RPOD Design Engineer - Lunar Rendezvous & Docking

Blue Origin; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 164,652 - 230,512; Full time

Job summary

Blue Origin, based in Seattle, WA, is seeking an experienced RPOD systems engineer to define rendezvous, proximity operations and docking concepts for multiple lunar missions. You will decompose requirements, support GN&C analyses, and lead verification campaigns to ensure safe, reliable operations from architecture to flight.

The role demands strong background in astrodynamics, real-time embedded software, and a track record of leading RPOD activities across full lifecycle, including software

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level degree in a technical field or equivalent experience.
• Expertise in guidance, navigation, control, simulation or flight software required.
• Strong knowledge of astrodynamics and relative motion of space objects.
• 7+ years designing RPOD systems and executing integrated tests.
• Experience with Kalman filtering, CV, and RPOD operation concepts.
• Real-time embedded software development in C++ or Rust on spaceflight hardware.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; teamwork and safety culture.

Responsibilities

• Analyze trajectories, safety gates, corridors and RPOD requirements.
• Coordinate RPOD concepts of operations for lunar missions and vehicles.
• Decompose requirements across GN&C, mechanical, comms, docking targets, mission systems.
• Develop performance requirements for relative navigation sensors.
• Formulate navigation estimation methods and filtering techniques.
• Formulate maneuver guidance techniques.
• Define interfaces and states for RPOD elements.
• Lead RPOD verification and validation activities, including flight demos.
• Create fault detection capabilities and verify hardware/software builds.
• Develop tools/models to verify implementations; support integration/testing.
• Analyze test data, investigate root causes; drive efficiency in team operations.

Skills

Guidance

Navigation

Control

Simulation

Flight software

Kalman filtering

Computer vision

Real-time embedded software

C++/Rust

Astrodynamics

Education

B.S. degree or equivalent in aerospace/engineering/CS/physics

M.S./PhD preferred

Tools

C++

Rust

Trick/JEOD/cFS

Real-time software platforms

Job description

Blue Origin, based in Seattle, WA, is seeking an experienced RPOD systems engineer to define rendezvous, proximity operations and docking concepts for multiple lunar missions. You will decompose requirements, support GN&C analyses, and lead verification campaigns to ensure safe, reliable operations from architecture to flight.

The role demands strong background in astrodynamics, real-time embedded software, and a track record of leading RPOD activities across full lifecycle, including software