Senior Avionics Software Engineer (Engines)

Blue Origin LLC; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 198,000 - 277,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid parental leave

Education support

Job summary

Blue Origin in Huntsville, AL seeks a Software Development Engineer L4 to build and verify real-time embedded software for rocket engines. You will own development from requirements to tests and contribute across the software lifecycle, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities include developing, testing, and validating embedded software, writing verifiable requirements, and ensuring safety-critical compliance with DO-178/NPR7150 standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, aerospace, or related field.
• 8+ years of hands-on experience developing and testing real-time embedded systems, including bare metal, RTOS, or Linux kernel experience.
• Experience writing software requirements.
• Experience Embedded Software Architecture and Design.
• Experience with C/C++ and Python.
• Strong debugging skills at the software/hardware boundary.
• Experience with Device Drivers.
• Experience with the SDLC.
• Experience with serial communications and networking protocols (TCP/IP).
• Experience designing robust APIs and interfaces.
• Experience with Verification & Validation.
• Experience with git, JIRA, Confluence.
• Experience with Agile methodologies.
• Experience with DO‑178 or NPR7150 NASA standards.
• Familiarity interfacing with sensors and actuators.

Responsibilities

• Develop and test real-time embedded software that controls rocket engines for human capable spacecraft.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and participate in all aspects of the software lifecycle.
• Develop verifiable requirements, define software architecture and design, write planning specifications, and assess software integration.

Skills

C/C++

Python

RTOS/Linux

Real-time embedded

Safety-critical design

DO-178/NPR7150

Git

JIRA

Confluence

Agile

Education

B.S. in Computer/Electrical/CS or related

Tools

Git

JIRA

Confluence

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 Blue Origin Engines business unit, where our focus is the design, development, manufacturing, and testing of engines and propulsion systems. Built for multiple uses, our family of engines is powering the next generation of rockets for commercial, civil, national security, and human spaceflight. As part of a small team, you will participate in the development and verification of avionics software components on Blue Origin rocket engines. You will share in the team’s impact on all aspects of re‑usable, safety-critical component development and delivery. This hands‑on position requires experience in developing, validating, and verifying safety embedded systems. Together, our teams deliver the embedded software that monitors and controls fully autonomous rocket engines. 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!

Responsibilities

As a Software Development Engineer L4, you will have hands on development responsibility to build and test real-time embedded software that controls rocket engines for human capable spacecraft. In this role, you will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and participate deeply in all aspects of software development lifecycle (including developing verifiable requirements, defining software architecture and design, writing planning specifications, assessing/defining software integration, developing code, writing unit tests, driving software integration, issue resolution and software maintenance).

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. degree or higher in computer engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, aerospace, or related field.
• 8+ years of hands‑on experience developing and testing real‑time embedded systems, including bare metal, RTOS, or Linux kernel experience (preferably some experience in requirements based, safety‑critical, fault‑tolerant systems).
• Experience writing software requirements.
• Experience Embedded Software Architecture and Design.
• Experience with C/C++ and Python.
• Strong debugging skills at the software/hardware boundary.
• Experience with Device Drivers.
• Experience with the SDLC.
• Experience with serial communications and networking protocols (TCP/IP).
• Experience designing robust APIs and interfaces.
• Experience with Verification & Validation.
• Experience with git, JIRA, Confluence.
• Experience with Agile methodologies.
• Experience with DO‑178 or NPR7150 NASA standards.
• Familiarity interfacing with sensors and actuators.
• Ability to learn fast, multitask and drive tasks to completion.
• Ability to present technical concepts to peers and leadership.
• Must have can do attitude and be problem solver.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with embedded avionics software or engine controller software for air‑breathing or rocket engines are pluses.
• Also, experience in design, development, and testing of safety‑critical software systems.
• Experience with Test & Integration.
• Ability to generate innovative reusable solutions.
• Familiarity with Rust.
• Experience with UML or similar

Base Pay Range for: WA applicants is $197,529.00 - $276,539.55 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, 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

• 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.

Affluent Action and Disability Accommodation Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s affirmative action plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and interview process, please contact us at [e-mail]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.

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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