Senior Image Processing 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 seeks a Senior Image Processing Engineer to develop unique processing algorithms to enhance the quality and utility of our satellite images. Your primary responsibility will be designing, building, and maintaining the image processing pipeline that transforms raw pixels into image products. Your work will center on developing and supporting new approaches to processing satellite images, most notably image-to-image registration, photogrammetry, feature extraction, and image-quality enhancement. We process a massive quantity of images with low latency requirements, so our processing pipeline is held to a uniquely high standard of accuracy and reliability. The image product is the bedrock of BlackSky’s product offerings, and as a result your role is fundamentally collaborative across the organization.This position reports to the Director, Image Processing. While we will consider remote candidates, the preference is candidates near the Seattle, WA office.

Responsibilities:

• Develop the algorithms and tools to process raw pixel values into imagery products.
• Maintain those algorithms and tools throughout their operational life cycle, particularly in commercial operations.
• Develop tools to monitor and maintain image quality and related metrics.
• Collaborate across the organization to improve our concepts of imaging operations, inform new sensor and satellite designs, and define new imagery products and capabilities.
• Support launch and early operations of new satellites along with regular satellite calibration, commissioning, and operations activities, sometimes requiring after-hours work.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Astronomy, Physics, Computer Science or related engineering fields
• Minimum five years developing image processing algorithms
• Minimum five years developing software in Python
• Minimum three years working with an operational imaging system
• A strong mathematical base in algorithm development, data processing, and uncertainty propagation
• A personality that enjoys working in a dynamic, multi-task environment
• Motivation to self-teach and the ability to thrive on challenging problems
• Excellent communication and organization skills

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience designing geo-registration algorithms
• Experience developing image-processing and analysis pipelines
• Experience working with CCD and CMOS sensors
• Experience working with reflective and/or refractive telescopes
• Experience in processing satellite or astronomical imagery
• Experience deploying software into a production environment
• Experience developing software in C++

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

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 Tukwila, WA is $145,000-165,000 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 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/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