Job Description
Senior Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Engineer
About Us:
BlackSky 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 Senior GNC Engineer at BlackSky, you will be a key contributor to the development, production, and operation of high-performance Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) / Attitude Determination and Control (ADC) systems for satellite constellations. You will perform trade studies, simulations, and other analyses to support end-to-end ADCS design, development, and verification. You will work closely with software developers to integrate ADCS components into flight software. You will define test plans and procedures in support of satellite production and verify satellite flightworthiness. You will work closely with satellite operators to characterize and improve on-orbit ADCS performance. You will do all this while collaborating with a fast-paced, highly skilled technical team focused on producing state-of-the-art satellites. This role will be a hybrid role based out of Tukwila, WA and will report to the GNC Engineering Manager.
Responsibilities:
- Perform ADCS subsystem analyses (e.g. agility analysis, pointing budget, pointing stability analysis), iterating with a multi-disciplinary team to optimize designs.
- Perform 6DOF simulations to verify satellite design and CONOPs requirements.
- Define and validate ADCS component hardware requirements and software service requirements.
- Coordinate ADCS component software integration with software engineers.
- Develop GNC/ADCS control algorithms, autonomous behaviors, and failure detection/isolation/recovery protocols.
- Design sensor and actuator models as part of a high-fidelity satellite truth model.
- Develop test plan/procedures for ADCS-related production test and validation; review production data to assess flightworthiness.
- Support satellite launch and early operations (e.g. calibration) activities, in some cases out of business hours.
- Perform on-orbit telemetry analysis for satellite characterization and/or troubleshooting.
- Work closely with attitude control system hardware providers to provide technical oversight and review.
- Build, maintain, and improve GNC team infrastructure and processes.
- Seek out new technologies, tools, and approaches to maintain BlackSky’s position as a leader in efficient space systems engineering.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science (or greater) degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical field.
- 5+ years of professional experience in spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Control and/or Attitude Determination and Control.
- Experience with Guidance, Navigation, and Control algorithm development and analysis.
- Demonstrated ability to perform trade studies, simulations, and other analyses to support end-to-end ADCS design, development, and verification.
- Experience testing control systems for aerospace vehicles.
- Proficiency with linear and nonlinear dynamics, coordinate transformations, and rotation matrix / quaternion mathematics.
- Proficiency with Matlab and Simulink for data analysis and model development.
- For the program this role supports, candidates must be a US Citizen.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience designing satellites with extreme accuracy pointing requirements.
- Experience defining test plans/procedures and performing functional/characterization testing of ADCS components.
- Experience with orbital mechanics and orbit propagation.
- Experience developing satellite truth models in Matlab/Simulink for data analysis and model development.
- Experience collaborating with ADCS component suppliers.
- Proficiency with Python and/or C++.
- Ability to balance system-level thinking with detailed problem solving.
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
Awesome swag
The anticipated salary range for candidates in Seattle, WA is $135,000-$160,000 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
