Staff Software Engineer, Image Operations

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.

The Imaging Department is a hybrid hardware-software group dedicated to the performance of BlackSky's imagery product and its on-orbit imaging systems. The group builds and sustains BlackSky’s image processing pipeline. As a Staff-level engineer you will be responsible for developing and maintaining the pipeline that transforms the raw pixels collected by BlackSky’s satellites into imagery products and report to the Lead Image Operations Engineer.

While the locations listed in the job posting are ideal, we would love candidates near either our Herndon, VA or Seattle, WA offices. We may also consider remote candidates in certain states.

Responsibilities:

Independently design and implement new features and updates for the components making up BlackSky’s core image processing system.
Take an active role in testing, debugging, and documented implemented software functionality.
Lead the testing and development of automated processes for monitoring service quality and regression testing of the image processing system.
Participate in and provide insightful feedback during design sessions and regular team status. meetings to help identify issues before they make it through development to production.
Analyze and provide input on designs with an eye towards creating scalable, maintainable, and performant software solutions.
Assist with operational tasks to ensure stability in production environments.
Proactively identify problems with requirements (lack of clarity, inconsistencies, technical limitations) and communicates these issues early.
Mentor engineers and scientists on best software development practices and performance.
Engage with stakeholders from across BlackSky’s architecture to solve cross-functional challenges and maximize the value of BlackSky’s image processing system.
Other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
A minimum of 10 years of professional software development experience.
Prior experience in processing geospatial or astronomical imagery using libraries such as NumPy, Pandas, OpenCV, GDAL, etc.
Experience participating in an enterprise software development environment.
Extensive expertise in Python and asyncio methodologies.
Experience with cloud and cloud-like computing environments (AWS Batch / AWS Lambda, Kubernetes / ARGO).
Expertise in agile development methodologies, git, CI/CD.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and an ability to articulate technical concepts clearly and succinctly
The program this role supports requires being a US-born citizen.

Preferred Qualifications:

Advanced degree in a relevant field.
Experience with OGC (Open Geospatial Consortium) and/or STAC (SpatioTemporal Asset Catalogs) specifications.
Big Data experience (Hadoop, spark, kafka, etc).
Proficiency with C++, C, and Cython (in addition to Python).
Experience with developing Go applications.
Experience with GPUs.

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
Mac or PC? Your choice!
Awesome swag

The anticipated salary range for candidates in Seattle, WA is $160,000-180,000 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