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Flight Operator Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

BlackSky

Staff Engineer, Flight Software

Seattle, WA · On-site

$155K - $180K/yr

Staff Engineer, Flight Software About Us: BlackSky is a real-time intelligence company. We own and ... Experience with Real Time Operating Systems, including FreeRTOS. * Familiarity with u-boot, or ...

Worldwide Flight Services

Ramp Service Agent

Seattle, WA · On-site

$22.28/hr

About WFS Join our Worldwide Flight Services family and contribute to the timely delivery of cargo shipment, luggage, business to customer delivery, and on-time flights while operating safely and ...

K2 Space

Senior Flight Software Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

This spectrum includes GNC algorithms (Rust, C++), application software on flight computers (Rust, C++), to embedded software on microcrontrollers (Rust, C++),to operating systems (Rust, C++, C), to ...

K2 Space

Principal Flight Software Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$200K - $240K/yr

This spectrum includes GNC algorithms (Rust, C++), application software on flight computers (Rust, C++), to embedded software on microcrontrollers (Rust, C++),to operating systems (Rust, C++, C), to ...

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All JobsFlight Operator JobsFlight Operator Jobs in Seattle, WA

Flight Operator information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$16

$32

$54

How much do flight operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for flight operator in Seattle, WA is $32.34, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.74 and $32.93 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a flight operator?

Flight Operators are professionals responsible for managing and coordinating the logistical and operational aspects of flights. Their duties typically include flight planning, monitoring aircraft movements, ensuring compliance with aviation regulations, and communicating with pilots and air traffic control. They play a crucial role in ensuring flights operate safely, efficiently, and on schedule. Flight Operators may work for airlines, private charter companies, or government agencies, and often work in shifts to provide 24/7 coverage.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a flight operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Flight Operator, you need a solid understanding of aviation regulations, flight planning, and air traffic control procedures, often supported by a relevant degree or certification in aviation management. Familiarity with flight scheduling software, dispatch systems, and weather monitoring tools is typically required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are vital soft skills for coordinating with pilots, crew, and ground staff. These skills ensure safe, efficient, and compliant flight operations in a dynamic and high-stakes environment.

What are some common challenges faced by flight operators and how are they typically addressed?

Flight Operators often face challenges such as coordinating flight schedules amid rapidly changing weather conditions, managing communication between pilots and ground crews, and ensuring strict compliance with aviation regulations. These challenges are typically addressed through advanced planning, the use of specialized flight operations software, and close collaboration with air traffic controllers and maintenance teams. Strong organizational and decision-making skills are essential, as is the ability to adapt quickly to unforeseen events to ensure safety and efficiency.
Flight Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Flight Operator job openings in Seattle, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 47% Full Time, 50% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,260 per year, or $32.3 per hour.

Staff Engineer, Flight Software

BlackSky

Seattle, WA • On-site

$155K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Staff Engineer, Flight Software
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.
Join the Satellite Embedded Software Group (ESG) as a Staff Flight Software Engineer. This is a hands-on individual contributor role that reports to the Senior Manager of Flight Software. You'll be responsible for software design, development and technical leadership primarily for the satellite imaging payload and ADCS subsystems. This role will also contribute to software requirements and test plan support. As you grow with the team, you'll have opportunities to work on other flight software subsystems as well as mentorship.
As a staff member of the ESG team, you'll make a large business impact across multiple critical programs from design to execution. You'll collaborate across our embedded systems group and work closely with other cross-functional and program team members, including Satellite Operations and Mission Management.
The preferred location is Tukwila, WA with the ability to work in the Tukwila office 1-2 days a week.
Responsibilities:
  • Provide subject matter expertise for ADCS and imaging payload subsystem software design and development.
  • Drive work to timely completion using task management tools like Jira in an Agile-like environment; participate and lead in status and standup meetings, sprint planning, tasking, etc.
  • Collaborate with other ESG software team members and other cross-functional engineers from multiple disciplines to deliver mission-critical software features and bugfixes that are on-time and defect free.
  • Ensure that adequate documentation, test, inspection, and analysis is delivered and performed to verify compliance with requirements and other goals.
  • Assist with Systems Engineering with requirements development and management.
  • Execute and provide feedback for flight software design, development, unit tests and releases processes.
  • Other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering or equivalent experience
  • At least 10 years of experience delivering and maintaining commercial/embedded1
    software in a production environment.
  • Expertise in engineering clean and maintainable C/C++ and Python code.
  • Expertise in embedded systems, ideally in Embedded Linux including related build systems (Buildroot, Yocto, etc.).
  • Proven experience leading cross-functional teams to deliver products on time and on budget.
  • Outstanding root cause analysis and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to work across teams, skill sets, communication in a diverse environment.
  • Must be able to work with minimal supervision.
  • Due to program requirements, this role requires US-born citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Advanced degree (masters or PhD) in a relevant field of study.
  • Experience in board bring-up for embedded linux platforms.
  • Familiarity with hardware interfaces (GPIO, I2C, SPI, CAN, USART, PHY, SpaceWire, Cameralink, RS-422), or high-speed interfaces (10G Ethernet, DMA, PCIe).
  • Experience with Real Time Operating Systems, including FreeRTOS.
  • Familiarity with u-boot, or other boot loaders.
  • Space Industry Experience, and familiarity with satellite components.
  • Experience working on embedded software relevant to ADCS/GNC.

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
  • 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 $155,000-180,000 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
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About BlackSky

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Herndon, VA, US

Year founded

2013

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