Senior Manager Avionics Hardware Design

Blue Origin; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 184,000 - 257,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Parental leave

Disability insurance

401(k) with company match

Education Support Program

Stock options

Paid time off

Holidays

Job summary

Blue Origin in Seattle, WA is seeking an experienced avionics engineering leader to direct hardware development for the New Glenn avionics suite. You will own the analog and digital boards from requirements through qualification, and provide technical direction to a multi-disciplinary team in a fast-paced spaceflight program.

The role combines hands-on design oversight with team development, risk management, and process improvement, with a strong emphasis on safety and mission success.

Qualifications

• BS in electrical engineering, computer engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related field; 10+ years developing electronic systems including avionics or embedded hardware.
• 2+ years of project management or people management experience.
• Working knowledge across the development lifecycle: requirements negotiation, design, analysis, verification, and vehicle integration.
• Track record of leading teams that delivered complex, safety-critical avionics hardware on tight timelines.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to work effectively at every level of the organization.

Responsibilities

• Own delivery of the analog and digital boards in the New Glenn avionics suite — power electronics, compute, networking, antennas, sensors, and actuators — from requirements through qualification.
• Provide technical direction to the team and own the quality of its engineering outputs.
• Develop processes that improve efficiency and quality.
• Identify and manage technical, cost and schedule, asset, and safety risks and opportunities, documenting them and driving mitigation with leadership.
• Participate in program-level technology development, mission assurance and safety initiatives, and avionics process improvement.
• Own the full employee lifecycle for your team: hiring, development, and performance management, in compliance with HR processes and policies.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Avionics hardware development

Leadership

Team leadership

Engineering leadership

Education

BS in electrical engineering, computer engineering, aerospace engineering, or related field

Tools

Altium

PCB design

DO-254

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 supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a single-configuration, heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to low-Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar, and beyond. Its first stage is fully reusable, and the vehicle was designed from the beginning to be human-capable.

You will lead a team of avionics hardware engineers responsible for the electronics that fly on New Glenn. You will share in the team's impact on all aspects of avionics product development: architectural definition, hardware design, and verification. You should be comfortable working in fast-paced and often uncertain environments, contributing to innovative solutions while demonstrating personal leadership, technical competence, and attention to detail.

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise and leadership skills to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission is required.

Responsibilities

• Own delivery of the analog and digital boards in the New Glenn avionics suite — power electronics, compute, networking, antennas, sensors, and electromechanical and electrohydraulic actuators — from requirements through qualification.
• Provide technical direction to the team and own the quality of its engineering outputs.
• Develop processes that improve efficiency and quality.
• Identify and manage technical, cost and schedule, asset, and safety risks and opportunities. This includes documenting them, developing mitigation plans, and working with peers and program leadership to drive them to acceptable levels.
• Participate in program-level technology development, mission assurance and safety initiatives, and avionics process improvement.
• Own the full employee lifecycle for your team: hiring, development, and performance management, in compliance with HR processes and policies.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in electrical engineering, computer engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related field, plus 10+ years developing electronic systems — including significant experience in avionics or embedded hardware product development.
• 2+ years of project management or people management experience.
• Working knowledge across the development lifecycle: requirements negotiation, design, analysis, verification, and vehicle integration.
• Track record of leading teams that delivered complex, safety-critical avionics hardware on tight timelines.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to work effectively at every level of the organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands‑on experience developing electronic hardware in one or more of: analog, digital, and power conversion circuits; mechanical enclosures; analysis; test and debug; manufacturing.
• Experience taking printed circuit board assemblies from prototype through verification (power‑on, functional, acceptance, and qualification testing) to production release, including high‑reliability Class 3 assemblies.
• Knowledge of signal integrity, power distribution, grounding, and board layout principles.
• Familiarity with Altium or similar tools for complex aerospace boards, and experience managing external board fabrication and assembly vendors.
• Experience designing flight hardware to DO‑254 or similar design assurance methodologies.
• Experience developing radiation‑tolerant flight hardware for space missions.

Base Pay Range For

WA applicants is $183,807.00 - $257,328.75

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.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Aff… Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.