Payload Operations Engineer III (TS/SCI Required)

Blue Origin LLC; United States; On-site; USD 131,000 - 183,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Stock options

Paid time off

Job summary

Blue Origin LLC is seeking a Payload Operations Engineer for Blue Ring to ensure mission readiness and develop hosted and separable payload concepts in collaboration with space/ground teams.

The role emphasizes real-time operations, procedures, and operational readiness, with on-console shifts and close coordination with customers and government teams in a dynamic test and deployment environment.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in spacecraft operations development or execution.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.
• Experience developing spacecraft or hosted payload operations products.
• Experience supporting external customers or government teams.
• Ability to support on-console activities including shift work.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of hosted and separable payload mission plans, operations concepts, tools, and processes that enable highly effective real-time operations.
• Develop and implement detailed spacecraft payload operations procedures, executables, telemetry displays, and other technical documentation.
• Conduct testing and validation of payload operations products using a variety of hardware and software simulation environments.
• Support mission planning efforts with geographically separated payload teams to ensure operational objectives are met during on-orbit operations.
• Support the development of the overall spacecraft concept of operations, ensuring payload operability and efficiency.
• Create detailed test procedures alongside systems engineering teams to validate end-to-end ground to payload system capabilities.
• Support mission readiness activities including mission rehearsals, timeline development, and post-launch test planning.
• Monitor payload state-of-health, perform trending and analysis on performance data, and track system configurations throughout on-orbit execution.
• Serve as liaison between payload customers and Blue Ring operations team during pre-launch coordination as well as during long-term operations.
• Support development of payload operations sequencing and incorporation into the mission planning system.

Skills

On-console operations

Customer-focused ops

Education

B.S. in Aerospace Engineering

MS in Space Systems

Tools

Python

SPELL

STOL

JAS

Ground Software

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. 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 Blue National Security (BNS) Business Unit, which is focused on delivering resilient, mission‑critical space capabilities, including Blue Ring, to support national defense and objectives. With Blue Ring, our customers are empowered to achieve operational advantage across cislunar and Earth orbit domains, redefine mission flexibility, and pursue bold new concepts that were once beyond reach. As a Payload Operations Engineer supporting Blue Ring, you will ensure mission readiness by contributing to the development of hosted and separable payload‑specific operational concepts, preparing essential operations products, and serving as a key member of the on‑console team during mission execution. You will collaborate extensively with engineers from across the space and ground segments to ensure payload operations and the associated mission planning are successfully performed on orbit. The ideal candidate is a systems‑thinker with a strong focus on customer experience, possessing the persistence and passion to build and execute space operations from the ground up. Join us in enabling Blue Origin’s vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth — passion for our mission is required!

Special Mentions

This role requires occasional periods of shift work and on‑call availability during mission‑critical phases, anomaly resolution, and key customer milestones.

Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To:

• Contribute to the development of hosted and separable payload mission plans, operations concepts, tools, and processes that enable highly effective real‑time operations.
• Develop and implement detailed spacecraft payload operations procedures, executables, telemetry displays, and other technical documentation.
• Conduct testing and validation of payload operations products using a variety of hardware and software simulation environments.
• Support mission planning efforts with geographically separated payload teams to ensure operational objectives are met during on‑orbit operations.
• Support the development of the overall spacecraft concept of operations, ensuring payload operability and efficiency.
• Create detailed test procedures alongside of systems engineering teams to validate end‑to‑end ground to payload system capabilities.
• Support mission readiness activities including mission rehearsals, timeline development, and post‑launch test planning.
• Monitor payload state‑of‑health, perform trending and analysis on performance data, and track system configurations throughout on‑orbit execution.
• Serve as liaison between payload customers and Blue Ring operations team during pre‑launch coordination as well as during long‑term operations.
• Support development of payload operations sequencing and incorporation into the mission planning system.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of proven experience in spacecraft operations development or execution.
• Must have an active Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) U.S. Government security clearance.
• Experience developing spacecraft or hosted payload operations products, such as procedures, telemetry displays, or technical documents.
• Experience with supporting external customers or government teams.
• Ability to support on‑console activities, including shift work, in a dynamic, real‑time environment.
• 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

• M.S. in Space Systems, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Aerospace Engineering.
• Direct support for a commercial or government spacecraft operations organization.
• Proficiency with command‑and‑control scripting languages, such as Python, SPELL, STOL, or JAS.
• Experience working with virtualized Ground Software (e.g., Command & Control, Mission Planning, Flight Dynamics, Electronic Procedures).
• Experience with mission planning and contact planning tools.
• Experience with satellite fault management and/or onboard autonomy.
• Familiarity with designing and evaluating operational readiness tests integrated with hardware‑in‑the‑loop and software‑in‑the‑loop simulators.

Base Pay Range for: WA applicants is $130,706.00 - $182,987.70 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.

Benefits

• 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.

Affiliation and Disability Accommodation Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affiliation Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at [e-mail]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.

We’re committed to building the road to space so our children can build the future. We are a mission‑driven company focused on ideas and innovation, and encourage fresh perspectives from bold voices. At Blue, our team is building the future as their unique selves.

Blue Origin was founded with a vision to enable a future where millions of people are living and working in space to benefit Earth.

In order to preserve Earth, Blue Origin believes in the need to enable humanity to expand, explore, find new energy and material resources, and move industries that stress Earth into space.

Blue Origin believes it has an important role in building a road to space and lowering the cost of getting there.

At Blue Origin, we’re working on this today by developing fully reusable launch vehicles and systems that are safe, reliable and affordable.

Every launch vehicle is designed for human spaceflight from the beginning and able to ferry payloads to space.

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