New Glenn - Principal Software Engineer

Blue Origin LLC; United States; On-site; USD 231,000 - 323,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Stock options

Paid time off

Education support program

Job summary

Blue Origin LLC is hiring a Principal Software Engineer to lead the DESA team's technical strategy for New Glenn, guiding software and systems across design, test, and flight operations. You will present to senior leaders and mentor engineers, driving a roadmap that reduces risk and enables high-rate production of spaceflight software.

The role requires 10+ years in production software and strong skills in Java, C++, and AWS services, with a passion for aerospace and the mission of Blue Origin.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in CS/Software Eng or related.
• 10+ years of production software experience.
• 7+ years building distributed backend systems on AWS.
• Proficiency in Java, C++, C#, Python, and JavaScript.
• Strong written and verbal communication with leadership.
• Experience mentoring engineers and presenting to senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical strategy across multiple domains (design, test, flight ops).
• Present complex technical plans to senior leadership including executives.
• Collaborate to architect and execute a bold technical roadmap.
• Identify and apply AI to improve user experiences and efficiency.
• Promote CI/CD, modular architectures, and robust testing.
• Mentor developers up to Senior SDE level; drive design reviews.

Skills

Distributed backend systems

Java

C++

C#

Python

JavaScript

Communication skills

Mentoring

Leadership presentation

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering

Tools

AWS

DynamoDB

RDS

SQS

SNS

React

GraphQL

REST APIs

DataBricks

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 supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a single-configuration, heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to low-Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar, and beyond. Its first stage is fully reusable, and the vehicle was designed from the beginning to be human-capable. We are seeking an exceptionally talented and experienced Principal Software Engineer to lead the technical strategy for New Glenn’s Data Engineering, Software, and Automation (DESA) team. This dynamic org is responsible for ensuring New Glenn has the software applications required to design, produce, and operate New Glenn launch vehicles at rate. This includes direct ownership of two systems engineering platforms and indirect advisement on enterprise technology strategy. These systems are used daily by thousands of users and are essential to our ambitious business goals. Join us as a leader in Blue’s orbital launch vehicle organization.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead technical strategy and vision across multiple domains, including design, test, systems engineering, and flight operations.
• Present complex technical strategies to senior leadership, including Senior Vice Presidents and potentially the CEO.
• Collaborate with other engineers and organization leaders (enterprise technology, central engineering) to architect, design, and execute our ambitious technical roadmap.
• Identify and implement novel applications of AI to enhance user experiences and software development efficiency.
• Utilize a diverse range of technologies such as DynamoDB, RDS, SQS, SNS, React, Java, DataBricks, GraphQL, REST APIs, etc.
• Promote software best practices across the entire organization including CI/CD, modular architectures, comprehensive testing, scalable systems, etc.
• Champion operational excellence by reducing technical debt, maintaining low ticket counts, ensuring high availability, minimizing mean time to recovery, and implementing extensive monitoring and alarms.
• Lead technical design reviews across the organization.
• Extensively mentor software developers up to the Senior SDE level.
• This role does not have any direct reports.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience writing and deploying software in production environments.
• 7+ years of experience developing distributed backend systems and utilizing cloud services such as AWS.
• Extensive experience with both typed languages (e.g., Java, C++, C#) and untyped languages (e.g., Python, JavaScript).
• Proven ability to solve complex, ambiguous problems in unfamiliar domains.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience presenting to senior leadership, at or above the Vice President level.
• Deep understanding of computer science fundamentals such as algorithms and data structures.
• Strong independence and the ability to resolve issues with minimal involvement by your manager.
• Experience mentoring software engineers in team settings.
• A strong passion for aerospace and Blue Origin’s mission.
• 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

• 15+ years of experience writing and deploying software in production environments.
• Experience in manufacturing, supply chain and/or aerospace.

Base Pay Range for: WA applicants is $230,773.00 - $323,081.85 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 foster 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.

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