Lead Deep Space Autonomous Navigation Architect

Blue Origin; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a Principal Autonomous Navigation Engineer to lead onboard autonomous navigation capabilities for deep space missions. You will drive end-to-end architecture, integrate optical and radiometric data, and guide the ATX team across lunar and Mars programs.

You will mentor navigation engineers, coordinate with GNC, avionics, flight software, and systems engineering, and shape the long-term roadmap toward fully autonomous navigation in cislunar and interplanetary regimes.

Qualifications

• MS in Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years of proven experience in spacecraft navigation, orbit determination, or related astrodynamics.

Responsibilities

• Shape the Autonomous Navigation Architecture for onboard navigation and combined optical/radiometric sources.
• Lead development and integration of processing into onboard algorithms for deep space missions.
• Define long-range strategy for autonomy and drive implementation across the Blue Ring fleet.
• Support live ground navigation operations when required by missions.
• Execute ground-based navigation processing using radiometric and optical measurements.
• Collaborate with GNC, avionics, flight software, systems engineering, and operations teams.
• Provide mentorship to navigation engineers and establish best practices.
• Present results and support critical design reviews using Agile methodologies.

Skills

Autonomous navigation

Astrodynamics

Orbit determination

Ground-based navigation

Statistical orbit determination

Education

MS in Aerospace Engineering or related field

Job description

Blue Origin is seeking a Principal Autonomous Navigation Engineer to lead onboard autonomous navigation capabilities for deep space missions. You will drive end-to-end architecture, integrate optical and radiometric data, and guide the ATX team across lunar and Mars programs.

You will mentor navigation engineers, coordinate with GNC, avionics, flight software, and systems engineering, and shape the long-term roadmap toward fully autonomous navigation in cislunar and interplanetary regimes.