Mission Systems Engineer III (TS/SCI Required)

Blue Origin; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 168,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented In

Job summary

Blue Origin in Denver seeks a Mission Systems Engineer to drive requirements for ground and spaceflight systems and oversee the full lifecycle from design to operations.

You will collaborate with teams across flight vehicle, ground software, and payload customers, conducting testing, integration, and validation to ensure safe, reliable spaceflight. Relocation assistance provided; Top Secret clearance highly preferred.

Qualifications

• BS in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering, CS, physics or related field.
• 5+ years in ground systems, software (Python), spacecraft operations, or CCSDS.
• Experience across the full system lifecycle: requirements through operations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to work in a fast-paced team.
• Active Top Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Identify, derive, develop, and maintain mission systems requirements with verification approach.
• Collaborate with flight vehicle, ground software, flight control, and payload teams.
• Define ground system and data communications architectures for real-time operation.
• Define and maintain ground element interface requirements and control documents.
• Plan and perform frequent mission system updates, integration, tests, and training events.
• Test ground system functionality and measure performance.
• Integrate flight software with ground systems and perform testing.
• Analyze operability across Space-Ground System and improve where justified.

Skills

Ground Systems architecture

Software development

Python

Spacecraft operations

CCSDS protocols

Team collaboration

Education

B.S. in aerospace engineering or related technical field

Tools

DOORS Next Generation

Confluence

JIRA

Git

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!

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.

Join us in lowering the cost of access to space and enabling Blue Origin's vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth! This position reports to the Ground & Spaceflight Operations in Blue Origin's Blue Ring business unit.

As part of a small, hardworking, and accomplished team of Mission Systems Engineers, you will work closely with space vehicle, mission operations, and ground system teams, supporting ground development tasks throughout the full system lifecycle. You will share in the team's impact on all aspects of mission systems engineering, and tools used to operate advanced spaceflight vehicles.

You will enjoy a fast‑paced dynamic environment, contributing innovative solutions, while demonstrating personal leadership, technical competence, and attention to detail. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your dedicated commitment and detailed attention towards safe and reliable spaceflight.

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and dedication to quality to positively impact safe spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Special Mentions:

• Relocation assistance provided
• Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information required to start

Responsibilities:

• Identify, derive, develop, and maintain Mission Systems requirements, including traceability and verification and validation approach, necessary to implement a design that meets objectives.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including engineers representing flight vehicle systems, ground software, flight control operators, and payload customers.
• Define the ground system and data communications architectures and designs that enable highly effective and labor‑efficient real‑time spacecraft and ground system operation.
• Define and maintain ground element interface requirements and control documents.
• Plan and perform frequent mission system product update cycles, integration and test activities, and validation exercises leading to operations training events and flight.
• Conduct testing of ground system functionality and measure performance.
• Perform flight software to ground systems integration and test.
• Perform analysis to ensure operability across the Space‑Ground System, and support efforts to improve operability where justified.

Qualifications:

• B.S. in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, physics or related technical field
• 5+ years of experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Ground Systems architecture in the context of spaceflight operations
  • Software development, particularly Python
  • Spacecraft operations: command & control, mission planning, flight dynamics
  • Implementing CCSDS communications protocols and standards
• Experience in a complex system lifecycle - requirement definition, design solution definition, implementation, integration, verification, validation, qualification, and operations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast paced, dynamic work environment
• Active Top Secret Clearance

Desired (but not required):

• Experience with requirements management and traceability, preferably using DOORS Next Generation.
• Experience conducting end‑to‑end testing of large, complex systems.
• Experience designing RF communications, developing link budgets.
• Experience designing or operating spacecraft instruments and payloads.
• Experience developing, deploying, and maintaining software in a cloud computing environment, such as AWS or Azure.
• Experience with collaboration tools such as Confluence and JIRA.
• Familiarity with version control, preferably Git.
• Experience with configuration and product data management tools.

Base Pay Range for:

VA applicants is $130,706.00 - $182,987.70CO applicants is $119,814.00 - $167,738.55

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 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 Affective Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us [e-mail]. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.