Staff Engineer, Constellation Operations

Staff Engineer, Constellation Operations

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.

As a part of our Constellation Operations Engineering team, your responsibilities are expected to be wide ranging, spanning many different aspects of the constellation architecture including satellite systems, ground stations, and ground software. Specifically, you will train to operate the satellites while providing recommendations on operations procedure and process improvement from previous space industry experience. In this role, you will help ensure successful on-orbit satellite commissioning by serving on-console during launch and early operations activities. Your efforts to review telemetry and spacecraft logs will lead to anomaly investigation and resolution, as well as execution of routine maintenance across the constellation. You will conduct testing on virtual ground assets to prove concepts of operation and safety of commands before tasking satellites on orbit. With basic Python skills, you will begin contributing to a growing repository of software tools designed to streamline operations, reduce human-error and optimize constellation performance. This position reports to the Manager, Constellation Operations and will support our Seattle, WA office with a flexibility for hybrid schedule.

Responsibilities:

• Rapidly learn our Constellation architecture, including spacecraft bus, flight software, ground network and ground control software throughout BlackSky's training and qualification program.
• Participate in technical efforts for on-orbit operations, including launch and early operations (LEOP), routine maintenance, and anomaly response.
• Investigate anomalies through telemetry trending and review, as well as execute Bench Testing and Maintenance tickets as assigned in Jira.
• Perform daily spacecraft health trending activities, including constellation data review, system log review, imaging performance and ground automation performance.
• Design, manage, and lead operations software tooling development in Python. This includes data trending tools, automated constellation performance review, key performance metrics measurement and analysis, among other things.
• Lead operational testing for Flight Software and Ground software before deployment to mission critical systems.
• Lead complex evolutions and anomaly responses on console in the Mission Operations Center.
• Support planning and execution of future maintenance activities on the satellite constellation.
• This position requires a rotational on-call support, as well as occasional short-duration 24/7 support, including launch activities and on-console anomaly support when required.
• Support launch and early operations support activities as assigned.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, or Computer Science or equivalent experience (four additional years of experience).
• At least 10 years of experience in a relevant technical engineering field. 
• Python proficiency.
• Linux familiarity. 
• Experience in an operations environment (aerospace, gas/oil, nuclear, energy, manufacturing, etc). 
• Familiarity with satellite systems and the space environment. 
• Possess strong team and inter-team cooperation and organization skills.
• A strong sense of self-motivation and ability to work concurrent, independent tasks. 
• Comfort working in mission-critical environments and making risk-based decisions. 
• The program this role supports requires being a US-born citizen.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 12 or more years of experience in space operations environment (satellites, launch vehicles, ground stations).
• Masters degree in a technical field.
• Experience in technical training and operational procedure development.
• Subject matter expertise in one or more spacecraft subsystems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a strong understanding of audience.
• Experience working with systems in automation.
• Prior experience with Jira, Confluence, GitHub and STK or similar tools.

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
• Professional development
• Mac or PC? Your choice!
• Awesome swag

While we may consider more junior candidates, the anticipated salary range for candidates at the posted level in Seattle, WA is $145,000-$175,000 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.

EEO/AAP/ Pay Transparency Statements: https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf
https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/OFCCP_EEO_Supplement_Final_JRF_QA_508c.pdf