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BlackSky

Principal Systems Architect

Principal Systems Architect 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 ...

Engine

Principal Systems Architect

As a Principal Systems Architect, you will own the architecture of platforms that drive go-to-market processes, collaborating with various teams to translate business needs into scalable systems.

Engine

Principal Systems Architect

About the Role As Principal Systems Architect for GTM & Business Systems at Engine, you'll own the end-to-end architecture of the platforms that power how we go to market - Salesforce, Tray.io ...

Draper

Principal Systems Architect

Cambridge, MA

The Digital Engineering and Enabling Technologies Division is seeking a Principal Digital Engineering Solution Architect to apply systems-thinking and advanced methodologies to developing solutions ...

Draper

Principal Systems Architect

Huntsville, AL

The Digital Engineering and Enabling Technologies Division is seeking a Principal Digital Engineering Solution Architect to apply systems-thinking and advanced methodologies to developing solutions ...

Draper

Principal Systems Architect

Cambridge, MA · On-site

The Digital Engineering and Enabling Technologies Division is seeking a Principal Digital Engineering Solution Architect to apply systems-thinking and advanced methodologies to developing solutions ...

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How much do principal systems architect jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal systems architect in the United States is $138,022.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $117,500.00 and $157,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Principal Systems Architect job?

A Principal Systems Architect is a senior-level technical role responsible for designing and overseeing complex IT systems and infrastructure. They define technical standards, system architectures, and integration strategies to meet business objectives. This role requires deep expertise in software, hardware, networking, and cloud technologies, along with leadership skills to guide teams. Principal Systems Architects collaborate with stakeholders to ensure scalability, security, and efficiency in system designs.

What are some common challenges faced by Principal Systems Architects, and how are they addressed in this role?

Principal Systems Architects often face the challenge of bridging the gap between complex technical requirements and evolving business needs. This can involve managing competing stakeholder priorities, ensuring system scalability, and integrating new technologies with existing infrastructure. Successful architects address these challenges by maintaining open communication with cross-functional teams, leveraging established architectural frameworks, and employing robust planning and documentation processes. Team collaboration and ongoing professional development are also crucial for staying ahead of industry trends and maintaining effective, future-proof solutions in dynamic environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Principal Systems Architect position, and why are they important?

To excel as a Principal Systems Architect, you need deep expertise in systems design, enterprise architecture, and solution integration, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with architectural frameworks (like TOGAF or Zachman), cloud platforms (such as AWS or Azure), and relevant certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect) is highly valued. Strong communication, leadership, and stakeholder management abilities set outstanding professionals apart. These competencies enable architects to design robust, scalable systems while aligning technical solutions with business goals across large organizations.

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Principal Systems Architect jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Systems Architect job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $138,022 per year, or $66.4 per hour.
Principal Systems Architect

Principal Systems Architect

BlackSky

Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

Principal Systems Architect
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.
BlackSky is looking for a talented software system architect, in support of the Chief Technology Office to help shape and drive the realization of future BlackSky space vehicle ground segment capabilities. This role will play an instrumental part in future innovation and supporting BlackSky's position as a leader in real-time geospatial intelligence and satellite missions. BlackSky is looking for multi-faceted individual with a strong software architecture background who can work across diverse stakeholder sets to plan and execute system and software architectural solutions. This is a hands-on role and you will be working across teams to evolve our current systems and technologies to align with future BlackSky requirements, capabilities, and strategic direction.
This role reports to the VP, Product Architecture and while we would strongly prefer candidates near our Herndon, VA office we may also consider remote candidates in certain states.
Responsibilities:
  • Develop and own the productized software architecture for the ground segment for customer satellite missions and programs.
  • Architect, design, and manage software requirements and design for As-Is and Target architectures for systems and sub-systems within BlackSky's Ground Segment.
  • Distill unified requirements and system design across disparate major customers and programs, product roadmap, and BlackSky Strategic vision.
  • Communicate with internal and external stakeholder and translate requirements into engineering specifications within the BlackSky architecture.
  • Understand the interactions between systems, applications, and services within the architecture and evaluate the impact of changes or additions including risks resource, and schedule implications.
  • Ensure the accuracy and completeness of BlackSky architecture documentation.
  • Coordinate development and execution across software development teams, systems engineering, and program and product teams to develop execution plans for system capabilities, align development teams, and ensure effective capability integration across space and ground systems and subsystems.
  • Work with engineering teams on elements of system design including resource requirements, interfaces and data models, enterprise integration patterns, system and sub-system capabilities, standards and best practices, etc.
  • Support the capture and execution of customer programs by driving alignment with a common missions ground architecture.
  • Act as liaison between technical and non-technical departments, facilitating cross-team collaboration and understanding on system capabilities and execution.
  • Organize and track projects, proactively manage risks, manage project escalations, prioritize tasks, and meet specific business objectives.
  • Collaborate with business managers and technical groups to address important customer issues and find innovative solutions to difficult problems
  • Develop models and analyze data to evaluate tradeoffs and support the decision-making process.
  • Other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
  • A minimum of 12 years of related work experience with at least five (5) years in systems architecture or systems engineering.
  • Bachelor's degree in an engineering field.
  • Experience architecting complex software systems.
  • Able to decompose complex problems into pieces and components.
  • Familiarity with software engineering best practices and process including agile development, enterprise design patterns, and coding standards.
  • Experience with Kubernetes and on-premises deployments of software systems
  • Experience designing Software APIs, system integrations, and Data Models.
  • Experience with the software engineering life cycle from product concept through operations and maintenance and toolchains used to manage this process (JIRA, Git, etc.).
  • Versed in Systems Engineering best practices and tools including communicating, managing, and documenting system architectures, documenting interfaces, documenting and validation of functional and non-functional requirements.
  • Effective communication skills to represent architectural and engineering concepts and decisions across varied stakeholders including Engineering, Sales, Customers, Product Management.
  • Experience developing Concepts of Operations and derived engineering requirements based on complex Customer and Mission requirements.
  • Basic Algorithm or Modelling experience to develop rulesets for system behavior and the productization of high-level features.
  • Proficient in Golang, C++, or Python.
  • Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a US Security Clearance (this requires US Citizenship).

Preferred Qualifications:
  • A minimum of 15 years of related work experience with at least five (5) years in systems architecture or systems engineering.
  • Experience developing software systems for on-premises air-gapped environments.
  • Experience with component(s) of the ground segment for satellite systems including command and control, mission planning, ground stations, flight software, order management, image production, or AI/ML or analogous systems.
  • Former software engineering and software architecture experience for production systems, especially for space, command and control, mission planning, or data processing.
  • Hands on experience with DevOps and Kubernetes infrastructure and deployments.
  • Master's degree in engineering.

Life at BlackSky for full-time US 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 $190,000 -$215,000 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. #LI-Remote
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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