RPOD Design Engineer: Guidance & Navigation

Blue Origin; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 150,931 - 211,303; Full time

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a senior RPOD engineer in Colorado to define Rendezvous, Proximity Operations, and Docking concepts for lunar missions. You will lead analyses, develop navigation and guidance methods, and drive verification campaigns across multiple spacecraft platforms.

The role requires 7+ years in RPOD systems, strong astrodynamics knowledge, and hands-on embedded software experience in C++ or Rust. Onsite in Denver with a collaborative, safety-focused culture.

Qualifications

• B.S. in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering, computer science, physics or related technical subject area.
• Proven depth in 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 environments.
• Experience with Kalman filtering and computer vision.
• Experience with linear covariance methods and statistical analysis.
• Experience with mathematical modeling, simulation, and control algorithms.
• Experience with real-time embedded software development on spacecraft or launch vehicle flight systems in C++ or Rust.

Responsibilities

• Perform analyses and studies to determine trajectories, safety gates and corridors for RPOD operations.
• Coordinate and support development of RPOD concepts of operations for multiple Lunar missions and vehicles.
• Decompose RPOD requirements between GN&C, mechanical, comms, 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.
• Define and maintain data interfaces, optical interfaces, and/or mechanical interfaces between the elements during the RPOD process.

Skills

RPOD guidance/navigation/control

Kalman filtering

Computer vision

Real-time embedded software (C++/Rust)

Astrodynamics

Trajectory design

Flight software development

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or related field

M.S. or PhD in related field

Tools

Trick/JEOD/cFS

NASA NPR 7150.2D / DO-178C standards

Job description

Blue Origin is seeking a senior RPOD engineer in Colorado to define Rendezvous, Proximity Operations, and Docking concepts for lunar missions. You will lead analyses, develop navigation and guidance methods, and drive verification campaigns across multiple spacecraft platforms.

The role requires 7+ years in RPOD systems, strong astrodynamics knowledge, and hands-on embedded software experience in C++ or Rust. Onsite in Denver with a collaborative, safety-focused culture.