Software Development Engineer

Blue Origin; Merritt Island (FL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Paid time off

Education Support Program

Parental leave

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Blue Origin is developing lunar transportation software under the Lunar Permanence unit. The role focuses on producing and managing flight software for the Blue Transporter spacecraft, ensuring safety-critical performance, and engaging with subsystem leads to drive technical decisions.

You will draft and publish technical documents, coordinate with NASA and national partners, and report to the Flight Software Integrated Product Lead.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, aeronautics, or a related field with a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience, OR a master’s degree or a PhD degree with a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience
• Prior experience working in spaceflight or other safety‑critical industries
• Prior experience in embedded systems software engineering
• Proficiency in writing requirements and using Jama or a similar tool
• Experience with Jira or a similar activity management tool
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills
• Prior experience using Generative AI tools for programming and process improvement

Responsibilities

• Produce and manage the software architecture for the Blue Transporter spacecraft within the Lunar Permanence unit
• Ensure safety‑critical flight software is reliable and performant
• Engage with subsystem leads and engineers to guide technical decisions
• Draft, review, revise, and publish decision documents and implementation plans
• Report to the Flight Software Integrated Product Lead and coordinate with NASA and National Team Partners

Skills

Spaceflight experience

Embedded systems software

Requirements writing

Jama or equivalent

Jira or equivalent

Communication skills

Generative AI for programming

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/EE/related

Master’s or PhD (preferred)

Tools

Jama

Jira

Job description

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 working to develop reusable, safe, and low‑cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. This role is part of the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Moon landers and related products to build sustainable infrastructure for transporting crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.

As part of a hardworking team of engineers, you will work with various subsystem stakeholders to produce and manage the software architecture for the Blue Transporter spacecraft within the Lunar Permanence business unit. You will ensure the mission success of the lunar vehicles’ safety‑critical, performant flight software. You will proactively engage with leads and engineers of different subsystems, guide the software team’s technical decisions, and provide the rationale behind these decisions. You will draft, review, revise, and publish documents that outline these decisions and provide a credible plan for implementing flight software that completes the Lunar Permanence mission objectives. You will report to the Flight Software Integrated Product Lead and work directly with NASA and our National Team Partners as part of the Human Landing System (HLS) Sustaining Lunar Development (SLD) program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, aeronautics, or a related field with a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience, OR a master’s degree or a PhD degree with a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience
• Prior experience working in spaceflight or other safety‑critical industries
• Prior experience in embedded systems software engineering
• Proficiency in writing requirements and using Jama or a similar tool
• Experience with Jira or a similar activity management tool
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills
• Prior experience using Generative AI tools for programming and process improvement

Desired

• Experience with NPR 7150, DO‑178, or other similar standards
• Experience with the agile methodology
• Experience with C, C++, Rust, or other embedded programming languages
• Experience with cFS or other flight software frameworks
• Experience with orbital vehicles or in‑space systems

Benefits

• 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 per week)
• Paid Time Off: Up to four 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; bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and are subject to change and cancellation

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 workforce. 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.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, a 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 the role requires presence on a military installation
• Required for certain job profiles: drivers who operate commercial motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) or gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,001 lbs. or more, or that transport placardable amounts of hazardous materials, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
• Required for certain job profiles: ability to obtain and maintain a Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre‑employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical