Staff SW Engineer, Computer Vision

Staff Software Engineer, Computer Vision

About Us:

BlackSky is a geospatial intelligence solutions provider that enables organizations to task, collect, and transform data from earth observation, global sensor networks, mobile devices, and social media to deliver on-demand insights about places, events, and assets that are critical to their operations. Blacksky provides satellite collection, data, and cloud based -processing and analytic solutions to organizations that are capitalizing on the exponential growth of a wide range of sensor and collection platforms for delivering the next generation of GEOINT and location intelligence solutions. BlackSky has extensive expertise and capabilities in commercial remote sensing, multi-source analytics, cloud computing, open-source software development, Amazon Web Services, and big data geospatial analytics. BlackSky provides solutions to commercial and government organizations with relevant programs with the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA), US. Army, and U.S. Air Force Research Labs.

BlackSky is looking for a talented and creative Staff Computer Vision Software Engineer to support the development, operation, and capability evolution of Spectra AI, BlackSky’s cutting edge AI/ML Platform. As part of the machine learning team, you are instrumental in supporting the automated monitoring mission at BlackSky.  You will help ensure that Spectra AI produces consistent, reliable, and relevant analytics to BlackSky’s growing user base.

The ideal candidate has strong software development, AI model development, operations and test experience; familiarity with national security use cases; and success working in an agile development environment. Additionally, the ideal candidate has demonstrated the ability to manage their own efforts over a broad scope of work as an independent contributor. Finally, the candidate should be an independent thinker with the demonstrated ability and willingness to lean in and solve new problems.

While the locations listed in the job posting are ideal, we would love candidates near either our Herndon, VA or Seattle, WA offices. We may also consider remote candidates in certain states.

Responsibilities:

• Design and develop computer vision solutions working with AI/ML engineers that exploit machine learning, statistical learning, and deep learning for next-generation satellite imagery analytics.
• Integrate machine learning and AI models developed by the machine learning team into the Spectra AI platform and codify common patterns and best practices.
• Develop and prototype algorithms, models, and analytical tools for solving domain specific business problems.
• Assess and improve model performance through robust experimentation, model testing and iterative development.
• Build and integrate software processes and tools that improves the velocity of the machine learning engineers researching and developing algorithmic models.
• Take part in the entire project lifecycle from requirements development to deployment.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and customers on model requirements and methodologies.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of eight years of hands-on experience as a software developer or software architect with at least two years focused on computer vision.
• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in one of the following fields: computer science, data science, mathematics, physics, statistics, or another computational field.
• Experience developing deep learning-based models in Keras, TensorFlow, or PyTorch.
• Proficiency with fundamental computer vision algorithms such as object detection, classification, and segmentation.
• Current knowledge of research literature in computer vision and machine learning, and ability to implement state-of-the-art approaches.
• Ability to create and follow standard software development processes and clearly document results.
• Python 3 proficiency.
• Strong written and communication skills to communicate approaches, concepts, and analytical results with customers, management, and the technical team, highlighting actionable insights.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D./Master's degree in the previously mentioned fields.
• Hands on experience working with large imagery data sets including image normalization, image augmentation, raster/vector visualization, etc.
• Experience working with remote sensing data, ideally satellite imagery and an understanding of Geospatial software (GDAL, osgeo, etc.) and programming standards.
• Familiarity with open-source python geospatial and raster libraries such as Scikit-image, Rasterio, OpenCV, Pillow, Shapely, etc.
• Demonstrated experience successfully training computer vision models that meet or exceed benchmarks for production, published literature, or computer vision competitions
• Experience with cloud-based software development and deployments particularly using AWS or Kubernetes.

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 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 $160,000 to $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 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.

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