Lead Autonomous Deep-Space Navigation Engineer

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

Job summary

Blue Origin LLC seeks a Principal Autonomous Navigation Engineer to shape onboard autonomous navigation for cislunar and interplanetary missions. You will lead development of optical and radiometric processing, define end-to-end navigation, and drive a roadmap for full autonomy while coordinating with GNC, avionics, and flight software teams.

The role includes mentoring engineers, delivering results for lunar and Mars programs, and contributing to live ground and flight navigation operations as

Qualifications

• MS in Aerospace Engineering or related field required.
• 10+ years in spacecraft navigation/astrodynamics.
• Experience developing orbit determination algorithms and autonomous navigation.
• Proficiency with optical navigation techniques (camera calibration, star-based navigation, terrain-relative nav).

Responsibilities

• Define onboard autonomous navigation architecture for cislunar/interplanetary missions.
• Lead integration of optical and radiometric processing into onboard algorithms.
• Drive roadmap for deep space navigation capability maturation.
• Collaborate with GNC, avionics, flight software, and systems engineering teams.
• Mentor navigation engineers and enforce best practices in development and testing.

Skills

Orbit determination algorithms

Estimation theory

Optical navigation techniques

Python

C++

Monte Carlo

STK/ODTK

GMAT

Monte Carlo methods

Education

MS in Aerospace Engineering

PhD in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

STK/ODTK

GMAT

FreeFlyer

Jira

Git

Docker

Job description

Blue Origin LLC seeks a Principal Autonomous Navigation Engineer to shape onboard autonomous navigation for cislunar and interplanetary missions. You will lead development of optical and radiometric processing, define end-to-end navigation, and drive a roadmap for full autonomy while coordinating with GNC, avionics, and flight software teams.

The role includes mentoring engineers, delivering results for lunar and Mars programs, and contributing to live ground and flight navigation operations as