Principal Avionics Hardware Engineer

Blue Origin LLC; Littleton (CO); On-site; USD 173,000 - 243,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Paid time off (vacation/sick)

Education Support Program

Job summary

Blue Origin LLC seeks a Principal Avionics Hardware Engineer to own the design, development, and testing of spacecraft avionics hardware from component to system level. You will prototype harnesses, build and test hardware, and work with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure integration and flight readiness.

The role emphasizes hands-on fabrication, lab work, and rigorous validation, with a focus on power systems, sensors, and radiation-hardening for space environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related field.
• 15+ years in avionics and power hardware for aerospace/defense/space.
• Hands-on design, build, and rework of wire harnesses and prototype electronics.
• Experience with space radiation design and effects on components.
• Experience with sensor types and analog/digital interfaces.
• Schematic capture and PCB layout tools such as Altium/Cadence.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test spacecraft avionics systems.
• Lead power systems design, generation, storage, regulation, distribution.
• Fabricate, assemble, and test hardware, wire harnesses, and sensors.
• Design for space environment with radiation hardening.
• Define and manage sensor requirements and interfaces.
• Collaborate with mechanical/thermal teams on layout and packaging.
• Develop schematics, PCB layouts, and circuit simulations.
• Create test plans and reports for hardware verification.

Skills

Hands-on engineering

Radiation-aware design

Sensor interfaces (IMU, star trackers)

Schematic capture/PCB layout

Circuit analysis (Worst Case, Derating

Altium/Cadence

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related

Tools

Altium Designer

Cadence

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. This role is part of Blue National Security (BNS), supporting Blue Origin’s mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. The team fosters innovation and drives engineering workflows of the future, shared solutions and standards, simplicity and lower costs, and manufacturable design. The Blue National Security (BNS) team is multidisciplinary, covering power systems, simulation and environments, thermal and fluids management, guidance, navigation, and control (GNC), autonomy, command and control, data handling and instrumentation, electrical integration and avionics, and propulsion. Working with this team to serve the various projects, studies, and programs in a rapid formulation design environment will be a key responsibility while contributing technically as an individual contributor sharing your expertise. This position will be as an active participant in this environment and requires the appropriate mindset of bias for action while quickly delivering results. The decisions made early on will set Blue Origin up for long-term success. It also requires a comfort with ambiguity and an ability to find a path forward. As a Principal Avionics Hardware Engineer for our spacecraft programs, you will be a key player in the entire lifecycle of our vehicle's electronic systems. This role is for a systems-thinking engineer who is also a hands-on builder and problem-solver. You will be responsible for designing, developing, and testing critical avionics hardware, from the component level to the integrated system. You will not just be designing on a screen; you will be in the lab prototyping, building harnesses, and testing the hardware you create. You will collaborate closely with a multi-disciplinary team of mechanical, thermal, software, and systems engineers to define vehicle architecture and ensure the successful integration of avionics into the overall system. If you are passionate about seeing your designs fly and are not afraid to get your hands dirty to make it happen, this is the role for you.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test spacecraft avionics systems
• Lead the design and analysis of vehicle power systems, including power generation, energy storage, regulation, and distribution architectures.
• Perform hands‑on fabrication, assembly, and testing of engineering-level hardware, including building and modifying wire harnesses, soldering components, and integrating sensor systems for rapid prototyping and troubleshooting.
• Design for the space environment, applying principles of radiation hardening (TID, SEE) to ensure system reliability.
• Perform analysis and select components to meet mission radiation requirements.
• Define and manage requirements for various sensors (e.g., IMUs, star trackers, magnetometers, pressure transducers, temperature sensors) and their corresponding electrical interfaces (e.g., analog, SPI, I2C, UART, RS-422, CAN, Ethernet).
• Collaborate with mechanical and thermal engineering teams to influence vehicle layout, packaging, connector selection, and overall system design to meet avionics requirements.
• Develop schematics, manage PCB layout, and perform simulations (SPICE) for critical circuits.
• Create comprehensive test plans, procedures, and reports for hardware verification and validation at the board, box, and system levels.
• Troubleshoot complex hardware issues across integrated systems and support vehicle-level testing and launch campaigns.
• Generate and maintain electrical power budgets encompassing all power consumption and generation/storage margin management by mission phase.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 15+ years of experience in avionics and power hardware development for aerospace, defense, automotive, or other high-reliability applications.
• Demonstrated experience as a hands‑on engineer, with direct experience designing, building, and reworking wire harnesses and prototype electronics.
• Understanding of common circuit analyses (Worst Case Circuit Analysis, Derating, Power Analysis, Timing, etc.).
• Strong understanding of designing for the space radiation environment and its effects on electronic components.
• Experience working with a variety of sensor types and their associated analog and digital interfaces.
• Experience with schematic capture and PCB layout tools such as Altium Designer or Cadence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Science in a related technical discipline.
• Experience with end‑to‑end development of avionics for a spaceflight mission.
• Experience with environmental testing (thermal, vacuum, vibration, shock) per standards like SMC‑S‑016 or MIL‑STD‑810.
• Proven experience in the design and analysis of power generation, energy storage, power electronics and power distribution systems (photovoltaics, DC/DC converters, battery systems, fault protection, etc.).
• Experience with high‑voltage power systems.
• Familiarity with systems engineering processes, including requirements management and verification.

Base Pay Range for

• CA applicants is $183,193.00 - $256,469.85
• CO applicants is $173,466.00 - $242,851.35
• WA applicants is $183,193.00 - $256,469.85
• VA applicants is $183,193.00 - $256,469.85
• 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 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 Affir…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. Thank you for your interest in working at Blue Origin! 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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