Senior Software Engineer, Design in Test (SDET)

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About This Role

BlackSky operates a space-based intelligence platform providing real-time satellite imagery, global monitoring, and automated analytics to commercial enterprises, allied military entities, and intelligence agencies. The organization is seeking a Senior Software Engineer, Design in Test (SDET) to create automated testing frameworks, tools, and emulated environments that validate enterprise software reliability. This development-oriented role centers on building test harnesses, mocking network conditions, and writing scalable Python-based automation integrated into continuous integration…

Job Description

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain automated testing frameworks and tools using Python for services, APIs, and user interfaces
• Construct Python or Go-based mocks, simulators, and emulators to replicate third-party platforms and network behaviors
• Develop and execute automated API test suites utilizing Python Requests, custom harnesses, and Postman or Newman
• Build user interface test suites using Python Playwright centered on reusable page-object patterns and components
• Review nightly test execution results, investigate failures, and deliver insights through Slack, Jira, and X-Ray integrations
• Troubleshoot API, backend, and user interface issues alongside developers to pinpoint root causes and confirm fixes
• Conduct targeted manual testing for new features, complex regression scenarios, and defect verification
• Verify functional behavior, system workflows, and edge cases across distributed application modules
• Maintain documentation for test frameworks, patterns, defect reproduction steps, and expected outcomes
• Support internal Python verification tools and ensure adequate coverage for new releases and high-risk zones
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives regarding test strategy, automation tooling, and coding standards
• Verify build readiness prior to deployment and release

Requirements

• At least six years of professional experience working as an SDET, Automation Engineer, or Software Test Engineer with heavy software development duties
• Deep proficiency in Python covering reusable modules, automation frameworks, and test tools
• Background in designing automated API tests through Python Requests or equivalent frameworks
• Experience building and maintaining automated user interface tests using Python Playwright
• History of creating Python-based utilities, environment emulators, mocks, or simulators
• Familiarity with test result reporting and tool integration via Slack, Jira, or X-Ray
• Capability to analyze automated test outcomes, trace root causes, and validate fixes collaboratively
• Working knowledge of continuous integration test pipelines, nightly orchestration, and execution workflows
• Understanding of distributed systems, service interactions, and API-driven architectures
• Proficiency in troubleshooting and debugging across APIs, backend services, and user interfaces
• U.S. citizenship as mandated by program and ITAR export regulations

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in a relevant field of study, or four additional years of equivalent experience
• Experience testing and verifying embedded software
• Background in building or maintaining hardware utilized for embedded software testing
• Programming experience in C or C++
• Ability to debug C or C++ and execute fault analysis
• Experience managing CI/CD systems or infrastructure as code
• Familiarity with device emulation and QEMU
• Experience utilizing Yocto or buildroot

Core Skills

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and group term life and AD&D insurance
• Employer covers 100 percent of employee-only medical, dental, and vision premiums plus a one hundred dollar monthly out-of-pocket contribution
• Fifteen days of paid time off
• Eleven company holidays and four floating holidays
• One day of paid volunteer leave annually
• Parental leave
• 401(k) pre-tax and Roth options with employer match
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Employee Assistance and Travel Assistance Programs
• Employer matching donations
• Professional development support
• Choice of Mac or PC workstation

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