{"id":176435,"url":"https://alion.io/job/blacksky-principal-engineer-spacecraft-test-development","title":"Principal Engineer, Spacecraft Test Development","company":{"id":63425,"name":"BlackSky","domain":"blacksky.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/blacksky","size_band":"51-200","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":87,"open_postings":3,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.333,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":92,"computed_at":"2026-10-16T05:45:00Z"}},"role":"Hardware","role_family":"Hardware","seniority":"lead","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"hybrid","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Tukwila, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":200000,"max":230000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":230000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":12,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[{"name":"Python","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-05-26T15:45:17Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-08-26","last_verified_at":"2026-10-16T23:39:31Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":143,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":0,"flags":[],"days_open":142},"description":"Principal Engineer, Spacecraft Test Development\nAbout Us:\nBlackSky 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.\nThe Satellite Test Development Engineer responsible for transitioning satellite tests from engineer-driven ‘new product’ tests to routine, highly automated, efficient test processes that ensure every satellite off the production line is repeatably and robustly tested before shipping and launch. This role leads the development of end-to-end satellite qualification and acceptance test plans, then develops production test strategies, plans, procedures, automation, and supporting Ground Support Equipment (GSE) in preparation for handoff to a Production AI&T team to execute. The position works cross-functionally with Systems Engineering, Production AI&T, and all spacecraft subsystem teams (EPS, ADCS, Communications, C&DH, Flight Software, etc.) to meld verification requirements with real-world system performance variability and constraints into robust, executable test campaigns that minimize test-to-test variability and risk for human error.\nThis role is critical to enabling reliable and repeatable high-rate satellite production. The ideal candidate brings deep, hands-on experience from multiple spacecraft build and test campaigns and applies strong engineering judgment to develop test systems that minimize risk while maintaining efficiency. They are responsible for transforming early, engineering-driven test approaches into mature, production-ready systems that reduce operator variability, limit reliance on subject matter experts, and ensure consistent, high-confidence outcomes across every vehicle. This position is on-site in our Tukwila, WA office and reports to the VP, Spacecraft Engineering. \nResponsibilities:\nOwn the transition of test campaigns from engineering development to production-ready execution.\nArchitect subsystem and spacecraft-level qualification and acceptance test campaigns across all subsystems.\nPlan, manage, and task cross-functional team members supporting test development.\nTranslate system verification requirements into efficient, executable, and scalable test plans.\nLead cross-functional effort to develop comprehensive test plans, procedures, scripts, and automation frameworks to enable repeatable, low-variance execution.\nPartner with engineering, program management, and production to ensure comprehensive and efficient end-to-end validation of satellite test from plan through design and execution.\nDefine requirements for and oversee the design and build of test Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and other test infrastructure.\nEnsure test approaches incorporate best practices for safety, robustness, and error-proofing.\nEstablish standards for procedure maturity, validation, and readiness, including appropriate levels of dry runs, checkout, and automation.\nCoordinate cross-functional engineering inputs to ensure test readiness and maintain execution schedules during new product test campaigns.\nIdentify and eliminate sources of inefficiency, variability, and risk in test campaigns.\nApply lessons learned and prior experience to proactively prevent known failure modes and test escapes.\nOther job-related responsibilities as assigned.\nRequired Qualifications: \nBachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.\nAt least 12 years of experience in spacecraft integration and test, development, or similar hardware test environments.\nDirect experience leading multiple spacecraft or launch vehicle build and test campaigns.\nHands-on experience with spacecraft system test procedures, automation, and execution.\nHands on experience with scripting / coding to automate satellite testing.\nExperience working across multiple engineering disciplines, including electrical, mechanical, and software systems.\nStrong understanding of spacecraft AIT principles, including test-as-you-fly, NASA and DoD standards, and build verification strategies.\nProven ability to drive cross-functional efforts and deliver results in fast-paced, schedule-critical environments.\nReputation for strong engineering judgment, ownership, and a bias for action in ambiguous or evolving environments.\nPreferred Qualifications:\nBackground in high-rate production environments or programs with repeated test execution.\nExtensive experience with spacecraft Ground Support Equipment (GSE) design, build, and validation.\nExperience developing and validating test automation and data processing code in Python.\nExperience in introducing test campaigns for new products, and maturing them over time.\nExperience and comfort with using tools such as DOORS or Jama for requirement and verification tracking.\nLife at BlackSky for full-time benefits-eligible employees includes:\nMedical, dental, vision, disability, group term life and AD&D, voluntary life and AD&D insurance\nBlackSky pays 100% of employee-only premiums for medical, dental and vision and contributes $100/month for out-of-pocket expenses!\n15 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\n401(k) pre-tax and Roth deferral options with employer match\nFlexible Spending Accounts\nEmployee Stock Purchase Program\nEmployee Assistance and Travel Assistance Programs\nEmployer matching donations\nProfessional development\nAwesome swag\nThe 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. BlackSky is a multi-state employer, and this pay scale may not reflect salary ranges in other states or locations outside of Tukwila, WA.\nBlackSky 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.\nTo 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. #LI-Hybrid\nEEO/AAP/ Pay Transparency Statements:\nhttps://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf\nhttps://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/OFCCP_EEO_Supplement_Final_JRF_QA_508c.pdf","description_format":"text","description_chars":7558,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":12,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Parental leave","Professional development"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Space & Aerospace","Earth Observation"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-08-30T15:27:16Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":24,"band":"cold","label":"Long shot","p_open":1,"p_active":0.666,"p_room":0.36,"age_days":142,"expected_fill_days":92,"reasons":["conf:3","velocity","win:tail","crowd:"],"computed_at":"2026-10-16T05:45:00Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":230000,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/blacksky-principal-engineer-spacecraft-test-development","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/blacksky-principal-engineer-spacecraft-test-development.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-17T03:34:57Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":4715,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-18T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":63425},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=63425"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fblacksky-principal-engineer-spacecraft-test-development"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fblacksky-principal-engineer-spacecraft-test-development"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fblacksky-principal-engineer-spacecraft-test-development"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/blacksky-principal-engineer-spacecraft-test-development\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fblacksky-principal-engineer-spacecraft-test-development"}]}