Principal Systems Architect

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Virginia.

📋 Description

• Develop and take ownership of the software architecture tailored for customer satellite missions and programs within the ground segment.

• Design, architect, and oversee software requirements and design for both As-Is and Target architectures for systems and subsystems in BlackSky’s Ground Segment.

• Synthesize unified requirements and system design across various major customers and programs, product roadmap, and BlackSky’s strategic vision.

• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to translate requirements into engineering specifications aligned with the BlackSky architecture.

• Comprehend the interactions among systems, applications, and services within the architecture, assessing the implications of changes or additions, including risks, resources, and scheduling.

• Guarantee the accuracy and thoroughness of BlackSky architecture documentation.

• Facilitate development and execution across software development teams, systems engineering, and program and product teams to create execution plans for system capabilities, align development teams, and ensure effective integration of capabilities across space and ground systems and subsystems.

• Collaborate with engineering teams on system design elements, including resource requirements, interfaces, data models, enterprise integration patterns, system and subsystem capabilities, standards, and best practices.

• Support the acquisition and execution of customer programs by promoting alignment with a unified missions ground architecture.

• Act as a bridge between technical and non-technical departments, fostering cross-team collaboration and understanding of system capabilities and execution.

• Organize and monitor projects, proactively manage risks, address project escalations, prioritize tasks, and achieve specific business objectives.

• Work together with business managers and technical groups to tackle significant customer issues and devise innovative solutions to challenging problems.

• Create models and analyze data to assess tradeoffs and aid the decision-making process.

• Perform other job-related responsibilities as assigned.

⛳️ Requirements

• At least 12 years of relevant work experience, including a minimum of five (5) years in systems architecture or systems engineering.

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.

• Proven experience in architecting complex software systems.

• Ability to break down complex problems into manageable components.

• Familiarity with software engineering best practices and processes, including agile development, enterprise design patterns, and coding standards.

• Experience with Kubernetes and on-premises software system deployments.

• Skilled in designing Software APIs, system integrations, and Data Models.

• Comprehensive experience with the software engineering life cycle from product concept to operations and maintenance, and the toolchains utilized in this process (JIRA, Git, etc.).

• Knowledgeable in Systems Engineering best practices and tools, including communication, management, and documentation of system architectures, interfaces, and the validation of functional and non-functional requirements.

• Strong communication skills to effectively represent architectural and engineering concepts and decisions to a diverse range of stakeholders, including Engineering, Sales, Customers, and Product Management.

• Experience in developing Concepts of Operations and deriving engineering requirements based on complex Customer and Mission needs.

• Basic understanding of Algorithms or Modelling to create rulesets for system behavior and productization of high-level features.

• Proficient in Golang, C++, or Python.

• Must be eligible to acquire and maintain a US Security Clearance (this requires US Citizenship).

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, disability, group term life and AD&D, voluntary life and AD&D insurance.

• BlackSky covers 100% of employee-only premiums for medical, dental, and vision and contributes $100/month for out-of-pocket expenses!

• 15 days of paid time off (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) options for pre-tax and Roth deferrals with employer matching.

• Flexible Spending Accounts available.

• Employee Stock Purchase Program.

• Access to Employee Assistance and Travel Assistance Programs.

• Employer matching for charitable donations.

• Opportunities for professional development.

• Choose between a Mac or PC!

• Great company merchandise!