Spacecraft Engineering Lead

Blue Origin; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 160,618 - 224,864; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

401(k) with company match

Paid Time Off and Holidays

Job summary

Blue Origin in Denver is seeking a seasoned spacecraft development lead with over 15 years in aerospace systems. As head of the development team, you'll deliver critical spacecraft solutions while ensuring mission objectives align with customer needs. Candidates must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in engineering and possess leadership skills.

This role requires TS/SCI security clearance, emphasizing collaboration with various technical teams to facilitate successful mission outcomes.

Come join us at Blue Origin to make spaceflight more accessible!

Qualifications

• Over 15 years of experience in aerospace systems development and launch.
• Proven track record of leading multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Experience with TS/SCI security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead spacecraft development team on mission objectives.
• Define and lead technical planning for spacecraft production.
• Coordinate with mission system, ground system, and payload engineers.

Skills

Strong problem-solving abilities

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Leadership and management background

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical field

Tools

Aerospace systems expertise

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!

The role is part of the In‑Space Systems business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on‑orbit.

As part of a hardworking team of engineers, you will be accountable for the delivery of a spacecraft bus for a Blue National Security mission. With support from spacecraft subsystem, systems, and integration engineers from the Spacecraft Development organization, you will be responsible for delivering a mission specific Blue Ring spacecraft. You will work in collaboration with mission system engineers, payload system engineers, ground system engineers, and the program manager to ensure that customer needs are met within the constraints of the Blue Ring product line. You will be the single threaded technical leader responsible for the successful function of the spacecraft bus from the design updates, through subsystem integration, and spacecraft delivery to the launch base.

Special Mentions

• Relocation assistance provided
• Active TS/SCI security clearance required
• Travel expected up to 20‑50% of the time (if located in Denver)

Responsibilities include but are not limited to

• Lead the spacecraft development team on your mission to achieve the technical and programmatic objectives of the spacecraft
• Define and lead the weekly technical rhythm of your team by planning design cycles and the spacecraft production, integration and test schedule
• Prioritize tasking of the engineers supporting your mission and work to deconflict competing resources across multiple missions and spacecraft
• Coordinate with mission system, ground system, launch system, and payload engineers executing the entire mission
• Signature authority for spacecraft level engineering changes, risk dispositions, nonconformances, and failure review boards.
• Act as primary technical interface to customers for spacecraft development.
• Flow down customer demands from the program manager while providing cost, schedule, technical, and resource impacts so that priority decisions can be made at the appropriate program or business unit level

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in engineering or a related technical field
• Over 15 years of experience in crafting, developing, and launching aerospace systems.
• Proven track record of leading multidisciplinary technical teams and delivering flight hardware and or software
• Strong problem‑solving abilities and proficiency in trade study methods
• Leadership or management background with a history of mentoring team members
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Top Secret/SCI clearance required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading a program through the full lifecycle from concept and planning, through design, implementation, assembly, integration, test, and mission operations.
• Deep technical expertise in at least one spacecraft engineering discipline.
• Master's degree or higher in engineering or a related technical field

Base Pay Range for:

CO applicants is $160,618.00 - $224,864.85 WA applicants is $169,624.00 - $237,473.25

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 interview process, please contact us at [e-mail]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.