Principal Systems Engineer - Space Vehicle

Tukwila, WA

About Us:

Black Sky 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. Black Sky 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.

Black Sky'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.

Systems Engineers at Black Sky are the glue that ensures that all the components, subsystems, parts, hardware, software come together to produce best-in-class spacecraft. Black Sky is seeking a proven spacecraft systems engineer to provide a key role in the definition, verification, assembly, and delivery of our industry-defining spacecraft. You will be involved throughout the engineering lifecycle, from creating and understanding mission needs through design, integration, test, and ultimately the operation of spacecraft in orbit.

Success in the role requires daily collaboration with a diverse set of team members – mechanical, electrical, software, and test engineers, operators, and program managers.

Reporting to the Director, Systems Engineering, this role works in our Tukwila, WA office with a hybrid on-site schedule of 3 days per week with significant flexibility for part-time remote work.

Responsibilities:

• Organize, lead, and/or support development of internal and customer-facing Systems Engineering deliverables
• Lead system-level trade studies, mission analysis, and architecture development to guide key program decisions
• Define and decompose system CONOPS into Space vehicle, subsystem and component requirements
• Communicate technical information (analysis results, finding, trades) to peers, the Program Chief Engineer, program management, and customers
• Create and maintain space vehicle technical budget and analysis templates
• Represent Systems Engineering within one or more subsystem-oriented Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) to ensure IPT needs are met, and sound SE practices are used within those IPTs
• Develop system, subsystem, and component verification and test plans
• Conduct independent technical assessments of key subsystems or program decisions
• Drive identification, tracking, and mitigation of system‑level risks, issues, and anomalies throughout the program lifecycle
• Support major program technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, PSR) as a system engineering authority
• Provide technical oversight of component/unit suppliers and support supply chain activities
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Electrical, Aerospace, Mechanical, or Computer Science preferred) or a related field.
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in the Spacecraft or Launch Vehicle industry
• Deep understanding of spacecraft and subsystem behaviors and dependencies
• Strong foundational knowledge across multiple engineering disciplines, including electrical, mechanical, and software engineering.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing system requirements, CONOPS, architecture, and verification & validation plans for complex space systems
• Demonstrated technical depth in at least one spacecraft subsystem or payload
• Proven ability to drive cross-functional efforts and deliver results in fast-paced,…