Director of Software Engineering - Blue Ring Flight Software

Blue Origin LLC; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 222,000 - 310,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Blue Origin in Denver is seeking a Director of Software Engineering for Blue Ring Flight Software to lead embedded, real-time systems development for spaceflight applications. You will own the software architecture, technology strategy, and delivery roadmap across multiple teams to ensure mission success.

The role requires 12+ years in software engineering and 5+ years leading engineering organizations, with strong communication and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of software engineering experience, including embedded, real-time, or mission-critical systems development (e.g., C/C++).
• 5+ years of experience leading software engineering teams, including direct management of engineering managers or leads.
• Demonstrated experience owning software architecture, technical strategy, and delivery for complex embedded systems programs.
• Experience with software verification and validation practices, including requirements traceability, unit/integration testing, and qualification processes.
• Proven ability to manage cross-functional programs, balance competing priorities, and deliver against schedule and budget constraints.
• Strong communication skills, with experience presenting technical status and decisions to senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead, hire, and develop a multi-team organization of flight software engineers and engineering managers delivering embedded software for the Blue Ring spacecraft product line.
• Own the technical strategy, architecture direction, and delivery roadmap for Blue Ring flight software, ensuring alignment with mission requirements and program schedules.
• Partner with Systems Engineering, Avionics, GNC, and Mission Operations teams to define requirements, establish interfaces, and drive end-to-end software integration.
• Establish and champion rigorous software development, verification, and validation practices for real-time, embedded, mission-critical systems.
• Drive continuous improvement in software quality, reliability, and development velocity across the flight software organization.
• Set clear, prioritized goals for engineering managers and hold teams accountable to technical excellence, schedule commitments, and quality standards.
• Represent flight software in program-level reviews, technical baseline decisions, and cross-functional trade studies.
• Mentor and grow engineering managers and senior technical staff, building bench strength and succession depth within the organization.
• Manage staffing plans, budget, and resource allocation across flight software teams to meet program needs.
• Identify and remove roadblocks, elevate risks proactively, and ensure teams have the tools and support needed to deliver.

Skills

Embedded software

Leadership

Software architecture

Verification & Validation

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Master's degree in CS/EE

Job description

Role Overview

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! The role is part of the In-Space Systems business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit. Blue National Security | Blue Ring The role is part of the Blue National Security business unit, which is focused on the development, manufacturing, and operation of satellite systems to address national security needs in spaceflight today.

As Director of Software Engineering for Blue Ring Flight Software, you will lead the teams responsible for delivering mission-critical embedded flight software that enables the Blue Ring spacecraft to operate safely and reliably on orbit and beyond.

Special Mentions This role requires up to 20% travel to support integration, testing, and program milestones across Blue Origin sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead, hire, and develop a multi-team organization of flight software engineers and engineering managers delivering embedded software for the Blue Ring spacecraft product line.
• Own the technical strategy, architecture direction, and delivery roadmap for Blue Ring flight software, ensuring alignment with mission requirements and program schedules.
• Partner with Systems Engineering, Avionics, GNC, and Mission Operations teams to define requirements, establish interfaces, and drive end-to-end software integration.
• Establish and champion rigorous software development, verification, and validation practices for real-time, embedded, mission-critical systems.
• Drive continuous improvement in software quality, reliability, and development velocity across the flight software organization.
• Set clear, prioritized goals for engineering managers and hold teams accountable to technical excellence, schedule commitments, and quality standards.
• Represent flight software in program-level reviews, technical baseline decisions, and cross-functional trade studies.
• Mentor and grow engineering managers and senior technical staff, building bench strength and succession depth within the organization.
• Manage staffing plans, budget, and resource allocation across flight software teams to meet program needs.
• Identify and remove roadblocks, elevate risks proactively, and ensure teams have the tools and support needed to deliver.

Minimum Qualifications

• 12+ years of software engineering experience, including embedded, real-time, or mission-critical systems development (e.g., C/C++).
• 5+ years of experience leading software engineering teams, including direct management of engineering managers or leads.
• Demonstrated experience owning software architecture, technical strategy, and delivery for complex embedded systems programs.
• Experience with software verification and validation practices, including requirements traceability, unit/integration testing, and qualification processes.
• Proven ability to manage cross-functional programs, balance competing priorities, and deliver against schedule and budget constraints.
• Strong communication skills, with experience presenting technical status and decisions to senior stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience developing flight software for launch vehicles, spacecraft, or satellite systems.
• Familiarity with software safety and quality standards such as DO-178C or NASA-STD-8739.8.
• Experience supporting national security or defense-related space programs.
• Track record of scaling and structuring engineering organizations to support a growing product line.

Base Pay Range

Base Pay Range for: CO applicants is $221,512.00 - $310,116.45. 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

• 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.

Blue Origin will consider 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.

At Blue

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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