Principal Engineer, Spacecraft Test Development

Posted: 2026-05-26

Principal Engineer, Spacecraft Test Development

- Own the transition of test campaigns from engineering development to production-ready execution.

- Architect subsystem and spacecraft-level qualification and acceptance test campaigns across all subsystems.

- Plan, manage, and task cross-functional team members supporting test development.

- Translate system verification requirements into efficient, executable, and scalable test plans.

- Lead cross-functional effort to develop comprehensive test plans, procedures, scripts, and automation frameworks to enable repeatable, low-variance execution.

- Partner with engineering, program management, and production to ensure comprehensive and efficient end-to-end validation of satellite test from plan through design and execution.

- Define requirements for and oversee the design and build of test Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and other test infrastructure.

- Ensure test approaches incorporate best practices for safety, robustness, and error-proofing.

- Establish standards for procedure maturity, validation, and readiness, including appropriate levels of dry runs, checkout, and automation.

- Coordinate cross-functional engineering inputs to ensure test readiness and maintain execution schedules during new product test campaigns.

- Identify and eliminate sources of inefficiency, variability, and risk in test campaigns.

- Apply lessons learned and prior experience to proactively prevent known failure modes and test escapes.

- Other job-related responsibilities as assigned.

- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.

- At least 12 years of experience in spacecraft integration and test, development, or similar hardware test environments.

- Direct experience leading multiple spacecraft or launch vehicle build and test campaigns.

- Hands-on experience with spacecraft system test procedures, automation, and execution.

- Hands on experience with scripting / coding to automate satellite testing.

- Experience working across multiple engineering disciplines, including electrical, mechanical, and software systems.

- Strong understanding of spacecraft AIT principles, including test-as-you-fly, NASA and DoD standards, and build verification strategies.

- Proven ability to drive cross-functional efforts and deliver results in fast-paced, schedule-critical environments.

- Reputation for strong engineering judgment, ownership, and a bias for action in ambiguous or evolving environments.

- Background in high-rate production environments or programs with repeated test execution.

- Extensive experience with spacecraft Ground Support Equipment (GSE) design, build, and validation.

- Experience developing and validating test automation and data processing code in Python.

- Experience in introducing test campaigns for new products, and maturing them over time.

- Experience and comfort with using tools such as DOORS or Jama for requirement and verification tracking.

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