Flight Dynamics Engineer

Flight Dynamics 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.

BlackSky is seeking a Flight Dynamics Engineer to support our Seattle-based Constellation Execution team. We are looking for exceptional engineers who enjoy working in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment. The successful candidate will have a strong set of technical skills, experience in related projects, and an eagerness to solve challenging problems, helping to ensure successful operation of our constellation. 

As a member of the interdisciplinary team, you will be responsible for contributing to a variety of different constellation planning, maintenance, and analysis projects. These projects will generally be related to supporting sustainment of our current satellites, ensuring orbital safety through monitoring and analysis, developing software for operational automation, and providing analysis inputs to aid in operations planning. 

The candidate must be a proven self-starter, highly organized, and have an ability to balance competing priorities in resource constrained environments. While we would prefer a candidate local to one of our offices (Herndon, VA or Seattle, WA) we will be open to strong remote candidates in certain states.

Responsibilities 

• Coordinate with satellite operations team to conduct orbit sustainment planning and execution activities, including the use and improvement of existing software tools. 
• Design, develop, and maintain BlackSky’s in-house flight dynamics tool. 
• Support collision avoidance monitoring, decision making, and maneuver execution. 
• Conduct data analysis from complex space and ground systems, apply knowledge of statistics, software scripting, modeling and simulation, and advanced mathematics to recognize patterns, identify opportunities, and propose solutions. 
• Collaborate with ground systems software developers to automate manual tasks and design new features. 
• Collaborate with technical groups to address important customer issues and find innovative solutions to difficult problems. 
• Occasional off-hours support for launch support and collision avoidance coordination. 

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, or related discipline. 
• At least 5 years of relevant experience. 
• Strong knowledge of astrodynamics, spacecraft navigation, orbit determination, trajectory/maneuver planning, and collision avoidance. 
• Strong programming skills in Python with at least 2 years of professional/practical application 
• Demonstrated experience with orbit analysis tools such as Orekit, STK, ODTK, GMAT, FreeFlyer. 
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple efforts. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Advanced degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, or related discipline. 
• Demonstrated experience working on operational satellites. 
• Demonstrated experience with maneuver planning and collision avoidance execution. 
• Strong knowledge of satellite ground system architectures and design of satellite ground systems. 

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 $100,000-$115,000 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 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/AAP/ 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