--- title: 'Staff HDL Hardware Engineer at BlackSky' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/staff-hdl-hardware-engineer-blacksky-tukwila-0fbka01kvsgp' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-10-20' --- # Staff HDL Hardware Engineer at BlackSky - **Company:** BlackSky - **Location:** Tukwila, WA - **Work type:** onsite - **Posted:** 2026-10-16 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-20 - **Apply:** https://boards.greenhouse.io/blacksky/jobs/8872088002?gh_jid=8872088002 ## Job description Staff HDL 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. In this position you will act as a hardware designer, systems engineer, HDL programmer, and test engineer. This should seem exciting, not scary, and you must welcome the challenges that come along with the responsibility of full product ownership. You will own product design, performance, verification, and implementation from initial concept definition through final operation by the end user. To be successful in this position, you will need to be passionate about delivering exceptional products that meet or exceed requirements and enable new capabilities for satellite performance. This passion will fuel your self-motivation to push tasks to ultimate completion. You will also need to enjoy working in a collaborative environment and work daily with engineers from multiple disciplines – systems, software, mechanical, etc. You must be eager to receive and give peer feedback that enables our high performing team to be greater than the sum of its parts. This position reports to the Director, Electrical Engineering and is a hybrid role based out of our Tukwila, WA office. Responsibilities: - Serve as digital hardware design engineer for spacecraft avionics, with involvement in all phases at different levels of assembly including requirements development, design, prototyping, bring-up, testing, debug, design iteration, and eventual transition to a production environment - Synthesize design requirements from unit level and system level specifications - Write HDL for variety of FPGAs and verify it using simulation and test - Create test benches for your designs - Troubleshoot performance during hardware testing/bring-up - Create interface and design description documentation to support the Flight Software (FSW) verification and validation process - Interface with external suppliers to develop specifications, exchange data and deliverables, troubleshoot issues, and develop integration and test approaches. - Participate in Research & Development initiatives and provide support for the establishment of new avionics products. Required Qualifications: - Bachelor of Science in Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field involving training in digital electronics design - 10+ years of experience in digital design including HDL programming (VHDL preferred), test bench development, and prototype testing - Experience with embedded processors in a SoC FPGA and the programmable logic-processor interfaces associated with those - Demonstrated ability to write test benches utilizing ModelSim, Vivado Simulator, or similar - Hands on lab experience using multi-meters, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, programmable power supplies, etc. - Experience with implementing, prototyping, and bringing up high speed interfaces - Excellent interpersonal skills and belief in a strong collaborative approach within a multi-disciplinary team - Must be a U.S. Person Preferred Qualifications: - Delivery of multiple products including full ownership from initial concept and architecture definition all the way through production and final implementation - Experience in such as precision voltage references, oscillators, supervisory circuits, and ADCs - Experience in component selection for devices such as FPGAs, ADCs, DDR, NVRAM, and high speed transceivers (LVDS, Ethernet PHYs, etc) - Experience in 10Gb Ethernet or PCIe - Experience designing electronics for use in a space environment - Experience with Microchip and AMD/Xilinx FPGA development - Experience designing automated test equipment using Python - Proficiency with C, C++, Perl, 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 - Awesome swag The anticipated salary range for candidates in the Great Seattle Area, WA is 160,000 -180,000 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 the Great Seattle Area. 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. 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 ## About BlackSky ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: BlackSky is a real-time, space-based intelligence company that delivers on-demand, high-frequency satellite imagery, analytics, and monitoring of critical global locations, assets, and events. - **Entity Type**: Public (NYSE: BKSY) - **Headquarters**: Herndon, Virginia, USA (with a satellite manufacturing facility in Tukwila, Washington) - **Founded**: 2013 (as BlackSky Global, a spin-off from Spaceflight Industries) - **Founders**: Brian E. Bjelde, Nick Merski, and Jordan Tate ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Earth Observation / Space-based Intelligence / Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) - **Target customers**: B2B, primarily serving government defense and intelligence agencies (US and international), along with commercial enterprises in sectors like maritime, energy, and infrastructure. - **Mission or purpose statement**: To dramatically accelerate Earth observation from space for real-time monitoring. BlackSky enables customers to see, understand, and anticipate change for a decisive strategic advantage. ## Products & Services - **BlackSky Spectra®**: The company’s core software platform. It is a purpose-built, space-based intelligence platform for dynamic monitoring. It integrates tasking, collection, and AI-driven analytics to deliver actionable insights (e.g., object detection, change monitoring) in under 90 minutes on average. *Type*: SaaS / Analytics Platform. - **Satellite Constellation (Gen-2 & Gen-3)**: BlackSky owns and operates a proprietary fleet of high-resolution satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). The Gen-3 constellation, launched in 2025, is designed to be the world’s largest very high-resolution constellation by end of 2026. This provides high-revisit, low-latency tasking and data collection. *Type*: Hardware (Spacecraft) / Data Service. - **BlackSky Assured**: A subscription-based service offering dedicated, prioritized access to satellite tasking and data for persistent monitoring of specific areas of interest. *Type*: Service / Subscription. - **BlackSky On-Demand**: A flexible, worldwide tasking service for ad-hoc intelligence needs. *Type*: Service. - **Third-party Data Integration**: Through Spectra, users can access and analyze data from third-party satellite partners, creating a “virtual constellation.” *Type*: Platform Feature. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Market cap is approximately $350–$400 million (as of mid-2026, subject to market fluctuations). *Source*: Public market data. - **Key Metric**: As a public company, annual revenue is reported. For 2025, BlackSky reported revenue of approximately $107 million (a year-over-year increase of 35%). *Source*: BlackSky 2025 Annual Report (SEC 10-K). - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Key institutional investors include entities like Neuberger Berman and AWM Investment Company. Strategic partners include government clients (e.g., U.S. National Reconnaissance Office, U.S. Space Force, international defense ministries) and commercial platform partners. - **Growth Signals**: - **Gen-3 Constellation Deployment**: Rapidly scaling its next-generation satellite fleet, with four Gen-3 satellites already operational. - **International Expansion**: Signed a new eight-figure international contract in March 2026 for “accelerated delivery of Gen-3 sovereign space-based intelligence solution.” - **Revenue Growth**: 35% revenue growth in 2025, demonstrating strong market demand. - **New Contract Wins**: Multiple seven-figure contracts announced in early 2026 for “Assured” services with international defense customers. ## Competitive Advantages - **Vertically Integrated Model**: BlackSky designs, manufactures, and operates its own satellites (in Tukwila, WA) and owns its software platform (Spectra). This end-to-end control allows for rapid iteration, cost optimization, and a tightly integrated hardware-software system. - **Speed & Low Latency**: The company is built on a culture of speed. Its platform delivers imagery and analytics in under 90 minutes on average, a key differentiator for time-sensitive defense and intelligence missions. - **AI-Powered Analytics**: BlackSky Spectra incorporates automated detection and classification models for vessels, aircraft, and vehicles, turning raw imagery into actionable intelligence at scale, freeing human analysts for higher-level tasks. - **First-of-its-Kind Platform**: BlackSky is recognized as the only purpose-built, real-time space-based intelligence platform that seamlessly combines tasking, collection, and analytics. ## Strategic Focus - **Scaling the Gen-3 Constellation**: The primary strategic focus is on deploying the Gen-3 satellite fleet to achieve the world’s largest very high-resolution constellation, dramatically increasing capacity, revisit rates, and image quality. - **Deepening Government & Defense Relationships**: Targeting larger, multi-year contracts with both U.S. and allied international defense and intelligence agencies, particularly for the “Assured” subscription model which provides predictable recurring revenue. - **Expanding Commercial Vertical Markets**: Growing adoption in commercial sectors (e.g., supply chain monitoring, infrastructure security, insurance) by demonstrating the value of time-sensitive, AI-driven intelligence. - **AI & Automation Leadership**: Continuing to invest heavily in AI and machine learning capabilities within Spectra to automate more of the intelligence workflow and maintain a technological edge. ## Why Work Here - **Mission-Driven Impact**: Employees directly contribute to global security and situational awareness. The company states its work provides “global impact” by supporting real-world operations for national security and disaster response. - **Rapid Growth & Professional Development**: As a fast-growing, public company scaling its satellite constellation, BlackSky offers significant opportunities for advancement and responsibility, particularly in engineering, operations, and data science. - **Culture of Speed & Innovation**: The company emphasizes a lean, innovative culture where employees work alongside “bright and passionate people” on cutting-edge space technology challenges. The culture is described as one of tremendous professional growth. - **Work-Life Balance**: Employee testimonials on the careers page specifically highlight “healthy work-life balance” as a key reason they enjoy working at BlackSky. - **Workplace Policy**: The company is headquartered in Herndon, VA, with its satellite manufacturing facility in Tukwila, WA. Many roles (especially engineering) appear to be hybrid or on-site given the nature of the hardware and operations work. The careers page lists roles like Staff Engineer, Constellation Systems; Manager, People & Culture; and UX Designer, suggesting a mix of technical and corporate functions. *Source*: [BlackSky Careers Page](https://blacksky.com/company/careers/). ## Sources 1. [BlackSky Official Website](https://blacksky.com/) 2. [BlackSky Company Page](https://blacksky.com/company/) 3. [BlackSky Technology Page](https://blacksky.com/technology/) 4. [BlackSky Investor Relations](https://ir.blacksky.com/overview/default.aspx) 5. [BlackSky Careers Page](https://blacksky.com/company/careers/) ## Other roles at BlackSky - [Senior Engineer - Embedded/Flight Software](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-engineer-embedded-flight-software-blacksky-seattle-8y254hxzffj9) — Seattle, WA - [Senior Software Engineer, Infrastructure](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-software-engineer-infrastructure-blacksky-tukwila-4p6dw5aqajd9) — Tukwila, WA - [Senior Software Engineer, Design in Test (SDET)](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-software-engineer-design-in-test-sdet-blacksky-tukwila-3zgqa93v0p97) — Tukwila, WA - [Staff Engineer, Flight Software/Embedded Software](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-engineer-flight-software-embedded-software-blacksky-seattle-ccs1x8y8h4aa) — Seattle, WA - [Cost Controller, Spacecraft](https://feeny.ai/job/cost-controller-spacecraft-blacksky-tukwila-bkeafy79q2m2) — Tukwila, WA - [Senior Structural Analysis Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-structural-analysis-engineer-blacksky-tukwila-z3j6q3sm9wqa) — Tukwila, WA - [Assembly, Integration & Test (AI&T) Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/assembly-integration-test-ai-t-technician-blacksky-tukwila-daezhj51mcbe) — Tukwila, WA - [Senior Electrical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-electrical-engineer-blacksky-tukwila-1f460cvnx8th) — Tukwila, WA - [Senior Engineer, Mission Planning](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-engineer-mission-planning-blacksky-seattle-3dq97bcz95av) — Seattle, WA / Herndon, VA / United States - [Staff Mission Solutions Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-mission-solutions-engineer-blacksky-united-states-seattle-wa-herndon-va-k5zm4683n413) — United States / Seattle, WA / Herndon, VA