MK2 GN&C Systems Responsible Engineer - Lunar Permanence

Blue Origin; Quinte West; On-site; CAD 204,000 - 311,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

Life Insurance

Parental leave

Disability insurance

401(k) with company match

Education Support Program

Stock Options

Paid Time Off

Holidays

Job summary

Blue Origin in the Lunar Permanence program seeks a seasoned GN&C Systems Engineer to lead requirements, budgets, and verification for the Guidance, Navigation and Control subsystem, collaborating with propulsion, structures, avionics, and vehicle teams.

You will work with NASA on the Human Landing System, developing verification plans, simulations, and tools to ensure mission success while maintaining clear communication and rigorous quality.

Qualifications

• MS degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical engineering with at least 10 years of design experience.
• Experience in full development lifecycle of GN&C subsystem on at least one aerospace program.
• Experience in the development and analysis of GN&C algorithms.
• Demonstrated experience in development and testing of navigation sensors and control actuators.
• Demonstrated experience in implementation and testing of GN&C software and hardware.
• Solid system engineering and configuration management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized and capable of planning and guiding complex technical work.
• Ability to perform in a dynamic, fast-paced, and driven work environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the definition of GN&C requirements, decomposition to component levels, and associated verification expectations
• Manage GN&C technical budgets and performance metrics
• Collaborate with other subsystems and spacecraft systems engineers to define subsystem boundaries and interfaces
• Lead and perform analyses, simulations, and tests (including component and hardware-in-the-loop) to verify component and subsystem specifications and requirements
• Lead development of verification and validation plans to ensure software components, hardware components, and the integrated subsystem will perform as specified to meet system and subsystem requirements
• Support the definition, development, and execution of simulations and tools necessary for verification of subsystem functionalities.
• Support the product team manager for updates to schedule, resources, cost, and risks

Skills

GN&C experience

Systems engineering

Communication skills

Leadership

Education

MS in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical engineering

PhD (desired)

Job description

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!

This role is part of the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin’s Blue Moon landers and related products. To further Blue Origin’s mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.

As part of a hardworking team of spacecraft development engineers, you will lead the systems engineering activities for the Guidance Navigation and Control (GN&C) subsystem and its components. Your responsibilities will include derivation and development of subsystem requirements, performing analyses and trade studies to validate requirements, and maintaining subsystem specification, budgets, and performance metrics. You will collaborate with the vehicle systems engineering, propulsion, structures, and avionics teams to ensure design coordination to meet the vehicle performance deliverables. You will need to be able to communicate technical information clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.

You will work directly with NASA as part of the Human Landing System (HLS) program. You will play a key role in developing Blue Origin’s lunar transportation system that will return humans to the Moon and extend human presence permanently beyond the bounds of Earth.

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Responsibilities:

• Lead the definition of GN&C requirements, decomposition to component levels, and associated verification expectations
• Manage GN&C technical budgets and performance metrics
• Collaborate with other subsystems and spacecraft systems engineers to define subsystem boundaries and interfaces
• Lead and perform analyses, simulations, and tests (including component and hardware-in-the-loop) to verify component and subsystem specifications and requirements
• Lead development of verification and validation plans to ensure software components, hardware components, and the integrated subsystem will perform as specified to meet system and subsystem requirements
• Support the definition, development, and execution of simulations and tools necessary for verification of subsystem functionalities.
• Support the product team manager for updates to schedule, resources, cost, and risks

Qualifications:

• M.S. degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical engineering or related subject areas with at least 10 years of design experience
• Experience in full development lifecycle of GN&C subsystem on at least one aerospace program
• Experience in the development and analysis of GN&C algorithms
• Demonstrated experience in development and testing of navigation sensors and control actuators
• Demonstrated experience in implementation and testing of GN&C software and hardware
• Solid system engineering and configuration management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Highly organized and capable of planning and guiding complex technical work
• Ability to perform in a dynamic, fast-paced, and driven work environment

Desired (but not required):

• Ph.D. in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical engineering or related subject areas
• Demonstrated experience leading full development lifecycle of GN&C subsystem in at least one aerospace program
• Demonstrated advanced knowledge in the development of planetary spacecraft GN&C systems
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with development of descent and landing software for planetary missions

Base Pay Range for:

• CO applicants is $144,179.00 - $201,849.90
• WA applicants is $156,802.00 - $219,522.45

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S.as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background Check
• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation
• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing, vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.
• Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits

• Benefits include: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.
• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
• Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company’s intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company’s results, or other factors at the company’s sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on “Know Your Rights,” please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Aff‑ or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at [e-mail]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.