Principal Space Systems Research and Development Engineer

Principal Space Systems Research and Development Engineer 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 principal engineer in the Space Systems R&D group, you will lead the technical development of a portfolio of innovative satellite-related technologies to deliver validated, high-impact prototypes that are ready for integration into BlackSky’s operational capabilities. This portfolio will be a mixture of ideas, some of which BlackSky asks you to lead and some of which you yourself originate. Your portfolio will also have a mixture of time horizons. Some ideas will be small, low-risk, and concrete with an expectation of improving BlackSky’s offerings within ~12-18 months. Other ideas will be big, risky, and aspirational, offering the opportunity to massively improve BlackSky’s offerings on a ~3-4 years horizon. You are the champion for your portfolio and will be asked to bring it to life in partnership with other engineering and customer-facing roles. This position reports to the VP, Imaging and due to classified support requires a candidate being near our Herndon, VA office or another location if the candidate has access to a local SCIF. Responsibilities: Identify satellite technologies of strategic interest to the business; vet these ideas with senior leaders at BlackSky and down select to a focused set of pursuits (aka your portfolio). Work with Sales/BD and Customer Program Managers to source R&D funds for your portfolio; this will include writing whitepapers, making pitch slides, and meeting with prospective customers, oftentimes at their facilities. Once an idea has funding, you will drive the technical execution on the funded program. While you are executing on the program, you will also continue to assess the idea’s impact and feasibility. You may continue to evangelize an idea or you may realize a showstopping issue, such is the life of R&D! You aren’t beholden to a particular idea; you are beholden to positive impact and mission utility. Once you have a validated prototype that is ready for integration into BlackSky’s operational architecture, you will work with Engineering to ensure a timely and effective transition from Advanced…