Senior Deep-Space Ground Navigation Engineer

Blue Origin; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Origin in Colorado is seeking a highly skilled navigation engineer to own substantial portions of the navigation process for a deep-space mission, spanning analysis, software development, and live flight operations. You will work within the ATX team on end-to-end trajectory design and navigation for missions to the Moon and Mars.

The role requires advanced degrees and experience in astrodynamics, orbit determination, and software development in Python, Julia, or C++.

Qualifications

• MS in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field with 5+ years of relevant experience, or a PhD with 3+ years of relevant experience.
• Strong working knowledge of astrodynamics, orbital mechanics, and statistical orbit determination and estimation theory, including batch least squares, sequential filtering, and covariance analysis.
• Proficiency in Python, Julia, or C++, with experience developing and testing analysis or operational software.
• Experience with orbit determination tools such as Monte, STK/ODTK, FreeFlyer, or GMAT.
• Experience supporting spacecraft mission operations, mission rehearsals, or comparable time-critical operational environments.

Responsibilities

• Own Lifecycle Navigation: Drive navigation through requirements definition, pre-launch orbit determination and covariance analysis, gated reviews, mission rehearsals, and flight operations.
• Perform Orbit Determination: Define filter strategies, estimated parameters, and tracking data requirements. Process Doppler, range, and Delta-DOR data to generate orbit solutions for cislunar and interplanetary spacecraft.
• Fly Deep Space Missions: Perform live navigation operations through launch, cruise, trajectory correction maneuvers, planetary approach, and orbit insertion.
• Develop Operational Navigation Software: Develop and test navigation algorithms and data processing tools in Python, Julia, C++, and Monte.
• Build and Validate Models: Define model-fidelity requirements, and develop and validate force models and measurement models.
• Drive Automation: Automate orbit determination, tracking data processing, and navigation product workflows including generative AI.
• Collaborate and Grow the Team: Work with ATX, flight operations, systems engineering, and external tracking-network partners.
• Deliver with Agile Discipline: Scope, estimate, and plan work in deliverable increments, using Jira and git.

Skills

Astrodynamics

Orbital mechanics

Orbit determination

Python

Julia

C++

Communication skills

US citizenship

TS/SCI clearance

Education

MS or PhD in Engineering

Tools

Monte toolkit

STK/ODTK

FreeFlyer

GMAT

Job description

Blue Origin in Colorado is seeking a highly skilled navigation engineer to own substantial portions of the navigation process for a deep-space mission, spanning analysis, software development, and live flight operations. You will work within the ATX team on end-to-end trajectory design and navigation for missions to the Moon and Mars.

The role requires advanced degrees and experience in astrodynamics, orbit determination, and software development in Python, Julia, or C++.