Mission Planning Engineer

Mission Planning Engineer

About Us:

BlackSky is a geospatial intelligence solutions provider that enables organizations to task, collect, and transform data from earth observation, global sensor networks, mobile devices, and social media to deliver on-demand insights about places, events, and assets that are critical to their operations. Blacksky provides satellite collection, data, and cloud based -processing and analytic solutions to organizations that are capitalizing on the exponential growth of a wide range of sensor and collection platforms for delivering the next generation of GEOINT and location intelligence solutions. BlackSky has extensive expertise and capabilities in commercial remote sensing, multi-source analytics, cloud computing, open-source software development, Amazon Web Services, and big data geospatial analytics. BlackSky provides solutions to commercial and government organizations with relevant programs with the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA), US. Army, and U.S. Air Force Research Labs.

BlackSky is looking for a Mission Planning Engineer to join our Seattle-based Constellation Planning & Analysis team.  The Mission Planning Engineer will support concept of operations and algorithm development for spacecraft mission planning, as well as day-to-day upkeep of the BlackSky constellation, working closely with aerospace, software, and product engineering groups to develop and maintain autonomous constellation operations.  In this role, you will work alongside a team of other Mission Planning Engineers striving to optimize the performance of the BlackSky constellation through spacecraft modeling, simulation, automation, and algorithm development and report to the Lead Engineer, Mission Planning. We have offices in Herndon, VA and Seattle, WA but are open to remote candidates in certain states.

Responsibilities:

• Model, implement, and test concepts of operation for autonomous planning of various constellation activities
• Support day-to-day maintenance of autonomous constellation operations and image order fulfillment
• Develop satellite constellation simulation models to support customer demonstrations and contract fulfillment
• Contribute to mission planning development for new BlackSky imagery products, including working with software and product engineers to translate product concepts to engineering requirements
• Participate in operations support, performance analysis, and other constellation planning and analysis efforts alongside BlackSky’s various engineering groups

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or similar.
• Minimum of two (2) years experience in a related field.
• Familiarity with orbital mechanics, attitude dynamics, and satellite systems.
• Proficient in one or more programming languages (Python preferred).
• 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.
• Must be a US-born citizen.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience with automation of complex systems (satellites or otherwise).
• Experience writing technical requirements and driving to implementation.
• Advanced proficiency in Python.

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 Assistance and Travel Assistance Programs
• Employer matching donations
• Professional development
• Mac or PC? Your choice!
• Awesome swag

The anticipated salary range for candidates in Seattle, WA is $105,000 to $125,000 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 Em