Senior Avionics Hardware Engineer - Lunar Permanence

Blue Origin LLC; Washington (Washington County); On-site; USD 157,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Parental leave

Education Support Program

Stock options

Job summary

Blue Origin LLC is seeking an Avionics Hardware Engineer to design, develop, and own digital, analog, and mixed-signal avionics hardware across the full product lifecycle. You’ll interact with sensors, electromechanical actuators, and flight interfaces while applying rigorous analysis, testing, and qualification practices.

The role emphasizes leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving to enable safe human spaceflight and reduce spaceflight costs, with a strong culture of safety and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Breadth of electronics hardware development experience in complex circuit cards or aerospace products.
• Experience with IR/visible image sensors, APDs, and lasers.
• Analog, digital or mixed-signal design, including testing and part selection.
• Knowledge of power, grounding, and signal integrity in board layouts.
• Understanding of radiation effects for space electronics and related design considerations.
• Ability to work hands-on across development and production lifecycles.
• U.S. citizen or eligible for U.S. employment.

Responsibilities

• Develop, lead, and own digital, analog, and mixed-signal avionics designs.
• Own avionics boards and hardware assemblies through lifecycle stages from concept to production.
• Support architecture trade studies, performance characterization, device selection, and roadmap direction.
• Contribute to FMECA, DFx, root-cause analysis, and safety initiatives.
• Communicate status, risks, and challenges to management.

Skills

Electronics hardware

Signal integrity

High-speed interfaces

GMSL

RS232/RS422/I2C/SPI/LVDS/Ethernet/PCIe

Radiation effects

Hands-on development

Communication with management

U.S. citizenship or eligible

FPGA programming

C/C++

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical or Computer Engineering

Master of Science in Electrical or Computer Engineering

Tools

FPGA programming

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! 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. The Lunar Transportation Business Unit is Blue Origin’s team dedicated to developing mission architectures, creating, and fostering new technologies into our existing offerings, building our next generation of leaders, and commercializing new platforms, such as our planned Lunar Lander program, Blue Moon (Link: https://www.blueorigin.com/blue-moon ), and other ambitious space destinations programs that fuel Blue Origin’s growth and further its mission. Our work scope is broad and deep, forging the path toward our vision of millions of people living and working in space. We're shaping our future in space, and we’re looking for dedicated and inspired people to join us! We are a diverse team of collaborators, doers, and problem-solvers who are relentlessly committed to a culture of safety. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable space flight. Join us in lowering the cost of access to space and enabling Blue Origin’s vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth. The Avionics Hardware Engineer scope includes every aspect of spacecraft electrical design from flight computing and networking to analog interfacing and power switching. We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required! Special Mentions Relocation provided Travel expected 25-50% of the time unless hired in Kent, WA Interviews will include a technical assessment.

Responsibilities

• Develop, lead, and own digital, analog, and mixed-signal circuit avionic designs that interact with avionics systems (including sensors and electromechanical/electrohydraulic actuators).
• Own these avionics boards, and the rugged electronic hardware assemblies across the entire product life cycle, from concept and requirements definition, design, analysis, prototyping, schematic capture, layout, design review, test/verification (power-on, functional / acceptance / qualification testing) and through release to production.
• Support avionics controller architecture trade studies, analyses, performance characterization and specification, device selection, and controller roadmap direction.
• Support controller risk analyses, failure modes effects and criticality analyses (FMECA), design for test/manufacture/cost (DFx), and root-cause analysis of test discrepancies.
• Participate in program level technology development, mission assurance and safety initiatives, and avionics development process improvements.
• Effectively communicate development status, risks, and challenges to management.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related disciplines
• A breadth of understanding in electronics hardware development such as developing complex circuit cards, consumer electronics, wireless devices, or other advanced electronic commercial or aerospace products
• Experience with designs featuring IR and visible spectrum image sensors, avalanche photo-diodes and lasers.
• Experience with analog, digital or mixed-signal circuit design, including analysis, simulation, test, troubleshooting, and part selection
• Knowledge of signal integrity, power, grounding, and general board layout principles
• Familiar with many of the following parts and their usage: microcontrollers, processors, FPGAs, ADCs, DACs, OpAmps, power supplies (linear, LDO, DC/DC), volatile memory (DDR), non-volatile memory (NAND, NOR, etc.), and MOSFETs
• Knowledge of high-speed communication data interfaces such as GMSL
• Knowledge of other common communication methods, such as RS232, RS422, I2C, SPI, LVDS, Ethernet, CAN, or PCIe
• Knowledge of radiation effects on electronics and how to apply this to designs targeting space applications
• Desire to work hands-on, both independently and as part of a team, throughout the development and production phases of the electronic assembly product lifecycle
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and supply to a culture of collaboration
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Science in Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related disciplines
• Successful Candidates typically have 10+ years of experience (8+ years with Masters) in design, development, test, and operation of vehicle Avionics systems
• Experience with launch vehicle Avionics systems hardware development, integration, and test
• Experience with FPGA programming
• Demonstrated experience designing high reliability safety-critical, Class 2/3 board assemblies; familiarity with IPC-A-600/610, DO-254 and similar standards
• Scripting, Programming and Analysis: TCL, Python, Linux shell and Windows batch scripting; C / C++; MATLAB / Simulink, HSPICE and HFSS (or similar modeling/analysis tools)

Base Pay Range for:

• CA applicants is $156,802.00 - $219,522.45
• CO applicants is $144,179.00 - $201,849.90
• WA applicants is $156,802.00 - $219,522.45
• 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.

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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