Guidance and Control Engineer

Blue Origin; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 189,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Paid time off

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking an experienced engineer to own guidance, control, and sequencing algorithms for the New Glenn flight system. You will design, implement, and verify software with MATLAB/Simulink, and hand-code in C/C++ where needed, while collaborating across teams to ensure robust flight performance.

You will run Monte Carlo analyses, develop test plans, and participate in hardware-in-the-loop and flight campaigns, contributing to safe, reusable spaceflight systems.

Qualifications

• B.S. in aerospace or mechanical engineering or a related discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in aerospace guidance and control or simulation.
• Proficient with MATLAB/Simulink for design and analysis.
• Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop guidance and control algorithms for New Glenn flight control.
• Sequence mission activities and vehicle system commands.
• Develop GN&C requirements with flow downs to subsystem and software levels.
• Build guidance and control algorithms in Simulink to support auto-code generation.
• Implement hand-coded flight software in C/C++ where appropriate.
• Conduct stability and performance assessments including linear and nonlinear models.
• Perform Monte Carlo simulations to characterize performance and robustness.
• Author and execute unit tests, ensure code coverage, and support verification.
• Support hardware-in-the-loop integration and test campaigns.
• Validate plant models and algorithm performance using test/flight data.

Skills

MATLAB/Simulink

C/C++

Technical writing

Python scripting

Education

B.S. in aerospace/mechanical engineering or related

M.S. in aerospace/mechanical engineering or related

Tools

Simulink

C/C++ flight software development

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.

New Glenn is a reusable heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle flying government and commercial customers to orbit. The Flight Autonomy team owns the guidance, control, and sequencing algorithms across all flight phases - a responsibility that evolves as the vehicle’s performance and flight cadence increase.

As part of a small, accomplished team of engineers, this role carries full-lifecycle ownership of guidance, control, and sequencing algorithms from requirements definition through flight. The position spans algorithm design, flight software implementation, performance and robustness analysis, verification, and hardware-in-the-loop integration.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop guidance and control algorithms for New Glenn flight control
• Sequence mission activities and vehicle system commands
• Develop GN&C requirements with flow downs to subsystem and software levels, including companion verification methods
• Build guidance and control algorithms in Simulink to support auto-code generation to target
• Implement hand-coded flight software in C/C++ where appropriate
• Conduct stability and performance assessments including development of linear and nonlinear models
• Perform Monte Carlo simulation campaigns to characterize algorithm performance and robustness across dispersed environments
• Author and execute unit tests, ensure code coverage standards, and support formal verification activities
• Support hardware-in-the-loop integration and test campaigns
• Validate plant models and algorithm performance using test and flight data

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related engineering discipline
• 3+ years of experience in aerospace guidance and control or simulation
• Comfortable with algorithm design and analysis in MATLAB/Simulink
• Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related discipline
• Demonstrated knowledge in both classical and modern control design techniques
• Experience with C/C++ flight software development
• Experience with auto-code generation from Simulink models
• Monte Carlo analysis and statistical methods for performance and robustness characterization
• Experience supporting hardware-in-the-loop or flight test campaigns
• Python scripting for analysis, automation, or data processing
• Experience with plant model validation using test or flight data
• Familiarity with flight software verification processes (unit testing, code coverage, requirements traceability)

Base Pay Range For

WA applicants is $134,961.00 - $188,945.40

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 Affirmitive 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.