Electro-Optical Payload Engineer
The successful candidate is expected to have a strong knowledge of imaging sensors and optical systems (visible and infrared) paired with hands-on experience with optical design, opto-mechanical design, payload build, and payload test. Experience overseeing procurement of optical systems from external suppliers is desired, as is experience with air/space payload systems engineering and familiarity with satellite subsystems and operations. The EOPE is a fundamentally collaborative role and will work with Integrated Product Teams across the organization, as well as with external suppliers, requiring excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Responsibilities
- Develop specifications for future space-based imaging systems
- Perform key opto-mechanical design and/or key optical design activities
- Provide technical oversight to external imaging payload design activities
- Provide technical oversight to procurement of imaging payloads
- Support the ground qualification and test of future imaging systems
- Support the commissioning of each new imaging system after launch
- Resolve any on-orbit failures or anomalies that arise during the life of the imaging system
- Support the development of the processes and tools to autonomously characterize, monitor, and improve the performance of on-orbit imaging systems
- Contribute extensive experience in payload design and performance to improve the portfolio of BlackSky imagery products
Qualifications
- 7+ years experience designing, building and testing advanced Electro-Optical payloads
- Broad knowledge of detector phenomenology and imaging sensor technologies
- Comprehensive Electro-Optical systems analysis capabilities: SNR, MTF, NIIRS, etc.
- Expert level optical and opto-mechanical engineering skills and understanding
- Expert level payload systems engineering skills and understanding
- Understanding of satellite/payload interfaces and CONOPS constraints
- Personality that enjoys working in a dynamic, multi-task environment
- Excellent presentation and communication skills
- Excellent organization and time management skills
- A passion for technology and rapid execution of sophisticated space missions
- Must be a U.S. Citizen. This requirement cannot be waived.
Desired Skills
- Experience in the opto-mechanical design of space-based imaging systems
- Experience specifying, designing, building, and testing space-based imaging systems
- Experienced leading integration and test of small-satellite optical payloads
- Experience working with CCD and CMOS sensors
- Experience with on-orbit calibration of space-based imaging systems
- Experience coding in Python
- Experience developing tools for data trending and analysis
- Familiarity with satellite subsystems and operational/environmental constraints
Electro-Optical Payload Engineer in herndon at Unknown Company
This position is listed as full time and onsite.