Sr. Back-end Ground Software Engineer - Lunar Permanence

Blue Origin; Littleton (CO); On-site; USD 182,000 - 254,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) match

Stock options

Paid time off

Job summary

Blue Origin LLC is seeking a Ground Software Engineer for the Lunar Permanence program. You will help build, test, and integrate software enabling Earth-based operators to perform mission-critical functions for lunar operations.

The role involves collaborating with space vehicle teams, developing prototypes, and supporting verification, with emphasis on safety and reliability in a highly demanding spaceflight environment.

Qualifications

• B.S. or higher in Software or Engineering.
• 8+ years of software development experience.
• Proven Python and/or Rust development experience.
• Experience with Linux environments and CI/CD processes.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, test, verify and deploy mission operations software.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across vehicles, ops, and customers.
• Develop rapid prototypes and lead verification and qualification efforts.
• Produce software architecture and user documentation; support training.

Skills

Python

Rust

React

Linux

CI/CD

Education

B.S. in Software or Engineering

Tools

Git

CI/CD pipelines

SIL/HIL simulators

Job description

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’s 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.
• 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 - $254,275.35 WA applicants is $197,529.00 - $276,539.55 Other site ranges may differ.

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 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.

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

We’re committed to building the road to space so our children can build the future. We are a mission‑driven company focused on ideas and innovation, and encourage fresh perspectives from bold voices. At Blue, our team is building the future as their unique selves.

Thank you for your interest in working at Blue Origin!

Blue Origin was founded with a vision to enable a future where millions of people are living and working in space to benefit Earth. In order to preserve Earth, Blue Origin believes in the need to enable humanity to expand, explore, find new energy and material resources, and move industries that stress Earth into space. Blue Origin believes it has an important role in building a road to space and lowering the cost of getting there.

At Blue Origin, we’re working on this today by developing fully reusable launch vehicles and systems that are safe, reliable and affordable. Every launch vehicle is designed for human spaceflight from the beginning and able to ferry payloads to space.

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