Chief Engineer - ML, Physical AI, & Autonomy

Blue Origin LLC; United States; Hybrid; USD 326,000 - 355,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Parental leave

Life insurance

401(k) with company match

Education Support Program

Stock options

Paid time off

Holidays

Job summary

Blue Origin LLC is seeking a senior technical leader to anchor ML, autonomy, and Physical AI for space applications. You will architect, train, and deploy models enabling autonomous operations on lunar surfaces and space systems, leading a small dedicated team and influencing strategy.

You will collaborate with academia, industry, and government, briefing executives on capability roadmaps while shaping the company’s autonomy roadmap and safety practices.

Qualifications

• MS/PhD in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Robotics or related field.
• 12+ years (Level 7) / 10+ years (Level 6) in autonomy/ML for real-world deployment.
• Led AI/ML model development for physical AI applications.
• Demonstrated technical leadership across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Proficient in Python and C/C++ for production code.

Responsibilities

• Design and train ML models for autonomy, perception, and control in space applications.
• Define simulation and training pipelines for lunar and in-space use cases.
• Deploy models into Blue Origin platforms and infrastructure.
• Recruit and guide a team of ML/autonomy engineers (6–8 people).
• Define autonomy reference architectures for lunar and orbital operations.
• Collaborate with GN&C, avionics, software, and systems engineering.

Skills

ML systems

Autonomy

Robotics

Python

C/C++

Leadership

Education

MS/PhD in CS/EE/Robotics

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

ROS/ROS2

Gazebo

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

Application close date:

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

About the Role

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 Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE), supporting Blue Origin’s mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. The team fosters innovation and drives engineering workflows of the future, shared solutions and standards, simplicity and lower costs, and manufacturable design. Chief Engineer - ML, Physical AI, & Autonomy Location: Kent, WA (preferred) | Denver, CO | Florida | Huntsville, AL | Texas | California | Remote consideration Security Clearance: Ability to obtain a DoD U.S. Secret clearance. U.S. citizenship required.

Blue Origin is building a world-class Machine Learning, Physical AI, and autonomy organization to power our next generation of space vehicles, lunar systems, and robotic platforms. Our vision of millions of people living and working in space will require advanced robotics and Physical AI of all kinds. To this end we are seeking a senior ML / Autonomy / Physical AI technical leader to anchor this capability — architecting and training the models that will enable autonomous operations on the lunar surface and across our space systems. We look to fly these capabilities into space and to the lunar surface on upcoming missions. This is a Technical leader role for our ML, autonomy, and Physical AI capability, with the mandate to lead a focused team of 6-8 engineers. You will define the Digital Twin simulation and training pipeline, train and architect models, deploy them onto our platforms and infrastructure, and shape Blue Origin's strategy in this area. You will engage with peers in academia, industry, and government. You will report into senior leadership and have direct visibility with Executive leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Model Architecture & Training: Lead design and training of ML models for autonomy, perception, decision-making, and control in space applications
• Digital Twin & Simulation: Define the simulation and training pipeline needed for the different lunar surface and in-space applications
• Platform Integration: Operationalize models — deploy, run, and integrate into Blue Origin systems and infrastructure
• Team Building: Recruit, build, and lead a focused team of 6-8 ML/autonomy engineers
• Technical Strategy: Define autonomy reference architectures spanning lunar surface operations, in-space servicing, autonomous landing, and orbital robotics
• Cross-Functional Integration: Partner with GN&C, avionics, software, and systems engineering to translate research advances into deployable autonomy
• Assured Autonomy: Champion V&V, runtime assurance, uncertainty quantification, and safety cases for high-consequence space systems
• External Engagement: Represent Blue Origin with customers, partners, and academia
• Executive Visibility: Brief Executive leadership on autonomy capability and roadmap

Minimum Qualifications

• M.S. in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, Applied Math, or related technical field
• 12+ years (Level 7) / 10+ years (Level 6) of progressive experience developing autonomy, robotics, or ML systems for real-world deployment
• Industry leader in developing AI/ML models and training techniques for physical AI
• Demonstrated technical leadership of complex multi-disciplinary efforts
• Deep expertise in two or more of the following: Model architectures and training techniques for Physical AI systems
• Computer vision and perception (detection/segmentation, SLAM, visual-inertial odometry, sensor fusion)
• Robotic manipulation, grasping, and contact-rich tasks
• Modern ML stack (PyTorch / JAX / TensorFlow), training pipelines, and model deployment
• Decision-making under uncertainty (RL, MPC, MDP/POMDP, hybrid planning)
• GN&C-integrated autonomy (rendezvous & proximity operations, hazard detection & avoidance, terrain-relative navigation, powered descent guidance)
• Multi-agent / swarm systems and distributed autonomy
• Production-quality coding skills in Python and C/C++
• Experience taking concepts from research through integrated demonstration
• Excellent technical communication; able to brief executives, customers, and engineers

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a relevant technical field
• Prior automotive / AV autonomy, aerospace, defense, or safety-critical systems experience
• Experience with foundation models / Vision-Language-Action (VLA) models for robotics
• Familiarity with V&V for ML/AI in high-consequence applications (formal methods, runtime monitors, uncertainty quantification, SOTIF/ISO 21448)
• Experience with simulation frameworks: Isaac Sim, Gazebo / Ignition, MuJoCo, MATLAB/Simulink, custom physics engines
• Experience with ROS / ROS2, DDS, or analogous middleware
• Experience deploying ML on edge / embedded / radiation-tolerant compute (Orin, Versal, rad-hard SoCs, FPGAs)
• Familiarity with lunar surface operations, cislunar logistics, or in-space servicing/assembly/manufacturing
• Active U.S. Secret or Top Secret/SCI clearance
• Publications in NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, ICRA, IROS, RSS, CoRL, AIAA SciTech / GNC, or equivalent
• Experience with proposal writing for NASA / DARPA / AFRL / SDA programs

Base Pay Range for: WA applicants is $253,878.00 - $355,429.20 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 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. We’re committed to building the road to space so our children can build the future. We are a mission-driven company focused on ideas and innovation, and encourage fresh perspectives from bold voices. At Blue, our team is building the future as their unique selves. Thank you for your interest in working at Blue Origin! Blue Origin was founded with a vision to enable a future where millions of people are living and working in space to benefit Earth. In order to preserve Earth, Blue Origin believes in the need to enable humanity to expand, explore, find new energy and material resources, and move industries that stress Earth into space. Blue Origin believes it has an important role in building a road to space and lowering the cost of getting there. At Blue Origin, we’re working on this today by developing fully reusable launch vehicles and systems that are safe, reliable and affordable. Every launch vehicle is designed for human spaceflight from the beginning and able to ferry payloads to space.

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