Lead Autonomous Deep-Space Navigation Architect

Blue Origin LLC; Littleton (CO); On-site; USD 173,000 - 243,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Stock options

Paid time off

Education Support Program

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a Principal Autonomous Navigation Engineer to define onboard autonomous navigation for cislunar and interplanetary missions. You will integrate optical and radiometric sources, drive the design from concept to flight, and work across GNC, avionics, and flight software teams to ensure end-to-end validation.

The role requires 10+ years in spacecraft navigation, strong astrodynamics foundations, and experience with STK/ODTK, FreeFlyer, GMAT, and programming in

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in a relevant engineering field.
• 10+ years of spacecraft navigation experience.
• Experience implementing orbit determination algorithms.
• Experience with optical navigation techniques and radiometric methods.

Responsibilities

• Define the end-to-end onboard autonomous navigation architecture.
• Integrate optical and radiometric measurements into onboard algorithms.
• Lead development and integration of navigation software across ground and spacecraft.
• Mentor navigation engineers and establish best practices.
• Collaborate with GNC, avionics, flight software, and systems engineering teams.
• Present results and support design reviews using Agile methodologies.

Skills

Orbit determination

Astrodynamics

Optical navigation

Python/Julia/C++

Navigation requirements

Communication skills

Security clearance eligibility

Team leadership

Education

MS in Aerospace Engineering

PhD in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

STK/ODTK

FreeFlyer

GMAT

Python

Julia

C++

Jira

Git

Jenkins

Docker

Job description

Blue Origin is seeking a Principal Autonomous Navigation Engineer to define onboard autonomous navigation for cislunar and interplanetary missions. You will integrate optical and radiometric sources, drive the design from concept to flight, and work across GNC, avionics, and flight software teams to ensure end-to-end validation.

The role requires 10+ years in spacecraft navigation, strong astrodynamics foundations, and experience with STK/ODTK, FreeFlyer, GMAT, and programming in