Mk1 Mission CONOPS Lead

Blue Origin; Florida; On-site; USD 145,000 - 203,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a Mission Lead to own the end‑to‑end CONOPS for the MK1‑102 mission, spanning launch to surface operations. You will lead validation through analyses, simulations, and tests, and manage timelines, constraints, and margins with close collaboration across Mission Ops, FEEs, and autonomy teams.

The role requires leadership, strong communication, and deep experience with space mission CONOPS, MBSE tools, and lunar/cryogenic flight programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in a relevant technical field and strong space mission CONOPS experience.
• 6+ years for Senior level; equivalent depth at L3/L4/Principal considered.
• Experience defining and validating space mission CONOPS across phases.
• Knowledge of staging behavior and lunar mission dynamics (transit, orbit, descent, surface).
• Proven leadership and interpersonal skills to align multiple teams.
• Ability to define technical resource margins and manage risk.
• MS or higher in a relevant engineering/physics discipline preferred.
• Direct experience on lunar or cryogenic flight programs preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own end‑to‑end definition of the MK1‑102 mission CONOPS across all phases.
• Lead CONOPS validation through analysis, simulation, and test with traceability to requirements.
• Define and manage mission timelines, constraints, and margin resources.
• Own Mission L2 requirements and the mission level success tree.
• Take ownership of the MK1 Mission Model and guide future development.
• Identify, characterize, and drive closure of mission‑level risks.
• Lead trade studies in support of the Lead Systems Engineer.
• Collaborate with Mission Operations and Autonomy/Performance engineers to stay aligned.
• Support gated reviews with authoritative mission‑level technical input.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Risk management

Mission operations

CONOPS definition

Education

B.S. in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical/Systems Engineering or Physics

M.S. or higher in relevant engineering or physics

Tools

MBSE tools

Job description

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.

At Blue Origin, we are building a road to space so our children can build the future. The Lunar Permanence team is delivering the Blue Moon Mark 1 (MK1) lander — a single‑launch, cryogenically‑fueled vehicle capable of delivering large payloads to the lunar surface. MK1-102 is the mission that will deliver NASA’s VIPER rover to the lunar South Pole region.

We are looking for a Mission Lead to own theend‑to‑end definition and validation of the MK1-102 mission Concept of Operations (CONOPS)across all mission phases — from launch and cruise through lunar transit, descent and landing, and surface delivery operations. The Mission Lead works closely with Lead Systems Engineers, Mission Operations, and Functional/Performance Responsible Engineers to define mission activities, develop detailed timelines, run trade studies, define mission constraints, mitigate risks, and facilitating test plans and analysis scenarios. You will use in‑house Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and performance analysis tools to assess the CONOPS and performance margins on a technical level.

Responsibilities

• Own the end‑to‑end definition of the MK1-102 mission CONOPS across all phases (launch, cruise/transit, lunar orbit operations, powered descent & landing, and surface operations)
• Lead validation of the CONOPS through analysis, simulation, and test, ensuring operational scenarios are feasible, verifiable, and traceable to mission requirements.
• Define and manage mission timelines, operational constraints, and technical resource margins (e.g., propellant/cryogenic boil‑off, power, thermal, comms windows, timeline slack) across all phases.
• Owner of Mission L2 requirement and mission level success tree.
• Take ownership of the MK1 Mission Model; working closely with modeling lead to guide further development of the modelling capability across the program.
• Identify, characterize, and drive closure of mission‑level risks, including phase transitions and critical events (e.g., RPOD, landing).
• Define, inform, and selectively lead trade studies in support of the Lead Systems Engineer, framing alternatives, criteria, and recommendations, as they apply to the CONOPS.
• Partner closely with Mission Operations and Functional/Performance/Autonomy Responsible Engineers to ensure the as‑designed mission and the as‑operated mission stay aligned.
• Support gated and operational‑readiness reviews (e.g., Mission Operations Review, Operations Readiness Review, Flight Readiness Review) with authoritative mission‑level technical input.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
• 6+ years of relevant experience for the Senior level; equivalent depth at L3, L4 or Principal will be evaluated accordingly.
• Demonstrated experience defining and/or validating space mission CONOPS across multiple mission phases.
• Working knowledge of staging behavior and lunar mission dynamics (transit, orbit, descent/landing, surface operations).
• Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal/communication skills — able to align Mission Ops, REs, and the Lead SE around a common mission definition.
• Ability to define technical resource margins and lead/own technical risk.

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. or higher in a relevant engineering or physics discipline.
• Direct experience on a lunar or cryogenic flight program (lander, upper stage, or in‑space cryogenic system).
• Hands‑on experience withmodel‑based systems engineering (MBSE) tools and methods.
• Experience building and championing adoption of an MBSE/mission‑model toolset within an organization.
• Experience leading trade studies and supporting a Lead Systems Engineer or Chief Engineer.
• Familiarity with NASA mission integration and payload‑delivery interfaces (e.g., CLPS‑class / VIPER‑class payloads).

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $145,188.00 - $203,263.20

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