Senior Deep-Space Trajectory Engineer

Blue Origin; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 131,000 - 183,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Blue Origin in Reston, VA is seeking a senior Astrodynamics and Trajectory Execution specialist to own mission design from analysis to live flight operations. You will develop high- and low-thrust trajectories, manage delta-V budgets, and drive automation for mission design workflows.

The role includes collaboration across ATX teams and mentoring junior designers. You will work in a fast-paced, safety-conscious environment supporting deep-space missions, with opportunities to shape mission

Qualifications

• M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field with 5+ years of relevant experience, or a Ph.D. with 3+ years of relevant experience.
• Strong working knowledge of astrodynamics and orbital mechanics, with experience designing spacecraft trajectories and high-thrust maneuvers.
• Proficiency in Python, Julia, or C++, with experience developing and testing analysis or operational software.
• Applied experience with trajectory design tools such as Monte, Copernicus, EMTG, FreeFlyer, GMAT, or STK/Astrogator.
• Experience supporting spacecraft mission operations, mission rehearsals, or comparable time-critical operational environments.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, scope ambiguous technical problems, and deliver results with minimal oversight.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presenting technical results in design reviews and authoring technical documentation.
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Responsibilities

• Own Lifecycle Mission Design: Drive mission design through mission-level requirements, gated reviews, mission rehearsals, and flight operations.
• Design and Optimize Trajectories: Create high-thrust and low-thrust trajectories, lunar transfers, interplanetary cruises, and multi-body orbits.
• Fly Deep Space Missions: Design maneuvers from launch through end of mission and support live operations.
• Define Launch Periods and Timelines: Determine launch windows and daily launch targets.
• Own Delta-V Budgets and Mission Performance: Manage delta-v allocations across phases and support performance analyses.
• Develop Maneuver Algorithms and Tools: Develop trajectory and maneuver algorithms in Python, Julia, and Monte; integrate into flight dynamics system.
• Drive Automation: Automate trajectory design and analysis workflows incl. generative AI.
• Collaborate and Grow the Team: Work with ATX, propulsion, systems engineering, flight operations; mentor juniors.
• Deliver with Agile Discipline: Plan work in deliverable increments using Jira and git.

Job description

Blue Origin in Reston, VA is seeking a senior Astrodynamics and Trajectory Execution specialist to own mission design from analysis to live flight operations. You will develop high- and low-thrust trajectories, manage delta-V budgets, and drive automation for mission design workflows.

The role includes collaboration across ATX teams and mentoring junior designers. You will work in a fast-paced, safety-conscious environment supporting deep-space missions, with opportunities to shape mission