MK1 Lunar Lander Sr. Controls Engineer

Blue Origin; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 160,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation provided

Job summary

Blue Origin in Colorado is seeking an experienced GN&C/Flight Controls engineer to contribute to the MK1 Lunar Lander team. You will develop control laws, prototype algorithms, and run trade studies for spacecraft from Earth to the Moon in a rigorous, safety-first environment.

The role emphasizes collaboration with propulsion, structures, and mechanisms teams, plus testing in SIL/HIL setups. This position requires strong software development in Simulink, C/C++, and Python, along with extensive

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering or Physics with 12+ years of experience or M.S. with 10+ years of experience.
• Deep knowledge of astrodynamics, orbital mechanics, attitude kinematics and dynamics.
• Established background in GN&C algorithm development for flight and attitude control.
• Knowledgeable in frequency domain analysis techniques.
• Robust understanding of controller stability margins for spacecraft dynamics.

Responsibilities

• Develop and sustain flight control algorithms for spacecraft operating complex missions.
• Implement control algorithms and subsystem models in a 6-DOF Simulink environment using C/C++ and Python.
• Perform trade studies to mature spacecraft and mission designs.
• Collaborate with subsystems to ensure system-level design closure.
• Develop and maintain software for flight systems and simulations.
• Integrate and test software in SIL and HIL environments.
• Develop toolsets for automated requirements, configuration, and performance analyses.
• Support internal and external reviews with data products and reports.

Skills

Astrodynamics

Orbital mechanics

GN&C algorithms

Flight controls

Control theory

Verification & testing

Simulink

C/C++

Python

Gitlab

Confluence

JIRA

Education

Ph.D. in spacecraft guidance, trajectory optimization, or dynamics and controls

M.S. in Aerospace Engineering or Physics

B.S. in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Simulink

C/C++

Python

Trick/JEOD/cFS

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!

This role is part of the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin's Blue Moon landers and related products. To further Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.

This role is part of the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin's Blue Moon landers and related products. To further Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.

As part of a hardworking team of engineers, you will join our MK1 Lunar Lander Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) team with an emphasis on Flight Controls. You will share in the team's impact on all aspects of developing and testing control laws and flight software for spacecraft traveling from the Earth to the Moon! You will also prototype algorithms, conduct trade studies for control architectures, and perform linear stability analyses using classical and modern approaches. Expect to collaborate closely with other subsystems and spacecraft systems engineers to support the definition of subsystem boundaries, interfaces, and technical performance measures. In this capacity, you will be responsible for exemplifying proven practices, balanced technical judgment, and for demonstrating outstanding work ethic.

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact the safe exploration of the solar system. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Special Mentions

• Relocation provided

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop and sustain flight control algorithms for spacecraft operating complex missions

• Implement controls algorithms and subsystem component models in an integrated 6-DOF simulation environment using Simulink, C/C++, and Python

• Perform trade studies driving maturity of detailed spacecraft and mission design

• Collaborate with communication, propulsion, structures, fluids, and mechanisms subsystems to ensure system level design closure

• Develop and maintain software for flight systems and simulations

• Integrate and test software in SIL and HIL environments

• Develop toolsets for automated requirements, configuration, and performance analyses

• Support internal and external reviews with data products and reports

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering or Physics with 12+ years of experience or M.S. with 10+ years of experience

• Deep knowledge of astrodynamics, orbital mechanics, attitude kinematics and dynamics

• Established background in GN&C algorithm development specifically for flight and attitude control using classical and modern control methods

• Knowledgeable in frequency domain analysis techniques

• Robust understanding of controller stability derivatives and stability margins with respect to spacecraft dynamics, flexible body dynamics, and slosh dynamics

• Demonstrated experience with control law design for aerospace vehicles

• Prior hands-on experience in guidance algorithm design, review, and testing for aerospace vehicles, in addition to a primary background in flight controls

• Working knowledge of guidance algorithm fundamentals-such as trajectory generation, reference tracking, and powered-descent or ascent guidance-and their interaction with the control subsystem

• Demonstrated ability to review and verify guidance algorithm implementations against requirements and mission performance objectives

• Familiarity with development of requirements, interfaces, trades and analyses for aerospace GN&C applications

• Understand the relationship between attitude control, vehicle configuration, spacecraft dynamics, actuators, sensors, and automation

• Hands-on development with Simulink and C/C++

• Experience with collaboration tools such as Gitlab, Confluence, and JIRA

• Strong grasp of software and data configuration management techniques and tools

• Highly organized teammate with excellent technical written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and give to a culture of safety.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. focused on spacecraft guidance, trajectory optimization, or dynamics and controls

• Proven experience in development, implementation and testing of GN&C systems for aerospace vehicles

• Proven technical experience through the full lifecycle of system development

• Proficiency in various control methods such as PID, Phase-Plane, H-Infinity, Lead and Lag Compensators, Dynamic Inversion, etc.

• Experience developing and testing guidance algorithms for powered descent, landing, ascent, or orbital transfer phases

• Familiarity with trajectory optimization techniques and convex or nonlinear guidance formulations

• Experience integrating and validating coupled guidance-and-control algorithms in 6-DOF simulation environments

• Proven experience leading or supporting guidance algorithm design reviews and associated verification and test campaigns

• Experience designing flight control systems with reaction control systems (RCS), thrust vector control (TVC), or electric propulsion

• Experience providing GN&C support during on-orbit mission operations

• Experience synthesizing and evaluating Monte Carlo simulations, hardware-in-the-loop, and software-in-the-loop testing

• Experience with NASA software, simulation tools, and environments (Trick/JEOD/cFS)

• Experience with validation and verification approaches such as software unit testing, system simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing or coordinated subsystem testing

• Experience with full-lifecycle software development from requirements definition through deployment

Base Pay Range for: