Sr Avionics Hardware Engineer

Blue Origin; Merritt Island (FL); On-site; USD 156,802 - 219,522; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Stock options

Paid time off

Job summary

Blue Origin in the United States is seeking a Power Engineer for spacecraft programs to design, develop, and test avionics hardware from component to integrated system. You will prototype, build harnesses, and test hardware in the lab, influencing power generation, storage, regulation, and distribution architectures.

You will collaborate with mechanical and thermal teams, define requirements for sensors and interfaces, and create Schematics/PCB layouts with Altium or Cadence, performing SPICE

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical or Computer Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years in avionics and power hardware for high-reliability apps.
• Hands-on experience with wire harnesses and prototype electronics.
• Knowledge of radiation effects on electronics and sensor interfaces.
• Experience with schematic capture and PCB layout tools.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test spacecraft avionics systems.
• Lead design and analysis of power systems: generation, storage, regulation, distribution.
• Fabricate, assemble, and test hardware including wire harnesses and soldering.
• Apply radiation hardening principles to ensure reliability.
• Define requirements for sensors and electrical interfaces (analog, SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, Ethernet).
• Collaborate with mechanical and thermal teams on layout and packaging.
• Develop schematics, PCB layouts, and SPICE simulations for critical circuits.
• Create test plans, procedures, and reports for hardware verification and validation.
• Troubleshoot hardware issues and support vehicle-level testing.
• Maintain electrical power budgets across mission phases.

Skills

Avionics hardware development

Wire harnesses

Power electronics

Radiation hardening

Circuit analysis

Sensor interfaces

Schematic capture

PCB layout

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

Cadence

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 is part of Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE), supporting Blue Origin’s mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. The ACE Formulation team is multidisciplinary, covering power systems, simulation and environments, thermal and fluids management, guidance, navigation, and control (GNC), autonomy, command and control, data handling and instrumentation, electrical integration and avionics, and propulsion. Working with this team to serve the various projects, studies, and programs in a rapid formulation design environment will be a key responsibility while contributing technically as an individual contributor sharing your expertise.

As a Power Engineer for our spacecraft programs, you will be a key player in the entire lifecycle of our vehicle's electronic systems. You will design, develop, and test critical avionics hardware from the component level to the integrated system. You will also prototype, build harnesses, and test the hardware you create in the lab.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test spacecraft avionics systems
• Lead the design and analysis of vehicle power systems, including power generation, energy storage, regulation, and distribution architectures.
• Perform hands‑on fabrication, assembly, and testing of engineering‑level hardware, including building and modifying wire harnesses, soldering components, and integrating sensor systems.
• Apply principles of radiation hardening (TID, SEE) to ensure system reliability and select components to meet mission radiation requirements.
• Define and manage requirements for various sensors and their electrical interfaces (e.g., analog, SPI, I2C, UART, RS‑422, CAN, Ethernet).
• Collaborate with mechanical and thermal engineering teams to influence vehicle layout, packaging, connector selection, and overall system design.
• Develop schematics, manage PCB layout, and perform SPICE simulations for critical circuits.
• Create comprehensive test plans, procedures, and reports for hardware verification and validation at the board, box, and system levels.
• Troubleshoot complex hardware issues across integrated systems and support vehicle‑level testing and launch campaigns.
• Generate and maintain electrical power budgets covering all power consumption and generation/storage margin management by mission phase.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 7+ years of experience in avionics and power hardware development for aerospace, defense, automotive, or other high‑reliability applications.
• Hands‑on engineer experience designing, building, and reworking wire harnesses and prototype electronics.
• Understanding of common circuit analyses (Worst‑Case Circuit Analysis, Derating, Power Analysis, Timing, etc.).
• Strong understanding of designing for the space radiation environment and its effects on electronic components.
• Experience working with a variety of sensor types and their associated analog and digital interfaces.
• Experience with schematic capture and PCB layout tools such as Altium Designer or Cadence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Science in a related technical discipline.
• Experience with end‑to‑end development of avionics for a spaceflight mission.
• Experience with environmental testing (thermal, vacuum, vibration, shock) per standards like SMC‑S‑016 or MIL‑STD‑810.
• Proven experience in the design and analysis of power generation, energy storage, power electronics and power distribution systems.
• Experience with high‑voltage power systems.
• Familiarity with systems engineering processes, including requirements management and verification.

Base Pay Range (WA)

$156,802.00 – $219,522.45

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 regular employees (working at least 20 hours per week).
• Paid time off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on scheduled hours, and up to 14 company‑paid holidays.
• Potential bonuses and other discretionary benefits based on role type and level.

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 the role requires presence on a military installation.
• Additional requirements may apply for drivers, mariners, or other specific roles.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is a proud equal‑opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. We support a workplace that promotes trust, equality, and teamwork. Qualified applicants will be offered equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and employment conditions, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristics. For more information on “Know Your Rights,” see here.