Sr AI&T Engineer (Automation)
BlackSky · Tukwila, WA
$140,000–$160,000from the description
Jul 22, 2026
Tukwila, WA
Jul 23, 2026
What this job asks for AI summary
A hands-on engineering role focused on automating test and manufacturing processes for satellite production. Day-to-day work involves writing and maintaining Python and Bash scripts, supporting automated test equipment, troubleshooting hardware and software issues on the production floor, and keeping technical documentation current. Suited to someone with at least six years in a production environment who is comfortable bridging software development and physical hardware in an aerospace or similarly regulated setting.
Senior level · 6+ years · Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA · Full-time
We read this from the posting text with AI. Skim the description below before ruling yourself out.
How this req sits in the market our data
Roughly 340 people in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA area plausibly meet what this posting asks for (software quality assurance analysts and testers). range 260–450
Applicant volume Moderate — A normal amount of company. The rare requirements below are what will separate a shortlisted application from the rest.
Most people in this occupation already list these. Still required — just not what gets you shortlisted.
What the occupation pays Median $132,542 (middle half $100,574–$171,909). This posting is about at that midpoint.
Estimated from BLS employment for this occupation and area, per-skill prevalence across our listing corpus, and published wage benchmarks — as of Jul 28, 2026. It is a model, not a headcount.
Why we read it this way (5)
The role sits at the intersection of test automation and software development — it primarily automates test procedures and production systems in a satellite manufacturing environment, which maps best to 15-1253 (QA/Test), though the volume of Python/Bash scripting and software development work makes 15-1252 (Software Developers) a credible alternative.
The JD states a Bachelor of Science or higher 'or equivalent experience,' so no formal degree is hard-gated.
The posting notes it may also be open to more junior (intermediate-level) candidates at a salary range of $125,000–$145,000/year; the advertised senior range of $140,000–$160,000/year is used as the primary compensation figure.
ITAR/U.S. Person status is a hard requirement due to government space technology export regulations, though no formal security clearance is required.
Electrical measurement equipment (oscilloscopes, function generators) appears under Preferred Qualifications and is a hands-on hardware skill rather than a named software tool, so it is omitted from the skills list per extraction rules.
Read the full posting
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