Senior Software Engineer, Design in Test (SDET)

Senior Software Test 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.

The Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) is responsible for designing and implementing automated test frameworks, tools, and simulated environments that ensure the reliability and quality of our enterprise software systems. This role is development‑focused and centers on building test harnesses, emulating third‑party systems and network conditions, and creating robust automation infrastructure that enables comprehensive in‑house validation. The SDET develops reusable test code, service/API simulators, and scalable Python‑based frameworks that integrate into CI/CD pipelines to deliver consistent and repeatable coverage across complex application workflows. In addition to building automation systems, they analyze system behavior, investigate failures, collaborate closely with developers, and validate fixes to drive overall product stability and release confidence. 

Because this role frequently works with physical lab environments, shared test equipment, and cross‑team collaboration, the engineer will be expected to work onsite in both our Seattle and Tukwila offices in a hybrid capacity. Typical expectations are approximately two days per week in the office, with flexibility to adjust based on project needs, lab access requirements, or collaborative testing efforts. This position reports to the Senior Manager, Test and is responsible for all software test activities within the company, providing high visibility and significant influence on test strategy, automation direction, and product quality. 

Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and maintain automated test frameworks and tools using Python, enabling scalable and reliable testing across services, APIs, and UI workflows.
• Build Python or Go based simulators, mocks, and emulators to replicate third‑party environments, network behavior, and integration scenarios for in‑house testing.
• Develop, maintain, and execute automated API test suites using Python Requests, custom harnesses, and Postman/Newman when appropriate.
• Build and maintain automated UI test suites using Python Playwright, with a focus on reusable components, selectors, and page‑object patterns. 
• Monitor nightly automated test runs, analyze failures, and provide actionable insights through integrations with Jira/X‑Ray, Slack, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Troubleshoot and diagnose issues across APIs, backend services, and UI workflows, collaborating with developers to isolate root causes and verify fixes.
• Perform targeted manual testing for new feature development, complex regression scenarios, and defect reproduction where automation is not yet feasible.
• Validate functional behavior, edge cases, and system workflows across distributed application components.
• Document test frameworks, automation patterns, test cases, expected outcomes, and reproduction steps for defects.
• Support and improve internal Python‑based test applications, tools, and services used in daily verification workflows.
• Ensure adequate test coverage for new features, releases, and high‑risk areas. 
• Contribute to continuous improvement of automation tooling, coding standards, and test strategy. 
• Assist in ensuring readiness of builds for deployment and release. 
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of years of six (6) years of experience as a Software Test Engineer, Automation Engineer, or SDET, with significant hands‑on software development responsibilities.
• Bachelor's degree in relevant field of study (or equivalent additional experience of four years).
• Strong proficiency in Python, including writing reusable modules, building automation frameworks, and creating test harnesses or tools.
• Experience developing automated API tests using Python Requests or equivalent frameworks; experience with Postman/Newman preferred.
• Experience designing and maintaining automated UI tests (Python Playwright preferred), with emphasis on code structure and maintainability.
• Experience building Python‑based utilities, simulators, mocks, or environment emulators to support complex test scenarios.
• Familiarity with reporting test results and integrating automation with Jira/XRay, Slack, or similar tools.
• Strong ability to analyze automated test results, identify root causes across services and layers, and validate fixes in collaboration with developers.
• Working knowledge of CI-based automated test pipelines, nightly execution workflows, and test orchestration.
• Understanding of distributed systems, API-driven architectures, and service interactions.
• Strong troubleshooting and debugging skills across application layers (API, backend services, UI). 
• Ability to document test plans, automation approaches, and defect reports with clarity and precision. 
• Due to program requirements, this position requires US-born citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with RabbitMQ and Kafka in event-driven or message-based architectures.
• Experience coding in Go.
• Experience with secure, onprem, or airgapped deployment environments. 
• Experience with performance and load testing. 
• Defense, aerospace, or government program background. 
• Geospatial or remote sensing system experience.
• Experience writing integration documentation, runbooks, or system validation procedures.
• Master's degree in a relevant field of study.

Life at BlackSky for full-time US 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 Seattle, WA is $135,000-$155,000 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