MK2 Vehicle Engineering Principal Systems Engineer

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.

We are seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to lead system definition, technical integration, and verification execution for the MK2 Crew Lunar Lander. This role drives disciplined end-to-end systems engineering for a crewed lunar landing vehicle, spanning architecture trades, requirements/ICDs, hazard and fault management, and verification closure through integrated vehicle testing and mission readiness.

You will serve as a senior technical integrator across propulsion, GN&C, avionics, comms, power, thermal, structures, software, and crew systems, ensuring the lander meets performance, safety, human-rating, and mission objectives in the lunar environment.

Key Responsibilities

System Architecture & Mission Integration

• Lead lander-level architecture trades and system budgets (mass, power, thermal, propellant, delta-V, comms link, pointing, timeline/ops).

• Develop and maintain vehicle-level CONOPS for crewed lunar descent/ascent, surface operations, and rendezvous/docking phases (as applicable).

• Define and manage system-level margins, performance closure, and technical decision records.

Requirements, Interfaces, and Configuration Management

• Own system requirements decomposition, allocation, and traceability (mission → vehicle → subsystem → component).

• Develop and manage ICDs and interface verification for:Launch vehicle and ground processing/transportationCrew and mission systems (e.g., docking/transfer interfaces where applicable)Ground segment and mission operationsTest equipment and GSE

• Drive technical baseline management, change control (CCB), and requirements quality (clear, verifiable, traceable).

Human-Rating, Safety, and Fault Management

• Lead system-level hazard identification/closure, fault tolerance strategy, redundancy, and safe-mode/contingency design for a crewed vehicle.

• Guide FMEA/FMECA, FHA/SSHA support, and integrated fault management (FDIR) requirements across avionics, propulsion, and software.

• Ensure design and verification approach supports human-rating expectations (including rigorous verification evidence and operational controls).

Verification & Validation (V&V) and Test Execution

• Own or co-own the lander verification plan, verification matrix, and compliance evidence strategy.

• Define integrated test strategy and success criteria across component, subsystem, and vehicle levels including:Propulsion testing (including cryogenic operations as applicable), pressurization, leak checksGN&C closed-loop testing / HILEMI/EMC, environmental tests (vibe/shock), thermal balance/TVACEnd-to-end mission simulations and mission readiness activities

• Lead anomaly triage and root-cause/corrective action closure with cross-functional teams.

Cross-Functional Technical Leadership

• Chair/lead integration forums; resolve subsystem-to-system technical conflicts and drive closure.

• Mentor engineers and elevate systems engineering rigor (requirements, interface discipline, verification thinking, review readiness).

• Support major technical reviews and customer-facing milestones (SRR/PDR/CDR/TRR/FRR) with clear, data-backed messaging.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: B.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or related engineering discipline (M.S. preferred).

• Experience: 10+ years in systems engineering with significant responsibility on complex flight vehicles; experience leading integration and verification is required.

• Demonstrated ownership of system requirements, ICDs, and verification closure through test and review milestones.

• Strong breadth across spacecraft/lander subsystems (propulsion, GN&C, avionics, comms, power, thermal, structures, mechanisms, software).

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional technical teams and make high-quality trade decisions under schedule pressure.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience on crewed spacecraft and/or human-rated systems (hazards, fault tolerance, operational mitigations, stringent verification).

• Experience with lunar missions/environments (dust, lighting extremes, thermal transients, surface operations constraints).

• Experience with cryogenic propulsion systems, integrated propellant management, and propulsion system verification.

• Tool proficiency: requirements management (e.g., Jama), Workflow (e.g., Jira), and configuration management practices.

• Experience supporting integrated vehicle test campaigns and flight/mission readiness processes.

Skills & Competencies

• Systems thinking and disciplined engineering judgment

• Requirements craftsmanship (testable, unambiguous, traceable)

• Interface rigor and integration leadership

• Structured risk management and technical communication to executives/customers

• Bias toward data, closure, and end-to-end accountability

 

Compensation Range for:

CO applicants is $160,618.00 - $224,864.85 WA applicants is $169,624.00 - $237,473.25

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.