Sr. Manager GenAI/AI R&D Software Development

Blue Origin; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 197,000 - 276,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Origin in Washington state seeks a Senior Software Development Manager to lead the MES AI software engineering team, driving an ambitious technology roadmap. You will oversee the design, simulation, and delivery of AI-enabled manufacturing software for aerospace applications.

You will collaborate with customers and partners such as Anthropic, AWS, and OpenAI to advance Physical AI capabilities while mentoring engineers and building a high-performance team focused on safety and quality.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of software and systems engineering in fast-paced environments.
• 3+ years leading development teams.
• 2+ years building products that use or incorporate Large Language Models.
• 5+ years building products that incorporate Machine Learning models.
• Strong experience with GenAI state-of-the-art architectures (agent memory, retrieval augmented generation).
• Experience applying AI to solve business problems and enable software development.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the enterprise MES AI software engineering team to build AI software products that accelerate the hardware lifecycle.
• Hire, staff, and manage the software engineering/research science team to execute against MES AI goals and roadmap.
• Partner with customers to identify needs and develop a Physical AI product roadmap with Emerging Technology leaders and product managers.
• Collaborate with external partners like Anthropic, AWS, OpenAI to integrate AI capabilities.
• Provide technical leadership to ensure safe and efficient operations.
• Own and optimize production of MES AI systems with performance, cost, and quality monitoring.
• Grow and mentor team members and future leaders.

Skills

Leadership

LLM experience

Machine learning

GenAI systems

Software architecture

Education

Master's or equivalent in CS/Physics/Statistics or STEM

Tools

Anthropic

AWS

OpenAI

Job description

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 Enterprise Technology (ET), where we’re developing the digital infrastructure needed to build the road to space, with an emphasis on digital capabilities required to advance Blue Origin’s mission. Enterprise Technology is the center of excellence for digital technology at Blue Origin, providing oversight and governance to align technology and business strategies.

As part of the AI Manufacturing Execution System leadership team, you will bring software engineering leadership to aerospace design and analysis systems. You will be a key leader of the team responsible for building our Physical AI tools - AI native systems that accelerate the design, build and test our products using the latest generative and agentic AI technologies and approaches.

We are looking for a leader who has an approach hallmarked by rapid delivery, continuous-improvement and people leadership skills who is ready to apply their technical expertise, management skill, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Software Development Manager. This leader will manage a team of skilled software developers and drive them to execute an ambitious technology roadmap.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Lead and manage the enterprise Manufacturing Execution Systems AI software engineering team to build AI software products that will accelerate the hardware lifecycle: requirements, design, simulation, analysis, build, operate.
• Hire, staff, and manage the software engineering/research science team to execute against the Enterprise MES AI goals and product roadmap.
• Partner with customers to identify needs and create innovative solutions, working in concert with the Emerging Technology leaders and product managers to develop and execute against a Physical AI product roadmap and capability set
• Collaborate with external partners like Anthropic, AWS, OpenAI and other LLM and AI service providers to integrate and securely enable market leading Physical AI capabilities at Blue Origin.
• Provide technical expertise and leadership to ensure safe and efficient operations
• Own and optimize production of the MES AI systems, ensuring exceptional performance and reliability, and instrumenting for performance, cost, and quality.
• Grow and mentor dedicated individuals and future leaders.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in software development, outstanding leadership skills, and a passion for innovation in aerospace.

Qualifications

• Masters or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Physics, Statistics or other STEM degree.
• 10+ Years of Software and systems engineering in fast paced environments with 3+ years leading development teams.
• 2+ Years in building products that use or incorporate Large Language Models
• 5+ years in building products that apply or incorporate Machine Learning Models
• Strong experience building systems at the GenAI state of the art, particularly agentic harnesses, MCP, agent memory and state management, retrieval augmented generation, and knowledge graphs
• Experience applying AI to solve business problems and facilitate software development.
• Strong understanding of software architecture, design patterns, and development methodologies.
• Ability to support a driven a dynamic environment with high accountability and ownership
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• A passion for space exploration and a commitment to Blue Origin’s mission.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% of the time.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with design and product definition within regulated industries.
• Experience with simulations, digital twins, and synthetic data generation.
• Experience in the aerospace or defense industry.
• Familiarity with compliance and regulatory requirements in aerospace.

Base Pay Range For

WA applicants is $197,004.00 - $275,805.60

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