Avionics DFI Engineer III

Blue Origin LLC; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 121,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Stock options

Job summary

Blue Origin LLC invites engineers to lead Development Flight Instrumentation (DFI) for the MK-1 lunar lander. You will own the end-to-end lifecycle—from concept through integration, verification, and validation—applied to flight avionics and imaging systems.

You will architect DFI solutions with custom and COTS hardware, supervise sensor integration and data flow, and work with teams to meet mission targets and safety requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Optical Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in avionics, instrumentation, and imaging systems engineering.
• Experience owning a subsystem across full lifecycle: requirements, design, integration, validation.

Responsibilities

• Lead Development Flight Instrumentation (DFI) lifecycle from concept to validation for lunar missions.
• Architect DFI solutions using custom and COTS avionics hardware and sensors.
• Design, integrate, and test flight hardware assemblies to verify against requirements.
• Coordinate sensor installation, calibration, and data management for mission data collection.
• Drive trade studies for instrumentation hardware and subsystems; manage budget and schedule.
• Prepare status reports and maintain design standards for DFI to support future missions.
• Ensure DFI compliance with flight safety and environmental requirements.

Skills

Avionics systems

DFI ownership

COTS hardware

C++ scripting

Python scripting

Sensor integration

Camera systems

Electrical interfaces

V&V testing

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering

Bachelor's in Physics

Bachelor's in Optical Engineering

Tools

LVDS

SpaceWire

GigE Vision

Camera Link

CSI-2

Ethernet

Job description

Application close date:Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.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.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 diverse team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!This role is part of the Lunar Permanence business unit. To further Blue Origin's mission of having millions of people living and working in space, we are building the sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the Lunar Surface.As part of a small, passionate and accomplished team of experts, you will be responsible for Development Flight Instrumentation (DFI) for the MK-1 lunar lander as part of the MK-1 Avionics team. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your dedicated commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!RESPONSIBILITIES:Development Flight InstrumentationServe as the primary technical authority for Development Flight Instrumentation (DFI), leading the full subsystem lifecycle—from concept, requirements definition, and architecture through design, analysis, integration, verification, and validation for lunar missionsArchitect and design DFI solutions leveraging a combination of custom and COTS avionics hardware, including flight computing, signal conditioning, data acquisition systems, sensors, and harnessingDesign, integrate, and test flight hardware assemblies to verify functionality and robustness against system requirements and mission targetsDevelop and maintain ground support equipment and test electronics (hardware and software) to support instrumentation development, integration, and test campaignsMaintain sensor lists and integration tracking documentation, ensuring accuracy of sensor allocations, locations, wiring/harness mapping, and status throughout vehicle integrationCoordinate and support sensor installation and integration activities, working closely with technicians and product teams to ensure correct placement, calibration, and functional checkoutSupport product teams throughout test and flight operations, including real-time operation and monitoring of DFI systems, data management, and post-test data reduction for performance analysis and troubleshootingCollaborate cross-functionally with product teams to translate mission and vehicle requirements into instrumentation architectures that meet data collection, reliability, and schedule needsDrive make-vs-buy trade studies and technical decisions for instrumentation hardware and subsystemsManage DFI subsystem budget, schedule, and cost; coordinate team activities, procure hardware, and manage contractor/vendor relationshipsPrepare and deliver status reports and performance updates to stakeholders and leadershipAuthor and maintain documentation of best practices, lessons learned, and design standards for development flight instrumentation to support continuous improvement across future missionsEnsure DFI designs comply with relevant flight safety, reliability, and environmental requirements for lunar mission applicationsImaging system design & component selectionOwn the camera architecture across vehicle imaging needs: engineering situational awareness, deployment/separation witness cams, payload and customer-facing imagery, and public outreach / mission documentationTrade and select sensors, lenses, windows, filters, and ISPs against mission requirements; produce a documented link budget from photons-on-aperture to bits-on-the-groundDrive resolution requirements top-down from what each camera needs to show into IFOV, MTF, focal length, sensor pitch, and integration timeDefine dynamic range strategy for the lunar lighting environment; evaluate HDR sensors, dual/multi-gain readouts, exposure bracketing, log/PWL encoding, and tone mappingCoordinate stray-light analysis: sun and Earth glare into the opticsSelect and defend mounting locations against FOV coverage, occlusion by vehicle structure, thermal soak, and stray-light paths. Working with Vehicle systems teams to support and finalize camera integration.Build and maintain the camera FOV / coverage model across mission phases (cruise, lunar orbit, descent, touchdown, surface ops)Define imaging timelines, exposure plans, and on-board autoexposure logic against comms windows and downlink budget; work with ops to prioritize frames when bandwidth is tightVehicle integrationHelp define mechanical interfaces: brackets, alignment tolerances, boresight calibration plan, contamination covers, sunshades, and any articulated/deployable mountsHelp define electrical and data interfaces: connector pinouts, harness routing, power switching, sync/trigger, and the data path (CSI-2, GigE Vision, SpaceWire, Camera Link, LVDS, etc.) into C&DH and the downlink chainSupport development of photon budge, frame rate × resolution × bit depth × compression vs. on-board storage and DTE/relay linkPerform camera and DFI V&V: optical bench, thermal-vac, vibe/shock, EMI/EMC, radiation (TID/SEL/SEU per mission environment), and end-to-end functional with flight avionicsMinimum QualificationsBachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Optical Engineering, or a related technical field5+ years of experience in avionics, instrumentation (including bridge PTs, RTDs, and accelerometers), and electro-optical/imaging systems engineeringDemonstrated experience owning a subsystem or hardware element across the full lifecycle: requirements, design, integration, and verification & validationWorking knowledge of networking equipment and common data/interface standards (e.g., LVDS, SpaceWire, GigE Vision, Camera Link, CSI-2, Ethernet)Experience collaborating with component teams to define and document electrical and mechanical interfacesAbility to review embedded hardware requirements and PCB schematicsExperience developing and executing test campaigns including C++ and Python scripting for DFI integration testingDemonstrated ability to troubleshoot issues found in testing, isolate failures and root case, and provide corrective actionFamiliarity with aerospace system design requirements such as thermal, vibration, shock, EMI/EMC, acoustics, electrical grounding/bondingDirect experience working with suppliers and resolving problems as they ariseExcellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skillsPreferred QualificationsMaster’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Optical Engineering, or a related technical fieldDirect experience with DFI on launch vehicles, spacecraft, or landersElectro-optical/imaging systems design experience with space hardened cameraExperience designing hardware for the radiation environment (TID, SEL, SEU) and performing or supporting radiation testingExperience with lunar, cislunar, or deep-space mission environments and constraintsProficiency with analysis/scripting tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB) for data reduction and modelingFamiliarity with flight safety and reliability requirements and processesBase Pay Range for:WA applicants is $121,023.00 - $169,432.20Other site ranges may differCulture StatementDon’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 RegulationsApplicants 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 CheckRequired for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background CheckRequired for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installationRequired 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 physicalBenefitsBenefits 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 OpportunityBlue 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.Affirmative Action and Disability AccommodationApplicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affirmative Action Plans, 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.