Senior Controls Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) with company match

Education support program

Stock options

Paid time off

Job summary

Blue Origin LLC seeks a senior Control Lead to develop and validate flight control systems for next‑gen vehicles. You will guide design, analysis, and verification of control laws for aerodynamic surfaces and flap actuation, with emphasis on safety and reliability in hypersonic reentry and transonic flight.

The role requires deep flight dynamics knowledge and strong mentoring of a GNC team. You will collaborate across disciplines to ensure seamless integration with the vehicle, and you will

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a technical field and 10+ years in flight control.
• Experience with flap actuation control and hypersonic/transonic dynamics.
• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink; strong leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead flight control system design and analysis for aerodynamic surfaces.
• Oversee flap actuation control models and simulations.
• Conduct trade studies for hypersonic reentry and transonic regimes.
• Lead V&V through simulation, HIL testing, and flight testing.
• Provide technical leadership to a GNC team.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams for system integration.
• Create design specs, test plans, and analysis reports.

Skills

Flight control systems

Leadership

Communication

Control theory

Education

Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field

PhD in related field (preferred)

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

C++

Python

Job description

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! The role is part of the In‑Space Systems business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on‑orbit. As a Control Lead, you will be at the forefront of developing and implementing advanced control systems for our next‑generation vehicles. You will lead the design, analysis, and verification of control systems, with a special focus on actuation control for reentry and transonic flight regimes. Your expertise will be critical in ensuring the safety, performance, and reliability of our vehicles. This is a senior‑level position that requires a deep understanding of flight dynamics, control theory, and a passion for pushing the boundaries of aerospace technology.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of flight control systems, including the design and analysis of control laws for aerodynamic surfaces.
• Oversee the development of models and simulations for flap actuation control systems.
• Conduct analysis and trade studies for vehicle performance in hypersonic reentry and transonic flight regimes.
• Lead the verification and validation of flight control systems through simulation, hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing, and flight testing.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to a team of GNC engineers.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure the successful integration of the flight control system with the overall vehicle.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, including design specifications, test plans, and analysis reports.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience in the design, development, and analysis of flight control systems.
• Demonstrated experience with flap actuation control systems.
• In-depth knowledge of hypersonic and transonic flight dynamics.
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Simulink, and other control system design and analysis tools.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.

Eligibility Criteria

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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a related field.
• Experience with the full lifecycle of flight control system development, from concept to flight.
• Hands‑on experience with hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing and flight test support.
• Experience with modern control techniques and their application to aerospace vehicles.
• Proficiency in C++ or Python.

Benefits

• 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.

Cultural 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.

Base Pay Range

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 VA applicants is $156,802.00 - $219,522.45 Other site ranges may differ

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

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.

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.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affinative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or 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.

Company Culture

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.