Director of Vehicle G&C – New Glenn

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 supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a single-configuration, heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to low-Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar, and beyond. Its first stage is fully reusable, and the vehicle was designed from the beginning to be human-capable.

As part of a hardworking team of dynamic engineers, you will serve as the Single Threaded Leader (STL) for New Glenn Generation 1 G&C. In this role, you will lead the development of vehicle level guidance and control (G&C) algorithms for current generation vehicles and planned upgrades from conceptual level design, through development, test, integration, flight and post flight analysis. In addition, you will lead a team of 7+ experienced G&C vehicle autonomy engineers across a variety of New Glenn development programs and will be responsible for managing and coaching the staff. We are looking for an experienced engineer that will apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, high judgement, and commitment to meeting goals and quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and strong communication and collaborative skills are required!

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Act as the Single Threaded Leader (STL) for our Generation 1 G&C Software and Simulation
• Lead the Vehicle Autonomy teams in developing the codes, models, tools, pre- and post- flight analysis tasks to support our launch schedule
• Oversee efforts to integrate software components, create and run unit tests, release real-time local and vehicle level autonomy applications, support HIL and on-vehicle testing.
• Manage G&C launch and test operations support for our operational vehicles
• Lead a cross-functional technical team to mature technologies, innovate to reach breakthroughs, and accomplish specific objectives for adding new technologies, such as AI, into key development programs
• Technical oversight and authority of a range of software solutions
• Prepare and manage design/technology reviews
• Support systems analysis with a cross-functional mindset to support system level architectural decisions

Minimum Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience focused on development of autonomy for complex processes and/or aerospace autonomy/GNC
• Experience in development, implementation, and testing of Autonomy on aerospace vehicles
• Experience in test, verification and validation of complex algorithms, simulations, and software
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing lean teams on fast-paced projects
• Demonstrated experience in software development from initial architecture to deployed systems
• Leadership and management experience as well as a history of mentoring
• Highly organized and capable of planning and guiding complex technical work
• Demonstrated ability to perform both theoretical (e.g., modeling, simulation, analysis, design) and applied (implementation, testing, and validation) development of sophisticated algorithms and data processing techniques

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in a relevant engineering field.
• Direct experience with the development of launch vehicle guidance and control algorithms
• Proficiency in system modeling and analysis using tools like MATLAB/Simulink.
• Experience with of AI-assisted coding techniques and tools to support efficient software production methods
• Hands-on experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and integrated vehicle test campaigns.
• Familiarity with requirements management systems (e.g., DOORS Next Generation), issue tracking systems (e.g., JIRA), and revision control systems (e.g., Git).

 

Compensation Range for:

WA applicants is $233,934.00 - $327,506.55

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 (CDL drivers only), 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 Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at [email protected]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.