GN&C Flight Controls Engineer – Lunar Permanence

Blue Origin; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 150,931 - 211,303; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Blue Origin in Denver is looking for a talented engineer to join their Guidance, Navigation, and Control team. Your responsibilities will include developing and sustaining control system algorithms for spacecraft and collaborating closely with propulsion and structural engineers.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in aerospace engineering and demonstrated expertise in control algorithms, as well as experience with C/C++ programming. This role is crucial to their mission of making space accessible to all.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in GN&C algorithm development.
• Knowledge of classical and modern control methods.
• Experience with control law design for aerospace vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Develop control system algorithms for spacecraft.
• Collaborate with other engineers on system design.
• Implement control algorithms using Rust, C/C++, Python.

Skills

GN&C algorithm development

Flight and attitude control

Programming in C/C++

Frequency domain analysis

Controller stability derivatives

Education

B.S. in Aerospace Engineering or Physics

M.S. in related field

Tools

Rust

Python

Gitlab

Confluence

JIRA

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 the transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.

As part of a hardworking team of engineers, you will join our Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) team with an emphasis on Flight Controls. You will share in the team’s impact on all aspects of developing control laws and flight software for spacecraft traveling from the Earth to the Moon. You will also prototype algorithms, conduct trade studies for control architectures, and perform linear stability analyses using classical and modern approaches. Expect to collaborate closely with other subsystems and spacecraft systems engineers to support the definition of subsystem boundaries, interfaces, and technical performance measures. In this capacity, you will be responsible for exemplifying proven practices, balanced technical judgment, and for demonstrating outstanding work ethic.

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

Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To

• Develop and sustain control system algorithms for spacecraft operating sophisticated missions
• Perform trade studies driving spacecraft maturity and mission design
• Collaborate with propulsion, structures, fluids, and mechanisms to ensure system level design closure
• Develop and maintain software for flight systems and simulation models
• Integrate and test software in SIL and HIL environments
• Implement controls algorithms and subsystems component models in an integrated 6‑DOF simulation environment using Rust, C/C++, and Python
• Develop toolsets for automated requirement, configuration, and performance analyses
• Support internal and external reviews with data products and reports

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering or Physics with 8+ years of experience or M.S. with 5+ years of experience
• Established background in GN&C algorithm development specifically for flight and attitude control using classical and modern control methods
• Knowledgeable in frequency domain analysis techniques
• Robust understanding of controller stability derivatives and stability margins with respect to spacecraft dynamics, flexible body dynamics, and slosh dynamics
• Demonstrated experience with control law design for aerospace vehicles
• Demonstrated experience with control allocation to vehicle actuators
• Familiarity with development of requirements, interfaces, trades and analyses for aerospace GN&C applications
• Understand the relationship between attitude control, vehicle configuration, spacecraft dynamics, actuators, sensors, and automation
• Hands‑on development with C/C++
• Experience with collaboration tools such as Gitlab, Confluence, and JIRA
• Strong grasp of software and data configuration management techniques and tools
• Highly organized teammate with excellent technical written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and give to a culture of safety
• 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

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Aerospace, Mechatronic, Electrical Engineering or closely related technical subject area
• Proven experience in development, implementation and testing of GN&C systems for aerospace vehicles
• Proven technical experience through the full lifecycle of system development
• Proficiency in various control law schemes such as PID, Phase‑Plane, H‑Infinity, Lead and Lag Compensators, Dynamic Inversion, etc.
• Experience designing flight control systems with reaction control systems (RCS), thrust vector control (TVC), or electric propulsion
• Deep knowledge of astrodynamics, orbital mechanics, attitude kinematics and dynamics
• Experience with spacecraft control system design considerations for Rendezvous and Proximity Operations and Docking (RPOD)
• Experience providing GN&C support during on‑orbit mission operations
• Experience synthesizing and evaluating Monte Carlo simulations, hardware‑in‑the‑loop, and software‑in‑the‑loop testing
• Experience with real‑time flight software
• Hands‑on experience with GN&C flight hardware
• Experience with performing system safety analyses including Functional Hazard Assessments; Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analyses; and Fault Tree Analysis
• Experience coding in Rust
• Experience with linear stability analysis in Matlab

Base Pay Range For

CO applicants: $150,931.00 - $211,303.05
WA applicants: $164,652.00 - $230,512.80

Other Site Ranges May Differ

Base pay ranges are subject to change based on location and role differences.

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 (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 the role requires being on a military installation
• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), etc.
• Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, including 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 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 weeks per year based on scheduled hours, and up to 14 company‑paid holidays
• Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for bonuses based on the company’s intent; bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and are subject to change

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 workforce. We hire and promote 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 and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of protected status.

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 [e-mail]. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.