Avionics Operations Engineer II

Blue Origin LLC; Town of Florida (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Origin LLC is seeking an experienced avionics engineer to join the Orbital Launch Engineering Avionics team. You will develop, manage, and execute integrated tests and operations for spaceflight systems on NewGlenn, interfacing with software, hardware, and ground systems to ensure safe, repeatable launches.

The role requires knowledge of GNC theory, flight computing, and hands-on operations, with programming experience in QT/Python and a passion for space exploration.

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics or Math.
• 3+ years industry experience in Avionics GNC Design, Test, Integration and/or Operations, launch systems, aerospace, or satellite operations.
• Experience with code review process and SCI’s, CLI usage, basic knowledge of avionics networks and routing tables.
• Knowledge of firmware vs software use in avionics components (FPGA’s, PLC’s, etc).
• Demonstrated field operations, coordinating activities with technicians and other engineering teams.
• Strong operations planning and organizational skills.
• Effective technical communications; comfortable speaking in a launch control room.
• Ability to support off shift work during launch/test campaigns.
• U.S. citizen or national or lawful status for U.S. employment.

Responsibilities

• Process assigned vehicle systems from stage receipt at the launch site through launch and landing.
• Develop and maintain production schedules, quality documents, and engineering.
• Collaborate with other element teams to develop requirements, plans, procedures, and data products for launch preparations.
• Interface with embedded software team for deployment of OFP to avionics.
• Ensure launch vehicle and ground systems are integrated and prepared for launch and flight.
• Work night and weekend shifts for launches.
• Write sequencer code and create controller panels.
• Hands-on troubleshooting and testing during preparations.
• Certify as a launch engineer controller for operation on launch day.
• Determine and correct anomaly causes during time-critical ops.
• Perform data reviews and apply process improvements after flights.
• Ongoing training to broaden knowledge of other avionics systems.

Skills

GNC theory

Launch operations

Flight computing

QT programming

Python programming

Education

B.S. in Aerospace/Electrical/Mechanical/Cs/Physics/Math

Tools

QT

Python

Simulink

MATLAB

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 supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a single-configuration, heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to low-Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar, and beyond. Its first stage is fully reusable, and the vehicle was designed from the beginning to be human-capable. This role is part of the Orbital Launch Engineering Avionics team. We are a small, passionate and accomplished team of operations experts. You will develop, manage, support, andexecute integrated tests and operations for various spaceflight systems on NewGlenn up to and including launch. As part of a diverse and hardworking team of engineers and technicians, you will contribute to the test and operation of Avionics Guidance Navigation Controls (GNC) SW/HW (IMUs, NAV Sensors, controls, GPS) & Main Flight Computing HW/SW spaceflight systems. You will share in the team’s impact on all aspects of mission success for the NewGlenn orbital launch vehicle.

Responsibilities

• process your assigned vehicle systems, from stage receipt at the launch site through launch and landing
• develop and maintain production schedules, quality documents, and engineering
• work with other element teams to develop, interpret, and consume operational requirements and produce engineering work orders, technical plans, procedures, HMI displays, and other data products that are required to prepare and launch operational flight vehicles
• interface with the embedded software development team when necessary for deployment and updating of Operational Flight Programs (OFP) to the vehicle avionics
• ensure the launch vehicle and associated ground systems are integrated and prepared for launch and flight
• work shifts including nights and weekends for launches
• write sequencer code and create controller panels
• perform hands‑on troubleshooting and testing during preparations
• certify as a launch engineer controller, ultimately operating your assigned systems on launch day
• determine and correct anomaly causes, often during time‑critical operations
• perform data reviews and incorporate process improvements after flight
• training will continue to increase the operators knowledge of other avionics systems for launch operations

The ideal candidate has GNC theory of operation knowledge, launch vehicle operations experience, flight computing/command and data handling knowledge, is familiar with SW development and HIL testing, is highly detail-oriented and future‑thinking, can manage a broad set of diverse data, has programming experience in QT/Python, and has a deep passion for Blue Origin’s mission. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your dedicated commitment and detailed attention to safe and repeatable spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. Degree in Aerospace, Electical, Mechnical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics or Math
• 3+ years industry experience in Avionics GNC Design, Test, Integration and/or Operations, launch systems, aerospace, or satellite operations
• Experience with code review process and SCI’'s, experience using CLI, basic knowledge of avionics network systems and routing tables
• Knowledge of firmware vs software use in avionics components (FPGA’s, PLC’s, etc)
• Demonstrated field operations, coordinating activities with technicians and other engineering teams
• Strong operations planning and organizational skills
• Effective technical communications capabilities and must be comfortable speaking over communication within a launch control room
• Ability to support off shift work schedules during launch and/or test campaigns
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated control room or operations experience in a real‑time, intense, and high consequence environment
• Detailed knowledge of Avionics Navigation theory including calculating coordinate transformations, satellite measurement data, and GPS theory
• Experience with HWIL/SWIL/Simulations Test Programming languages or equivalent: Qt, Simulink, MATLAB, WinPlot, Epsilon, Python
• Demonstrated successful experience writing technical procedures, non‑conformance documentation, and specifications
• Experience with Ethernet/CCDL/RS‑422/RS‑485 based communication protocols
• Strong safety record and mindset, including hands‑on experience planning