Systems Engineer III (Remote Sensing Systems Architecture)

Blue Origin LLC; Washington; On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

401(k) with company match

Education Support Program

Job summary

Blue Origin LLC is seeking a Sr. Systems Engineer to develop and manage space-based system requirements, perform architecture trade studies, and support program milestones. You will collaborate with payload, bus, and ground segments to ensure end-to-end system integrity and mission success.

The role requires experience in RF sensing, GMTI/AMTI concepts, and strong documentation skills. Active TS/SCI clearance and U.S. citizenship or eligibility are required.

Qualifications

• BS degree in electrical, aerospace, systems engineering or physics.
• 5+ years in aerospace/defense system engineering.
• Experience with requirements management tools (DOORS, Jama).
• Active TS/SCI clearance and U.S. citizenship or eligible status.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain system-level requirements for space-based sensing systems and ensure traceability to objectives.
• Conduct architecture trade studies comparing design options and performance margins.
• Produce and review CONOPs, SRDs, ICDs, and SEMP documents.
• Collaborate with payload, spacecraft bus, ground systems, and mission ops teams for end-to-end coherence.
• Support design reviews and provide inputs to program milestones and gates.
• Perform RF system performance assessments, link budgets, and sensitivity analyses.
• Engage with government customers to translate needs into requirements and specs.
• Support risk management and TPM tracking throughout the program lifecycle.

Skills

Systems engineering

Requirements mgmt

RF sensing

GMTI/AMTI concepts

Link budgets

SE standards

Design reviews

Technical writing

TS/SCI clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in EE/AE/Systems Eng/Physics

Master's degree preferred

Tools

DOORS

Jama

Job description

About the Role

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 Blue National Security business unit, which is focused on delivering advanced space-based capabilities in support of national security missions. Within the Special Programs organization, this team operates at the forefront of mission engineering and architecture, developing next-generation space systems that address the most demanding and consequential challenges in the defense domain.

Special Mentions

• Relocation assistance is available for this position
• This role may be performed from any of Blue Origin's primary U.S. locations, including but not limited to: Kent, WA; Denver, CO; Huntsville, AL; Reston, VA; Los Angeles, CA
• Travel expectation: up to 10%
• This is an individual contributor role
• An active TS//SCI security clearance is required prior to start

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain system-level requirements for advanced space-based sensing systems, ensuring traceability from mission objectives through subsystem specifications
• Conduct architecture trade studies to evaluate design alternatives, performance margins, and technical feasibility across competing system concepts
• Author and review key systems engineering artifacts including Concepts of Operations (CONOPs), System Requirements Documents (SRDs), Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and Systems Engineering Management Plans (SEMPs)
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including payload, spacecraft bus, ground systems, and mission operations to ensure end-to-end system coherence and performance closure
• Support design review cycles and provide technical inputs to program milestones and decision gates
• Perform RF system performance assessments, link budget analyses, and system-level sensitivity studies relevant to space-based sensing architectures
• Engage with government customers and mission partners to understand operational needs and translate them into actionable system requirements and performance specifications
• Support risk identification, mitigation planning, and technical performance measurement (TPM) tracking throughout the program lifecycle
• Contribute to the development of program-level technical documentation, white papers, and briefings for internal and external stakeholders

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline
• 5+ years of experience in systems engineering within the aerospace, defense, or national security domain
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing system-level requirements using requirements management tools (e.g., DOORS, Jama, or equivalent)
• Experience with space-based RF sensing or surveillance system architectures
• Familiarity with Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) or Airborne Moving Target Indicator (AMTI) signal processing concepts and their implications on system design
• Experience with RF or sensing system performance analysis, including link budgets, system noise figure, and coverage/revisit analysis
• Familiarity with systems engineering processes and standards (e.g., NASA/DoD SE frameworks, MIL-STD-499, or equivalent)
• Experience supporting formal design reviews and generating associated technical artifacts
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear technical documentation and present to varying audiences
• Active TS//SCI security clearance
• 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

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
• Experience with radar system performance modeling tools (e.g., MATLAB, STK, or custom simulation environments)
• Familiarity with space environment effects on RF systems, including ionospheric propagation and thermal environment impacts on system performance
• Prior experience working within a Special Programs or classified program environment
• Experience interfacing with DoD or Intelligence Community (IC) customers

Base Pay Range

• Base Pay Range for: CA applicants is $121,023.00 - $169,432.20
• CO applicants is $110,938.00 - $155,312.85
• WA applicants is $121,023.00 - $169,432.20
• VA applicants is $121,023.00 - $169,432.20
• Other site ranges may differ

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 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.

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 Requirements

Background Check Required for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background CheckRequired for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installationRequired 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

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 Affinative 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.

Mission Statement

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.

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