Principal Autonomous Navigation Engineer

InvestedintheMission; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 173,466 - 242,851; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid Time Off up to four weeks

Job summary

Blue Origin in Reston, Virginia is seeking a Principal Autonomous Navigation Engineer to shape deep-space navigation systems for lunar and Mars missions. You will be the technical lead for developing autonomous navigation capabilities and mentor a team of engineers.

The ideal candidate has a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, over 10 years of relevant experience, and proficiency in navigation algorithms and programming languages like Python or C++. Benefits include comprehensive insurance, stock options, and generous paid time off.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of proven experience in spacecraft navigation or related astrodynamics disciplines.
• Experience developing and implementing orbit determination algorithms.
• Strong fundamentals in astrodynamics, orbital mechanics, and estimation theory.

Responsibilities

• Define the end-to-end architecture for onboard autonomous orbit determination.
• Lead the development and integration of optical and radiometric measurement processing.
• Define the long-range strategy for onboard navigation capability maturation.

Skills

Spacecraft navigation

Orbit determination

Optical navigation techniques

Radiometric navigation techniques

Python

C++

Education

M.S. in Aerospace Engineering or related fields

Tools

Monte

STK/ODTK

FreeFlyer

GMAT

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 are developing 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 focuses on space infrastructure and increasing mobility on‑orbit.

Lead the Next Generation of Deep Space Navigation

Blue National Security’s Blue Ring, a multi‑mission space vehicle, is designed to operate in cislunar, heliocentric, and interplanetary regimes—including missions around the Moon and Mars that will serve as critical infrastructure for humanity’s expansion into deep space. These missions demand navigation solutions that go far beyond traditional ground‑in‑the‑loop paradigms, operating with increasing autonomy across multiple dynamically complex environments.

As Principal Autonomous Navigation Engineer on the Astrodynamics and Trajectory eXecution (ATX) team, you will serve as the technical authority for developing autonomous onboard navigation capabilities that will define future deep‑space missions. While our vision is fully autonomous deep‑space navigation, near‑term missions will rely on robust ground‑based orbit determination. This role also requires subject‑matter expertise in ground‑based statistical orbit determination using radiometric measurements, which you will apply to operational missions while simultaneously leading the development of autonomous navigation systems for the future. You will integrate optical and radiometric techniques into a coherent autonomous navigation architecture spanning ground and spacecraft, driving design from concept through flight and shaping the algorithms, software, and operational processes that define Blue Origin’s deep‑space navigation philosophy.

This is a must‑have position for our lunar and Mars mission portfolio. You will set technical direction, mentor a growing team of navigation engineers, and directly enable mission success across Blue Origin’s most ambitious deep‑space programs.

Your Impact:

• Shape the Autonomous Navigation Architecture: Define the end‑to‑end architecture for onboard autonomous orbit determination, integrating optical and radiometric measurement sources into a coherent, flight‑ready navigation system for cislunar and interplanetary missions.
• Lead Deep Space Autonomous Navigation Development: Own the development and integration of optical and radiometric measurement processing into onboard algorithms for cislunar and interplanetary missions. Drive the technical roadmap from concept through flight implementation, defining the path toward fully autonomous deep‑space navigation.
• Roadmap the Path to Full Autonomy: Define the long‑range strategy for onboard navigation capability maturation—particularly for deep‑space regimes with limited ground contact—and drive its implementation across the Blue Ring fleet.
• Support Ground Navigation Operations: Contribute to live ground‑based orbit determination alongside the ATX team when operational missions require hands‑on navigation support.
• Execute Ground‑Based Navigation Processing: Apply your subject‑matter expertise in statistical orbit determination using radiometric and optical measurements to deliver navigation solutions for early lunar and Mars missions as Blue Origin’s autonomous capabilities mature.
• Collaborate Across Disciplines: Interface with GNC, avionics, flight software, systems engineering, and flight operations teams to ensure onboard navigation algorithms are properly integrated and validated end‑to‑end.
• Mentor and Lead: Provide technical leadership and mentorship to navigation engineers; establish best practices for algorithm development, testing, and verification.
• Deliver Excellence: Present results and support critical design reviews using Agile development methodologies.

Minimum Qualifications:

• M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fields.
• 10+ years of proven experience in spacecraft navigation, orbit determination, or related astrodynamics disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing orbit determination algorithms.
• Experience with optical navigation techniques (e.g., terrain‑relative navigation, star‑based navigation, landmark tracking).
• Experience with radiometric navigation techniques (Doppler, ranging, VLBI, or similar).
• Strong fundamentals in astrodynamics, orbital mechanics, and estimation theory.
• Applied experience in navigation tools such as Monte, STK/ODTK, FreeFlyer, or GMAT.
• Experience in at least one of the following: Python, Julia, or C++.
• Demonstrated ability to define navigation requirements.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fields.
• Experience with cislunar or interplanetary mission navigation.
• Experience developing or deploying autonomous/onboard navigation systems in flight.
• Experience with optical navigation in deep‑space proximity operations.
• Experience with GNC algorithm development and flight software integration.
• Experience with maneuver planning & execution.
• Experience with rendezvous & proximity operations.
• Experience leading a navigation team through design, development, and operational deployment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the mission design lifecycle from conceptualization through operational flight.
• Experience with DevOps processes, including configuration control, continuous integration/deployment, Agile methodologies, and code review.
• Previous experience with software development tooling such as Jira, git, Jenkins, Docker, and at least one IDE.
• Willingness or ability to acquire Active Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information security clearance with Single Scope Background Investigation, polygraph preferred.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long‑term disability, 401(k) with a company match up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.
• Stock options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours per week).
• Paid Time Off: Up to four 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 additional benefits and bonuses based on the company’s discretion.

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 workforce. 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 with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of protected characteristics. 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 [e-mail]. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin 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.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background Check.
• Required for certain job profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System background check when the role requires periodic presence on a military installation.
• Required for certain job profiles: Drivers who operate commercial motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 10,001 lbs or higher may be subject to additional federal motor carrier safety regulations, including driver qualification files, medical certification, road test, hours of service, drug and alcohol testing, vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements, and hazardous materials transportation training.
• Required for certain job profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain a Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre‑employment and random drug testing as well as a DOT physical.

Base Pay Range for CO applicants: $173,466.00 - $242,851.35.

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, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.