Senior Solutions Engineer (cleared)

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 Solutions Engineer acts as the sales team's primary technical point of contact during the pre-sales process in their assigned territory but must also be available to help where needed as we scale as an organization. They represent the technical aspects of the product/service offerings and propose how these aspects can benefit the customer and ultimately solve their problems. Solutions Engineers must have a strong technical understanding of the complexities of what the company offers, together with excellent sales, presentation, demonstration, program management, and communications skills. The Solutions Engineer will support proposal and solution development as it relates to custom solutions designed for our key customers. Solutions Engineers work directly with the company's most important customers and all of the internal functions within the company. This role reports to the Vice President, USG Business Development and is located at/near our Herndon, VA headquarters.

Responsibilities:

  • Act as the primary technical resource for various capture and business development activities.
  • Proactively scope the technical solution required to address customer requirements and propose a mutually beneficial solution for both the customer and the company.
  • Design and develop solutions architecture with current BlackSky capabilities for clients.
  • Provide thought leadership and technical support to assist business areas and programs in retaining and growing both new and current work.
  • Provide business area and sector and leadership feedback by measuring the success of delivery and organic growth initiatives.
  • Build and maintain relationships across all BlackSky functional organizations to ensure alignment with program capture, program execution, and other lines of business services.
  • Perform solution designing and estimating the cost of technical solutions that satisfy the requirements of new business opportunities.
  • Clearly and concisely respond to RFIs, RFPs, and proposals, in alignment with current BlackSky capabilities.
  • Coordinate "reach back" with technical subject matter experts within BlackSky to obtain specific knowledge or expertise to address technical issues.
  • Respond to technical questions and research requests from customers and programs.
  • Perform business case analysis to support the decision-making process.
  • Lead winning solution development for growth opportunities.
  • Understand the impact of internal decisions on customer & vendor relationships and plan accordingly.
  • Build and maintain relationships with key vendor partners to incorporate technology and capability Sector growth pipelines.
  • Other responsibilities as needed.

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, technology, or equivalent experience.
  • At least five years of experience working as either an Enterprise Solutions Engineer,  Data Engineer, Data Scientist, AI/ML Engineer, or other relevant geospatial intelligence, customer facing role.
  • Secret level clearance, with the ability to obtain Top Secret.
  • Familiarity with GIS, remote sensing, and ISR.
  • Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
  • Ability to work in an independent, collaborative, and fast-paced environment.
  • Experienced in working in a client-facing role, ideally in a pre-sales role.
  • Familiarity with concepts and technologies used in building a SaaS platform related to data analytics.
  • Familiarity with AI concepts and use cases, such as object detection, segmentation, natural language processing (NLP), and machine learning.
  • Familiarity with agile development environments and AWS.
  • Good understanding of software sales cycle, strategies, and requirements gathering.
  • Excellent presentation and communication skills, able to explain complex technical concepts to a variety of audiences, including C-suite level.
  • Ability and willingness to support military exercises and provide on-site demonstrations.
  • Ability to travel up to 25%.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Knowledge and experience with:
    • SOCET GXP, ArcGIS, ENVI, QGIS, Google Earth Engine, or other relevant geospatial analysis tools.
  • Experience with defense, government, and intelligence agencies (foreign or domestic).
  • Experience in working with APIs and API integration with cloud-based technologies.
  • Experience managing sales pipeline using technologies like Zendesk, Salesforce.
  • Understanding of tactical military operations and organizational structure.
  • Hands-on experience with 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 (ESPP)
  • Employee Assistance and Travel Assistance Programs
  • Employer matching donations
  • Professional development
  • Mac or PC? Your choice!
  • Awesome swag

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

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