# Principal Space Systems Research and Development Engineer at BlackSky

- Company: BlackSky
- What the company does: BlackSky is the driving force behind looking at our planet in real-time, providing an easy, affordable way to order and access high-quality satellite imaging to vastly improve understanding about our world. Backed by Space Capital.
- Company website: https://blacksky.com
- Type: Startups
- Level: Principal and up
- Location: Herndon, VA
- Work setup: On-site
- Pay: $180K to $215K base salary per year (USD)
- Posted: 2026-08-25
- Apply by: 2026-10-14
- Apply: https://boards.greenhouse.io/blacksky/jobs/8628356002?gh_jid=8628356002
- Page: https://www.1752.vc/careers/jobs/blacksky-principal-space-systems-research-and-development-engineer/

## About the role

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.

## What they're looking for

- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a comparable field
- Extensive experience as a systems engineer developing space systems (at least 12 years)
- Direct work experience on multiple (5+) distinct flight programs to develop space hardware
- Direct work experience as a tech lead on multiple (5+) space hardware development efforts
- Experience working across multiple engineering disciplines, including electrical, mechanical, and software systems
- Multiple (5+) distinct experiences successfully capturing government contracts and working with US government customers to develop space systems

Tags: Technology/Imaging 40-065