Mission Systems Engineer

Blue Origin; Merritt Island (FL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation provided

Travel up to 25%

Top Secret clearance preferred

Job summary

Blue Origin seeks a Senior Mission Systems Engineer in Merritt Island to lead the development of mission systems for next‑gen space vehicles. You will define architectures, conduct trade studies, and ensure system integrity from concept through mission execution.

This mid‑career role requires strong leadership, excellent communication, and MBSE proficiency, with Python/MATLAB skills and proposal experience. Relocation and up to 25% travel are possible; Top Secret clearance is highly preferred.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Eng, Physics, or related field.
• 8+ years in systems engineering, mission design, or complex system development.
• Ability to lead technical projects with autonomy.
• Deep understanding of the systems engineering lifecycle.
• Proven experience leading trade studies and architecture of complex systems.
• Experience supporting capture and proposal efforts with technical content.
• Proficiency with Python or MATLAB.
• Experience with MBSE tools such as Cameo/SysML.
• Excellent communication across multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret clearance; TS preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support the formulation of new products, mission areas, and programs, translating customer needs into technical concepts.
• Contribute to capture and proposal activities, developing technical approaches and proposal content.
• Develop mission architectures, CONOPS, and end-to-end system designs for space applications.
• Decompose objectives into verifiable requirements with traceability.
• Execute trade studies to optimize performance, cost, and schedule; present to leadership.
• Define and manage system interfaces; lead interface control activities.
• Provide SE support to a multidisciplinary team for robust design.
• Oversee verification, validation, and test campaigns.
• Contribute to major design reviews and act as technical authority.

Skills

Technical leadership

Autonomy

Systems thinking

Trade studies

Communication

Proposal support

Python/MATLAB

MBSE (SysMLE/Cameo)

Education

Bachelor of Science in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering or Physics

Tools

Python

MATLAB

MBSE tools (Cameo/SysML)

DOORS Next Generation

Job description

Application Close Date

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

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!

The role is part of the In-Space Systems business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit.

This role is part of the Blue National Security (BNS) business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit.

As a Sr Mission Systems Engineer within the Mission Engineering & Architecture organization, you will take a role in the development and maturation of new and exciting business opportunities for Blue Origin. This mid-career opportunity is ideal for an experienced and proactive engineer ready to drive the technical development of complex space missions. You will support the formulation of new products, mission areas, and programs, and play a key role in capture and proposal efforts that shape Blue Origin’s future business. You will be instrumental in architecting and defining mission systems, leading critical trade studies, and ensuring the technical integrity of the system from concept through mission execution. You will be expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy and provide technical leadership to guide the project toward its objectives.

Special Mentions

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 25% of the time
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret U.S. security clearance. An active TS clearance is highly preferred.

Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To

• Support the formulation of new products, mission areas, and programs, helping translate emerging customer needs and market opportunities into compelling technical concepts.
• Contribute to capture and proposal activities for new business opportunities, including developing technical approaches, authoring proposal content, and supporting color team reviews.
• Contribute to the development of mission architectures, concepts of operations (CONOPS), and end-to-end system designs for novel space applications.
• Own the decomposition of mission objectives into verifiable system and subsystem requirements, ensuring traceability and clarity.
• Drive and execute complex trade studies to optimize system performance, cost, and schedule, and present findings to leadership to inform critical decisions.
• Define, manage, and control system interfaces, leading interface control working groups to ensure seamless integration across all vehicle and ground segments.
• Provide systems engineering support to a multidisciplinary team to ensure a cohesive and robust system design.
• Develop and oversee the execution of comprehensive verification, validation, and test campaigns.
• Contribute to major technical design reviews and serve as a key technical authority for the mission system.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in systems engineering, mission design, or complex system development.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects and operate with a high degree of autonomy.
• Deep understanding of the systems engineering lifecycle and best practices, from requirements definition through integration and test.
• Proven experience leading trade studies, performing analysis, and architecting complex systems.
• Experience supporting capture and proposal efforts for new business opportunities, including contributing technical content and solutions to winning pursuits.
• Proficiency with scripting and analysis using tools such as Python or MATLAB.
• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools such as Cameo/SysML.
• Exceptional communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to influence and guide multidisciplinary teams.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret U.S. security clearance. An active TS clearance is highly preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Science degree or higher in a relevant engineering or technical discipline.
• 12+ years of experience in the aerospace or defense industry.
• Direct experience leading the design and development of a space system through at least one major program lifecycle phase (e.g., SRR, PDR, CDR).
• Experience serving as a technical lead or capture lead on proposals for national security space or civil space customers, including shaping win strategies and authoring key proposal volumes.
• Familiarity with formulating new mission concepts and maturing them from early-stage ideas through customer engagement and program start.
• Expertise in orbital mechanics, mission design, and spacecraft subsystem performance analysis.
• Proficiency with requirements management and verification tools (e.g., DOORS Next Generation).
• Experience leading or managing an Integrated Product Team (IPT).
• Hands‑on experience with the integration, test, or operation of aerospace hardware and software.

Base Pay Range For

CA applicants is $156,802.00 - $219,522.45

CO applicants is $144,179.00 - $201,849.90

WA applicants is $156,802.00 - $219,522.45

VA applicants is $156,802.0 - $219,522.45

Other Site Ranges May Differ

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