MK2 Crew Lander GN&C Flight Software Engineer - Sr

Blue Origin; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 182,000 - 254,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Stock options for regular employees

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a senior software engineer to join the GN&C team in the Lunar Permanence division. You will develop, integrate, test, and mature navigation, guidance, and control software for lunar landing capabilities, mentored by peers, and collaborating across avionics, embedded software, and hardware teams.

You will drive software architecture decisions, implement robust flight software, and contribute to safety-critical standards while maintaining high-quality test evidence for

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field.
• 8+ years of professional software engineering experience.
• Experience with C/C++ and Rust in embedded/real-time contexts.
• Experience with hardware integration and sensor interfaces.
• Experience designing software architectures, APIs, and testable systems.
• Strong software verification practices and CI pipelines.
• Ability to mentor engineers and work across teams.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or eligible under applicable status.

Responsibilities

• Partner with GN&C algorithm developers to transition prototypes into flight-quality software.
• Design, implement, and maintain GN&C flight software for the MK2 Crew Lander, focusing on navigation and computer vision capabilities.
• Collaborate with avionics, embedded software, payload, and flight hardware teams on interfaces and data handling.
• Develop hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop test capabilities for GN&C and VBN performance.
• Establish robust software engineering practices including automated builds, static analysis, testing, CI, and configuration control.
• Contribute to safety-critical and human-spaceflight software standards and verification planning.
• Mentor less experienced engineers in software design, debugging, and disciplined development.

Skills

C/C++

Rust

Embedded software

Real-time systems

Software architecture

Team mentorship

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/CE/Aerospace

Tools

cFS/cFE

Flight software frameworks

RTOS

Sensor drivers

Job description

Application close date:

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.

As part of a hardworking team of engineers, you will join our Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) team. You will share in the team's impact on Flight Software as you develop, integrate, test, and mature navigation, guidance, and control software. You will work at the intersection of GN&C algorithms, flight software, avionics hardware, camera and sensor systems, and mission operations to enable robust, safe, and certifiable lunar landing capabilities.

The role will focus on the software infrastructure and flight implementation needed to support solutions such as vision-based navigation (VBN), computer vision, sensor processing, and state estimation, as well as guidance and flight controls capabilities. The successful candidate will help establish reliable, scalable software patterns for deploying advanced GN&C capabilities from laboratory prototypes through integrated vehicle testing and flight readiness. This position is ideal for a senior software engineer who enjoys solving difficult software problems, improving engineering practices, and mentoring engineers in modern safety-critical software development.

The role is expected to independently drive software architecture and implementation decisions for assigned capabilities; identify and retire integration risks early; influence engineering standards and development practices; and deliver high-quality software and test evidence in support of vehicle milestones.

This role will not necessarily have direct people management responsibility, but will be expected to mentor teammates, lead technical discussions, and improve the software capabilities of the GN&C organization.

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

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Partner with GN&C algorithm developers to transition algorithms from prototype environments into performant, testable, and flight-appropriate software implementations.
• Design, implement, integrate, and maintain GN&C flight software for the MK2 Crew Lander, with emphasis on navigation and computer vision capabilities, including image pre-processing, plugin or modular algorithm architectures, camera interfaces, telemetry, command interfaces, and integration with core flight software.
• Work closely with avionics, embedded software, payload, and flight hardware teams to define camera, sensor, driver, API, communications, timing, synchronization, and data handling.
• Develop hardware-in-the-loop, software-in-the-loop, and laboratory test capabilities that support repeatable validation of GN&C and VBN performance across representative sensors, compute hardware, and mission scenarios.
• Establish robust flight software engineering practices, including automated builds, static analysis, unit and integration testing, code coverage, regression testing, fuzz testing, continuous integration pipelines, configuration control, and acceptance-test planning.
• Contribute to the maturation of software toward safety-critical and human-spaceflight standards, including requirements traceability, verification planning, fault handling, deterministic behavior, and clear interface definitions.
• Mentor and technically guide less experienced engineers in software design, debugging, code review, testing strategy, and disciplined development practices.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of professional software engineering experience, including substantial experience with embedded, real-time, robotics, aerospace, autonomous-system, or other high-reliability software.
• Experience developing production-quality software in C/C++ and Rust; ability to work effectively in mixed-language software environments.
• Experience integrating software with physical hardware, sensors, embedded compute systems, drivers, and communications interfaces.
• Demonstrated experience designing software architectures, APIs, modular interfaces, and testable systems for complex technical products.
• Strong understanding of software verification practices, including unit testing, integration testing, automated build and test pipelines, code review, debugging, and root-cause analysis.
• Ability to work effectively across algorithm, hardware, systems engineering, test, and software groups.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical decisions, risks, and tradeoffs to diverse engineering stakeholders.
• Ability to earn trust through hands-on technical contribution, constructive mentorship, and disciplined engineering execution.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with GN&C, navigation, state estimation, sensor fusion, visual odometry, computer vision, terrain relative navigation, robotics, or autonomous vehicles.
• Experience deploying computer vision or machine perception capabilities on embedded or flight-like computing hardware.
• Experience with cFS/cFE, flight software frameworks, real-time operating systems, or spacecraft avionics software.
• Experience developing camera drivers, image acquisition pipelines, camera calibration workflows, or time-synchronized multi-sensor systems.
• Familiarity with spacecraft flight software lifecycle practices, including requirements-based verification, qualification testing, safety-critical development, and mission assurance expectations.
• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop testing, simulation, test automation, or lab infrastructure development.
• Demonstrated use of C++ and Rust in embedded, systems, aerospace, or high-reliability applications.
• Familiarity with software security and robustness practices such as fuzz testing, memory-safety analysis, static analysis, dependency management, and secure build pipelines.
• Experience with lunar, planetary, spacecraft, or human-spaceflight programs.
• Experience serving as a senior technical mentor, technical lead, or engineering coach while remaining primarily hands-on.

Base Pay Range for:

CO applicants is $181,626.00 - $254,275.35 WA applicants is $197,529.00 - $276,539.55

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 affirmative 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 note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.