Sr. Back-end Ground Software Engineer - Lunar Permanence

Blue Origin; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 181,626 - 254,275; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Education Support Program

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a Ground Software Engineer for the Lunar Permanence program to build, test, and integrate software enabling Earth-based operators to manage mission-critical functions for lunar spaceflight. You will work on mission operations centers, spacecraft integration, and flight software verification.

The role requires a strong background in Python or Rust, Linux, and full software lifecycle experience, with a passion for space exploration and collaboration across engineering teams.

Qualifications

• B.S. or higher degree in Software or Engineering related field.
• 8+ years of software development experience.
• Proven software development in Python and/or Rust.
• Willingness to work and integrate with frontend developers and React-based frameworks.
• Experience in full lifecycle software engineering (design, implementation, verification, integration and release).
• Skills in build automation, CI, configuration management, verification, and deployment.
• Experience in designing and implementing scalable software architectures.
• Familiarity with Linux environment and Unix system administration.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams.
• Passion for spaceflight and space exploration.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, test, verify and deploy mission operations, safety-critical software systems, ensuring the success of the overall Ground System (hardware/software) supporting space flight operations.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to define software requirements, architectures, and designs.
• Develop rapid prototypes to prove out concepts and quantify technical risks.
• Coordinate with mission control infrastructure and engineers to plan, develop, and lead system verification and qualification.
• Produce and contribute to documentation for software architecture, design, verification plans, user manuals and training material.
• Follow software development processes to ensure software safety and reliability.
• Support frequent update cycles for pre-flight testing, mission validation exercises and events related to operations training.
• Support mission control software operations responsibilities during operator training; ground data system verification, validation, and certification; spacecraft integration; and flight.
• Integrate software components, build, and run unit-level and system-level tests, validate using Software-in-the-Loop and Hardware-in-the-Loop simulators, and release certified code.

Skills

Python

Rust

React

Linux

CI/CD

Software architecture

Systems engineering

Testing

Communication

Education

B.S. or higher in Software/Engineering

Tools

Git

Linux

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 the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin's Blue Moon landers and related products. To further Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.

As a Ground Software Engineer in Blue Origin's Lunar Permanence program, you will help build, test, and integrate the software required for the Lunar Permanence Mission Operations Centers used to fly lunar space vehicles. You will work closely with space vehicle and ground subsystem teams. You will be responsible for developing, testing, and deploying software that will enable Earth-based operators to perform mission-critical functions supporting Blue Origin operations, including flight/ground system integration and testing, mission activity planning, telemetry data processing and display, spacecraft system/health monitoring and fault detection, and operations training.

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

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, test, verify and deploy mission operations, safety-critical software systems, ensuring the success of the overall Ground System (hardware/software) supporting space flight operations.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including engineers representing space vehicle systems, mission-control infrastructure, operations fields, and other customers to define software requirements, architectures, and designs.
• Develop rapid prototypes to prove out concepts and quantify technical risks.
• Coordinate with mission control infrastructure and mission system engineers to plan, develop, and lead system verification and qualification, to ensure software products that meet system requirements and safety-critical standards.
• Produce and contribute to documentation for software architecture, design, verification plans, user manuals and training material.
• Follow software development processes that meet Blue Origin and customer-required standards to ensure software safety and reliability.
• Support frequent update cycles for pre-flight testing, mission validation exercises and events related to operations training.
• Support mission control software operations responsibilities (maintenance, problem correction, improvements) during operator training; ground data system verification, validation, and certification; spacecraft integration; and flight.
• Integrate software components, build, and run unit-level and system-level tests, validate using Software-in-the-Loop and Hardware-in-the-Loop simulators, and release certified code.

Qualifications

• B.S. or higher degree in Software or Engineering related field.
• 8+ years of software development experience.
• Proven software development in Python and/or Rust.
• A willingness to work and integrate with frontend developers and React-based frameworks.
• Experience in full lifecycle software engineering. Including: system design, software implementation and verification, system integration, and release.
• Skills in software build automation, continuous integration, configuration management, verification, and deployment.
• Experience in designing and implementing scalable software architectures.
• Familiarity with Linux environment and basic Unix system administration activities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams.
• Passion for spaceflight and space exploration.

Desired

• 5+ years of proven ability in developing software supporting systems in critical applications (e.g. aviation, spaceflight, nuclear power, business-critical web services, etc.).
• Experience crafting and developing software for aerospace operations.
• Familiar with infrastructure-as-code, services-as-code, and cloud technologies.
• Understanding of space-based communications protocols, such as CCSDS.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity practices to ensure the safety of software systems.
• Compliance experience with NPR 7150.2x.
• Experience with fault-tolerant software design, human error assessment, and human error prevention and fault tolerance.
• Experience with spacecraft subsystems and associated software.

Base Pay Range for:

CO applicants is $181,626.00 - $254,275.35WA applicants is $197,529.00 - $276,539.55

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, 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 Affiantive 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.