Skip to main content
← Back to search
B

Staff Engineer, Flight Software

BlackSky

$155,000 - $180,000 / year

Seattle, WAFull-timeRemoteExpert

Need a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview? Contact us.

JobMinglr uses automated technology to recommend jobs based on profile information and job preferences. Match Score does not determine eligibility for a position, prevent a user from viewing or applying to a job, or make hiring decisions on behalf of an employer.

Description

Staff Engineer, Flight Software 

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.

Join the Satellite Embedded Software Group (ESG) as a Staff Flight Software Engineer. This is a hands-on individual contributor role that reports to the Senior Manager of Flight Software. You’ll be responsible for software design, development and technical leadership primarily for the satellite imaging payload and ADCS subsystems. This role will also contribute to software requirements and test plan support. As you grow with the team, you’ll have opportunities to work on other flight software subsystems as well as mentorship.

As a staff member of the ESG team, you’ll make a large business impact across multiple critical programs from design to execution. You’ll collaborate across our embedded systems group and work closely with other cross-functional and program team members, including Satellite Operations and Mission Management. 

The preferred location is Tukwila, WA with the ability to work in the Tukwila office 1-2 days a week but we may be open to strong remote candidates.

Responsibilities:

  • Provide subject matter expertise for ADCS and imaging payload subsystem software design and development.
  • Drive work to timely completion using task management tools like Jira in an Agile-like environment; participate and lead in status and standup meetings, sprint planning, tasking, etc.
  • Collaborate with other ESG software team members and other cross-functional engineers from multiple disciplines to deliver mission-critical software features and bugfixes that are on-time and defect free.
  • Ensure that adequate documentation, test, inspection, and analysis is delivered and performed to verify compliance with requirements and other goals.
  • Assist with Systems Engineering with requirements development and management.
  • Execute and provide feedback for flight software design, development, unit tests and releases processes.
  • Other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering or equivalent experience
  • At least 10 years of experience delivering and maintaining commercial/embedded1
    software in a production environment.
  • Expertise in engineering clean and maintainable C/C++ and Python code.
  • Expertise in embedded systems, ideally in Embedded Linux including related build systems (Buildroot, Yocto, etc.).
  • Proven experience leading cross-functional teams to deliver products on time and on budget.
  • Outstanding root cause analysis and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to work across teams, skill sets, communication in a diverse environment.
  • Must be able to work with minimal supervision.
  • Due to program requirements, this role requires US-born citizenship. 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Advanced degree (masters or PhD) in a relevant field of study.
  • Experience in board bring-up for embedded linux platforms.
  • Familiarity with hardware interfaces (GPIO, I2C, SPI, CAN, USART, PHY, SpaceWire, Cameralink, RS-422), or high-speed interfaces (10G Ethernet, DMA, PCIe).
  • Experience with Real Time Operating Systems, including FreeRTOS.
  • Familiarity with u-boot, or other boot loaders.
  • Space Industry Experience, and familiarity with satellite components.
  • Experience working on embedded software relevant to ADCS/GNC.

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

The anticipated salary range for candidates in Seattle, WA is $155,000-180,000 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 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/ 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

Benefits

  • health insurance
  • 401(k)
  • paid time off
  • parental leave
  • professional development

About this role

BlackSky's Satellite Embedded Software Group is looking for a seasoned flight software engineer to take on core responsibility for the ADCS and imaging payload subsystems across their satellite intelligence platform. This is a hands-on staff-level role that blends individual technical contribution with cross-functional leadership—you'll design and develop mission-critical software while driving requirements, testing, and process improvements across multiple programs. The position reports to the Senior Manager of Flight Software and offers the chance to grow into broader subsystem work and mentorship as you establish yourself with the team.

The role demands at least 10 years of production embedded software experience, with strong expertise in C/C++ and Python and a solid foundation in Embedded Linux and related build systems. You'll need proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, diagnose complex problems, and communicate clearly across disciplines. Space industry background and familiarity with ADCS/GNC software, hardware interfaces, and real-time operating systems are valued but not required. US citizenship is mandatory due to program requirements.

Based in the Seattle area with flexibility to work remote, this position offers a competitive salary of $155,000–$180,000, comprehensive health coverage with employer-paid premiums, 15 days of PTO plus 11 company holidays, 401(k) matching, and professional development support. The work is directly tied to national security and commercial intelligence missions, making it a high-impact opportunity for someone ready to operate at the staff level on genuinely critical systems.

How this employer is doing

average

  • Financial News

This role's local market on JobMinglr

Pay for this role

$155,000 to $180,000 per year

That is the employer's posted range, and where you land in it is usually decided in one conversation. Before that conversation, run the numbers: analyze an offer for this role.

How JobMinglr reads this job

Every listing here is scored against your profile before you apply: skills overlap, experience level, location and work arrangement, each weighted and explained. You see the score and the reasons, not just a list. How the matching works.