Sr GN&C Hardware Engineer - Lunar Permanence

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.

As part of a hardworking team of multi-disciplinary engineers, you will assist in the development and/or procurement of guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) sensor hardware and systems for navigation, landing, rendezvous, proximity operations and docking, and other applications for Blue Origin’s spacecraft. You will participate in the full life cycle of these systems from early concepts to product prototypes to qualified and deployed flight hardware. This is an individual contributor, responsible for engaging with cross-discipline engineers and supporting the development, procurement, integration, and test of GN&C sensors, actuators, associated electronics, and related systems.

You will work closely with the broader GN&C team to seamlessly integrate these components with the rest of the GN&C flight software and vehicle subsystems. This role is deeply interdisciplinary and requires coordination among a group of internal stakeholders, adjacent integrated product teams, and suppliers. Periodic travel to Lunar Plant 1 in Florida will be required (unless based out of Florida). Your leadership and technical contributions will enable flight of state-of-the-art aerospace vehicles and missions.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Collaborate in the development of navigation and sensor hardware requirements from system-level specifications with flow-downs to subsystem and component levels, and companion verification methods
• Actively participate in the design, development, integration, testing, and overall lifecycle management of GN&C hardware components and systems
• Design and coordinate sensor architecture and hardware configurations through trade studies and sensor performance trade-offs
• Perform and guide testing and analysis of sensor hardware, including laboratory and flight testing, shock/vibration, thermal vacuum, and radiation environments, to validate top-level system specifications and requirements and establish sensor performance specifications
• Support the design, procurement, fabrication, test and characterization of protype hardware
• Support the development and execution of component-level test programs, including sensor characterization, sensor modeling, and integrated on-vehicle testing
• Support hardware-in-the-loop testing, on-vehicle functional testing, and flight testing
• Routinely collaborate with manufacturing operations, supply chain, and other teams within the company to ensure smooth execution of development, integration, and test efforts
• Define, deploy, and enhance technical and programmatic processes as needed to ensure efficient team operations and timely deliverables in support of ambitious program objectives

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. in Physics, Electrical, Mechanical, or Aerospace engineering or related areas of study
• 8+ years of related experience with high-reliability electro-mechanical, electro-optical, or RF sensors and components for harsh and/or highly regulated environments including space, military, or automotive industries
• Detailed knowledge of inertial measurement units (IMUs) and demonstrated experience with the procurement (or design) and integration into space vehicles
• Knowledge of multiple GN&C sensors, their related system components (inertial sensors, optical sensors, lenses, laser sources, RF or image processing electronics, etc.) and their characterization
• Demonstrated experience in the development, prototyping, testing, and calibration of sensors for aerospace, military, automotive, medical, or precision robotics applications
• Demonstrated experience in component procurement, integration, and test support
• Demonstrated experience in test and verification of navigation or related sensors, actuators, supporting electronics and mechanical assemblies
• Hands-on experience and proven ability to work with test, flight, and safety-critical hardware
• Familiarity with documentation and product lifecycle management tools such as Windchill, Teamcenter, or similar
• Knowledge of design and construction standards for high reliability electronics and mechanical components (NASA, MIL-STD, IEEE, IPC, etc.)
• Experience with analytical and scripting tools such as Matlab, LabView, or Python
• Experience in product schedule, cost, delivery, and supplier management
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast paced, dynamic work environment
• Ability to perform data analysis and reduction and present technical information in a clear and compelling visual format

Preferred Qualifications:

• M.S. in Physics, Electrical, Mechanical, or Aerospace engineering or equivalent with 10+ years of relevant experience
• Hands on experience with spacecraft vehicle or satellite system integration and test
• Experience in the detailed technical development of GN&C related sensors and instruments for space applications and space environments
• Knowledge and experience with navigation systems that include measurements from IMU, GPS, lidar, radar, star trackers, and other optical sensors
• Detailed knowledge of EEE part selection and screening for space applications
• Experience in leading or supporting technical teams through multiple successful product deliveries
• Familiarity with requirements management tools such as DOORS, Jama Connect, or similar

 

Compensation Range for:

WA applicants is $156,802.00 - $219,522.45

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.

• 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.

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