Rendezvous, Proximity Operations, and Docking (RPOD) Design Engineer – Lunar Permanence

Blue Origin; Merritt Island (FL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Origin seeks an experienced RPOD engineer to define Rendezvous, Proximity Operations and Docking concepts for lunar missions. You will develop navigation, GN&C analyses, and verification strategies, collaborating across hardware, software and mission teams to ensure safety and reliability of RPOD operations.

Ideal candidates have 7+ years in RPOD design with hands-on embedded software in C++ or Rust, strong astrodynamics knowledge, and a track record in high-fidelity test environments. U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Strong background in guidance, navigation, control, or flight software.
• Solid knowledge of astrodynamics and relative motion of space objects.
• 7+ years designing and implementing RPOD systems.

Responsibilities

• Analyze trajectories, safety gates, corridors, and RPOD operation requirements.
• Coordinate RPOD concepts of operations for multiple Lunar missions.
• Decompose RPOD requirements across GN&C, mechanical, and mission systems.
• Develop performance requirements for relative navigation sensors and software.
• Formulate navigation estimation methods and filtering techniques.
• Lead RPOD V&V activities including flight demonstrations.
• Create fault-detection capabilities and verification tools.
• Analyze ground and flight test data to identify root causes.

Skills

Guidance

Navigation

Control

Simulation

Flight software

C++

Rust

Real-time embedded

Astrodynamics

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering

Tools

C++

Rust

NASA NPR 7150.2D

DO-178C

Trick/JEOD/cFS

Job description

Application Close Date

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

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 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 a member of a dedicated spacecraft development engineering group, you will define the Rendezvous, Proximity Operations, and Docking (RPOD) operations concepts, identify functional and performance requirements on each of the flight elements, support integrated Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) analysis, and plan the verification and validation campaign that will ensure safe and reliable RPOD operations on multiple Lunar spacecraft. You will influence these systems by delivering high-quality engineering support through developing hardware and software solutions to complex RPOD navigation and guidance challenges. Your work will cover these systems throughout their entire lifecycle, including flight operations. You must be skilled at interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure accurate solutions align with manufacturing requirements and environmental constraints. Expertise in flight dynamics, RPOD guidance and navigation principles, and software engineering is essential. Experience in simulation, mathematical modeling, data analysis, and technical communication is preferred. Your contributions will advance the development of Blue Origin’s versatile spacecraft serving a variety of customers. On this program, you will engage in the full lifecycle from initial architecture to flight in a short time, while reaching historic breakthroughs! We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and dedication to quality to positively impact the safe human exploration of the solar system. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To

• Perform analyses and studies to determine trajectories, safety gates and corridors, and requirements for performing RPOD operations
• Coordinate and support development of complex RPOD concepts of operations for multiple Lunar missions and vehicles
• Decompose RPOD functional and performance requirements between GN&C, mechanical systems, communication systems, docking targets, and mission systems
• Support development of performance requirements for relative navigation sensor hardware and software designs
• Support mathematical formulation of navigation estimation methods and filtering techniques
• Support mathematical formulation of maneuver guidance techniques
• Define and maintain data interfaces, optical interfaces, and/or mechanical interfaces between the elements during the RPOD process
• Define and maintain element level states and modes in nominal and off-nominal conditions during the RPOD phase
• Determine and lead required RPOD V&V activities, including flight demonstrations
• Create essential fault detection hardware and software capabilities to satisfy mission requirements
• Develop analysis tools, models, and methods to verify implemented hardware and software builds meet requirements
• Support integration and testing of navigation and computer vision software components within vehicle production baselines
• Analyze of ground and flight test data and investigate root-causes
• Develop automation and tooling to improve the productivity of the team resources and drive efficiency into the team operations

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of a B.S. degree or equivalent experience in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, physics or related technical subject area
• Proven technical depth in one of the following areas: guidance, navigation, control, simulation, or flight software
• Strong fundamental knowledge in astrodynamics and relative motion of space objects
• 7+ years of demonstrated experience designing and implementing RPOD systems
• Experience planning and executing RPOD integrated tests in high-fidelity test environmentsExperience in developing RPOD concept of operations, and requirements definition and analysisExperience in analysis and design of RPOD trajectories and maneuver sequences
• Experience with methods and applications in Kalman Filtering and Computer Vision
• Experience with linear covariance methodology and statistical analysis
• Experience with mathematical modeling, simulation, and control algorithms.
• Demonstrated experience with real-time embedded software development on spacecraft or launch vehicle flight systems in C++ or Rust
• Highly organized team player with excellent technical written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of safety.

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. or PhD in subject fields
• 10+ years relevant experience with spacecraft RPOD full lifecycle activities from requirements development through spacecraft operations
• Industry technical experience with relative navigation systems in aerospace vehicles
• Experience with Rendezvous Proximity Operation and Docking, Terrain Relative Optical Navigation, or Vision Based Navigation algorithms and software
• Experience with optical sensors in space applications
• Experience in the integration of avionics hardware and software
• Experience in software development following NASA NPR 7150.2D or FAA DO-178C standards
• Experience with NASA software, simulation tools, and environments (Trick/JEOD/cFS)
• Experience with validation and verification approaches such as software unit testing, system simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing or coordinated subsystem testing
• Experience with full-lifecycle software development from requirements definition through deployment
• Experience in flow down of system requirements to the software component level

Base Pay Range For

CO applicants is $150,931.00 - $211,303.05 WA applicants is $164,652.00 - $230,512.80

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 in the job description, we’re 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,