Senior Mission Planning Engineer - TeraWave

Blue Origin; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 156,802 - 219,522; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

401(k) match

Paid time off

Education Support Program

Job summary

Blue Origin in Reston, Virginia is seeking a Senior Mission Planning Engineer to architect and lead mission planning for the TeraWave program, bridging system requirements to executable planning products and providing templates and tools to operations teams.

The role requires expertise in mission planning, orbital mechanics, spacecraft operations, and Python software development, with mentorship to junior engineers and real-time support during launch and early orbit operations.

Qualifications

• BS in aerospace engineering or related field.
• 8+ years in spacecraft mission operations or planning.
• Experience designing or contributing to mission planning processes or tools.
• Experience developing command sequences or activity timelines for spacecraft operations.
• Strong understanding of spacecraft subsystems affecting planning (power, thermal, data, comms).
• Python or similar software development experience.
• Experience integrating engineering outputs into operational products.

Responsibilities

• Design and own end-to-end mission planning from design to execution.
• Establish constraint frameworks for scheduling and validation.
• Translate requirements and mission designs into actionable planning requirements.
• Define command sequence structures and play architectures for operational products.
• Ensure planning templates, tools, and processes are clear and validated.

Skills

Mission planning

Orbital mechanics

Flight dynamics

Python

Systems engineering

Command sequences

Cross-functional collaboration

Spacecraft operations

Education

B.S. in Aerospace Engineering

M.S. in Aerospace Engineering

Job description

Overview

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 are developing 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. Blue Origin is pioneering the future of space-based communications with TeraWave, a revolutionary satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This multi-orbit constellation will consist of optically interconnected satellites in low Earth orbit and medium Earth orbit, providing enterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide.

As a Senior Mission Planning Engineer, you will be responsible for architecting and leading the development of mission planning processes, products, and operational workflows across the TeraWave program. You are the critical bridge spanning the full mission planning chain — from system-level requirements and mission design, through concept of operations development, down to the command sequences, procedures, and plays that operations teams execute. You will translate top-level mission objectives and constraints into structured planning frameworks, ensure those frameworks drive the development of executable operational products, and provide the mission planners who execute operations with the processes, templates, and tools they need to succeed. Your expertise in mission planning, orbital mechanics, spacecraft operations, and software development will be essential in standing up a world-class mission planning capability for TeraWave.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Design and own the end-to-end mission planning process from mission design through operational execution, including planning cycle workflows, activity request intake, deconfliction, resource allocation, and timeline generation.
• Establish constraint frameworks that govern how activities are scheduled, sequenced, and validated.
• Translate system-level requirements, mission design outputs (trajectory plans, spacecraft models, ConOps), and mission objectives into actionable planning requirements.
• Define command sequence structure, procedure formats, and play architectures that align with the mission planning process and enable development of executable operational products.
• Ensure mission planners have clear, validated activity templates, planning tools, and operational processes to execute planning cycles during mission operations.
• Partner with mission planning software architects and developers to define operational requirements, and design, validate, and integrate mission-unique activity templates and command sequences into planning tools.
• Lead development of mission planning ops products, including activity templates, constraint definitions, planning procedures, and timeline products.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of mission planning tools and automation capabilities.
• Support test activities and rehearsals as the mission planning technical lead, ensuring planning products are verified and validated through simulation, rehearsal, and review processes.
• Mentor and guide junior mission planning engineers and operations team mission planners on planning processes and best practices.
• Support real-time mission operations as an on-console mission planner during launch and early orbit phase and other critical mission events as needed.
• Represent mission planning in cross-functional forums and design reviews.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of a B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field
• 8+ years of experience in spacecraft mission operations, mission planning, flight dynamics, or flight operations
• Demonstrated experience designing or significantly contributing to new mission planning processes, tools, or systems
• Experience developing command sequences, operational procedures, or activity timelines for spacecraft operations
• Strong understanding of spacecraft subsystems and how they constrain operational planning (power, thermal, data, comms availability, attitude)
• Software development experience in Python or equivalent programming language
• Experience working across organizational boundaries to integrate engineering outputs into operational products

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• Experience with multi-mission or constellation operations planning
• Experience leading or coordinating test exercises, rehearsals, or operational readiness activities
• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approaches and how they feed operational planning
• Experience with ground system command and control architectures
• Knowledge of electric propulsion systems and low-thrust trajectory planning
• Experience applying AI/ML techniques to engineering workflows, such as building or integrating intelligent automation, optimization models, or data-driven decision support tools
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
• Strong communication and coordination skills for interfacing with customers, engineering teams, and operations personnel

Base Pay Range

WA applicants is $156,802.00 - $219,522.45

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, 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 (CDL drivers only), 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 Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us [e-mail]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.