Staff Software Engineer, Full Stack - Remote (Herndon, VA preferred)

About BlackSky

BlackSky is a real-time intelligence company operating the world's most advanced space-based intelligence platform. We provide satellite imagery, automated analytics, and high-frequency monitoring for strategic locations globally. Trusted by leading military, intelligence, and commercial organizations, BlackSky delivers foresight into critical matters impacting national security and the economy. Our global team uses cutting-edge technology, prioritizing a people-first, customer-focused, and fun work environment.

About the Role

BlackSky is seeking a Staff Full-Stack Engineer to support the production AI/ML products, bridging GIS and machine learning workflows with dynamic web interfaces. This role requires expertise in Python/Go microservices, Cloud Infrastructure, Relational Databases, and React UI/UX. As part of the BlackSky Labs team, you will ensure the delivery of consistent, reliable, and relevant AI/ML products. You will work closely with image operations, satellite operations, and machine learning teams.

The ideal candidate has experience in geospatial software engineering, database management, user interface development, cloud infrastructure, microservices, operations, and testing. Familiarity with satellite imagery or similar datasets, agile development, AWS/Kubernetes, and on-prem/airgapped deployment environments is highly preferred. You should be an independent contributor capable of managing your own efforts across a broad scope and eager to learn new tools and technologies.

Responsibilities:

• Deploy and integrate computer vision solutions for satellite imagery analytics.
• Ensure high-quality, production-ready Python or Go services.
• Manage cloud infrastructure and code deployment to AWS, Kubernetes, or other environments.
• Develop novel React UI geospatial applications for imagery and analytic visualization.
• Develop and deploy relational database schemas for GIS data, imagery, and analytics, primarily using PostgreSQL.
• Participate in the entire project lifecycle, from requirements development to deployment.
• Lead full-stack software development, data ETL, and software feature development projects.
• Collaborate with management and the technical team on the technical roadmap and implementation strategy.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of eight years of hands-on software engineering experience, with at least three years focused on full-stack development.
• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, or another computational field, or equivalent experience (four years equivalent for a bachelor’s degree).
• Demonstrated experience designing and building scalable production software solutions and architectures, particularly for machine learning or image processing.
• Strong Python 3 or Go proficiency, with experience in production software for data ETL, REST APIs, microservices, geospatial applications, data analytics, and cloud deployment.
• Hands-on experience with AWS cloud services (e.g., EKS, S3, EC2, Aurora/RDS, SQS, SNS, Batch).
• Experience writing software to integrate with third-party APIs, perform data ETL, and manage complex data at scale in relational data stores.
• Strong React or other UI framework proficiency, with an understanding of REST and frontend service design and integration.
• Excellent ability to communicate concepts and software system results to customers, management, and the technical team, highlighting actionable insights.
• US Citizenship required due to program requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Over ten years of hands-on software engineering experience.
• Advanced degree in a relevant field.
• Experience with machine learning or computer vision.
• Experience with on-prem or airgapped deployments.
• Experience with remote sensing datasets and image preprocessing/manipulation (e.g., Sentinel, LandSat, Airbus, Planet, WorldView).
• Experience with infrastructure solutions for scaling and deploying models in the cloud (e.g., Kubernetes, ClearML, Nvidia Triton, Kubeflow, Torch Serve, Argo).

Work Arrangement: Remote (Herndon, VA office preferred)

Salary Range: $150,000 - $175,000 per year (Seattle, WA range; may vary by location)

Life at BlackSky (US Benefits Eligible Employees):

• Insurance: Medical, dental, vision, disability, group term life, AD&D, voluntary life/AD&D. BlackSky covers 100% of employee-only premiums for medical, dental, and vision, and contributes $100/month for out-of-pocket expenses.
• Time Off: 15 days PTO, 11 company holidays, 4 floating holidays, 1 day paid volunteerism leave, parental leave, and more.
• Retirement: 401(k) with employer match (pre-tax and Roth options).
• Other: Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Stock Purchase Program, Employee Assistance and Travel Assistance Programs, employer matching donations, professional development, choice of Mac or PC, company swag.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

BlackSky is committed to a diverse workforce and is 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. Compliance with U.S. Government space technology export regulations (ITAR) requires U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency.