organizations and commercial customers worldwide.

The Role

Systems Engineers at BlackSky ensure all components, subsystems, hardware and software integrate to produce best-in-class spacecraft. You will provide key leadership in definition, verification, assembly and delivery of our industry-defining satellites, involved throughout the engineering lifecycle from mission needs through design, integration, test and on-orbit operations.

You will report to the Director, Systems Engineering and work in our Tukwila, WA office with a hybrid on-site schedule of 3 days per week and significant flexibility for part-time remote work.

Responsibilities

  • Organize, lead and support development of internal and customer-facing systems engineering deliverables
  • Build and refine automated tools for analyzing test, analysis and verification data at component, subsystem, vehicle and constellation levels
  • Define and decompose system CONOPS into vehicle, subsystem and component requirements
  • Build and maintain tools to rapidly generate space-vehicle technical budgets and analysis products
  • Develop system, subsystem and component verification and test plans
  • Communicate technical information, analysis results, findings and trades to peers, the Program Chief Engineer, program management and customers
  • Identify and implement automation solutions to streamline workflows across Engineering, Production and Operations
  • Represent Systems Engineering within subsystem-focused Integrated Product Teams to ensure needs are met and sound SE practices are applied
  • Provide technical oversight of component and unit suppliers and support supply chain activities

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Computer Science, Aerospace, Systems or Electrical preferred)
  • Minimum 5+ years of experience in Aerospace or Defense Industry with at least 2 years conducting analysis of real-time hardware and software systems
  • Proficient with Python for data analysis
  • Strong foundation for developing component and subsystem software models
  • Strong understanding of spacecraft, subsystem behaviors and associated dependencies
  • Demonstrated ability to produce satellite budgets and analyses (power, mass, reliability, etc.)
  • Proficient with requirements management practices
  • Experience developing systems engineering artifacts: Interface Control Documents, block diagrams, activity diagrams, sequence diagrams, state machines, etc.
  • Strong sense of ownership, innate sense of urgency and bias toward eliminating waste and inefficiency

Preferred Qualifications

  • Demonstrated technical depth in a spacecraft subsystem or payload
  • Experience with requirements tracking tools (e.g. Jama, DOORS)
  • Experience with Jira, Confluence, GitHub or similar tools
  • Strong understanding of spacecraft avionics, the space environment, basic astrodynamics and related spacecraft design considerations
  • Experience with Ansys System Tool Kit (STK) or similar simulation tools
  • Experience with Model Based Systems Engineering tools and SysML
  • Experience working within a Scaled Agile or comparable Agile framework

Compensation and Benefits

Anticipated salary range for Washington state: $125,000-$145,000 per year. Final compensation depends on specific background and education.

Full-time benefits eligible employees receive:

  • Medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance (BlackSky pays 100% of employee-only premiums for medical, dental and vision, and contributes $100/month for out-of-pocket expenses)
  • 15 days PTO, 11 company holidays, four floating holidays, paid volunteerism leave and parental leave
  • 401(k) with employer match
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Employee Stock Purchase Program
  • Employee Assistance and Travel Assistance Programs
  • Employer matching donations
  • Professional development

Legal

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 required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.