Principal Engineer, Spacecraft Test Development

About the role

BlackSky is a real-time intelligence company that owns and operates the world's most advanced space-based intelligence platform. We provide satellite imagery, automated analytics, and high-frequency monitoring services to military and intelligence organizations, as well as commercial clients. The Satellite Test Development Engineer plays a crucial role in ensuring every satellite is reliably tested before launch.

Responsibilities

• Own the transition of test campaigns from engineering development to production-ready execution.
• Architect subsystem and spacecraft-level qualification and acceptance test campaigns across all subsystems.
• Plan, manage, and task cross-functional team members supporting test development.
• Translate system verification requirements into efficient, executable, and scalable test plans.
• Lead cross-functional effort to develop comprehensive test plans, procedures, scripts, and automation frameworks to enable repeatable, low-variance execution.
• Partner with engineering, program management, and production to ensure comprehensive and efficient end-to-end validation of satellite test from plan through design and execution.
• Define requirements for and oversee the design and build of test Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and other test infrastructure.
• Ensure test approaches incorporate best practices for safety, robustness, and error-proofing.
• Establish standards for procedure maturity, validation, and readiness, including appropriate levels of dry runs, checkout, and automation.
• Coordinate cross-functional engineering inputs to ensure test readiness and maintain execution schedules during new product test campaigns.
• Identify and eliminate sources of inefficiency, variability, and risk in test campaigns.
• Apply lessons learned and prior experience to proactively prevent known failure modes and test escapes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• At least 12 years of experience in spacecraft integration and test, development, or similar hardware test environments.
• Direct experience leading multiple spacecraft or launch vehicle build and test campaigns.
• Hands-on experience with spacecraft system test procedures, automation, and execution.
• Hands-on experience with scripting/coding to automate satellite testing.
• Experience working across multiple engineering disciplines, including electrical, mechanical, and software systems.
• Strong understanding of spacecraft AIT principles, including test-as-you-fly, NASA and DoD standards, and build verification strategies.
• Proven ability to drive cross-functional efforts and deliver results in fast-paced, schedule-critical environments.
• Reputation for strong engineering judgment, ownership, and a bias for action in ambiguous or evolving environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in high-rate production environments or programs with repeated test execution.
• Extensive experience with spacecraft Ground Support Equipment (GSE) design, build, and validation.
• Experience developing and validating test automation and data processing code in Python.
• Experience in introducing test campaigns for new products, and maturing them over time.
• Experience and comfort with using tools such as DOORS or Jama for requirement and verification tracking.

Lifestyle at BlackSky

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
• Awesome swag

Compensation

The anticipated salary range for Principal level candidates in Tukwila, WA is $200,000-$230,000 per year. We may be open to more junior candidates (at the Staff level) with a salary range of $170,000-$195,000. The final compensation package offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on specific background and education.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.