Senior Structural Analysis 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.

As a Senior Structural Analysis Engineer at BlackSky, you will support the development, verification, and test of our satellite systems and supporting hardware. You will build finite element models of space hardware including electromechanical devices, deployed and stowed appendages, fully integrated satellites, and ground support equipment. You will use these models to evaluate environments and structural performance to determine flightworthiness of the full satellite design down through component levels of assembly. You will be active in the test process, including generation of test procedures, conducting pre-test analysis, determining instrumentation locations, conducting testing, reducing test data, and performing post-test model correlation.  You will work closely with satellite operators and launch service providers to ensure design compatibility with launch loads and generate and submit verification artifacts.  You will do all this while collaborating within a fast-paced, highly skilled technical team focused on producing state-of-the-art satellites. 

This position reports to the Director, Mechanical Engineering and is a hybrid role based out of our Tukwila, WA office. 

Responsibilities:

• Perform moderate-scale structural analysis efforts with a large degree of cross-functional coordination.
• Develop and maintain component, subassembly, and satellite level finite element models (FEMs).
• Perform and document finite element analysis results for modal, stress, and vibration analysis.
• Document design, analysis, and test results in technical reports and presentations.
• Iterate within a multi-disciplinary team to optimize designs.
• Create and execute structural test plans and procedures for vibration, shock, and static loads.
• Develop and maintain structural analysis software tools.
• Seek out new technologies, tools, and approaches to maintain BlackSky’s position as a leader in efficient space system engineering.
• Creatively address unique and varying launch load conditions for many combinations of launch environments and payload assemblies.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:  

• Bachelor of Science (or greater) degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a similar engineering discipline.
• At least six (6) years of professional experience performing structural analysis on spacecraft or launch vehicle structures and components.
• Ability to set up and perform structural analysis on satellite components, satellite systems, launch vehicle adapters, and other complex integrated assemblies.
• Demonstrated successful experience performing static, modal, and vibration analyses to generate predictions for forces, stresses, deflections, and vibration responses.
• Proficiency with NASTRAN analysis software.
• Proficiency with Femap/Patran pre-/post- processors.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a vibration test lab including instrumentation definition and installation, test article installation, GSE design, test control software operation, etc.
• Experience developing analysis and test results processing tools using Excel, MATLAB, and/or Python.

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 Washington state is $130,000-150,000 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. #LI-hybrid

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