Astrodynamics Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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!
The role is part of the In-Space Systems business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit.
Shape the Future of Space Mobility and Astrodynamics Operations
Blue Origin, and particularly the In-Space Business Unit, is pushing the boundaries of space mobility with missions spanning geostationary, cislunar, and heliocentric regimes. Our spacecraft must execute complex maneuvers using different propulsion systems-from high-thrust chemical to efficient electric propulsion-while navigating via GPS, radiometric tracking, and other advanced methods.
As an Astrodynamics Operations Engineer in the Astrodynamics and Trajectory eXecution team (ATX), you lead flight-specific astrodynamics operations of a Blue Ring mission, which will consist of designing both high-thrust and low-thrust vehicle maneuvers, and processing measurements for ground-based orbit determination, and ensuring their accurate implementation within the greater ground system. You will work closely with our mission planning and spaceflight operations teams to convert astrodynamics-related vehicle activities into ground-based commands. You will interface with vertically-integrated astrodynamics algorithms. While assisting with our first-ever flight, you will also roadmap and build out our processes toward fleet-level automation. You will ensure that the operations products and processes that the navigators need are in place for the mission.
The ATX team works cradle-to-grave for each mission, and members of our team are multifaceted. Beyond leading pre-launch operations activities for your assigned missions, you will contribute to core flight dynamics development in maneuver planning and orbit determination. As you grow in the role, there is a path to take on broader cross-mission responsibilities as the ATX Flight Ops Interface Lead, coordinating astrodynamics operations across the full Blue Ring fleet.
Your Impact:

• Lead Live Mission Operations: Design and execute critical maneuvers during flight operations with real-time decision making.
• Lead the Pre-Launch Navigation Ops Activities: Develop navigation rehearsal processes, day-in-the-life ops simulations, console logs, and facilitate the integration of flight dynamics software.
• Drive Automation: Automate astrodynamics operations processes to the limits that are possible as Blue Ring grows into fleet-wide operations.
• Collaborate Across Disciplines: Work closely with mission planners, flight operations stakeholders, payload customers, systems engineers, and vehicle engineers.
• Understand, Implement, and Integrate Core Algorithms: Perform flight dynamics algorithm development as needed, aid in its implementation into the Flight Dynamics software system, and understand its execution in the operational ground system.
• Deliver Excellence: Present results and support critical design reviews using Agile development methodologies.
• Enable Mission Success: Perform mission analysis ensuring robust mission performance across multiple operational scenarios.
• Be an Excellent Communicator: Blue Ring works with a distributed team of flight operations engineers and thus requires good communications.

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related fields.
• 3+ years of proven experience focused on satellite mission design.
• Experience performing ground-based spacecraft orbit determination or maneuvering in live operations.
• Strong fundamentals in astrodynamics, high-thrust trajectory optimization, and low-thrust trajectory optimization.
• Applied experience in navigation tools such as Monte, STK/ODTK, FreeFlyer, Copernicus, or GMAT.
• Experience in at least one of the following languages: Python, Julia, or C++.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fields.
• Experience leading a navigation operations team during pre-launch rehearsal campaigns and during live operations.
• Experience architecting and developing navigation operations processes for satellites.
• Experience using the Monte software package.
• Experience with electric propulsion satellite missions.
• Experience with radiometric orbit determination.
• Experience with GPS-based orbit determination.
• Experience in developing and testing flight dynamics software.
• Experience with maneuver planning software systems for space satellites.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the mission design lifecycle from conceptualization through operational flight.
• Experience working on and effectively communicating with a distributed team.
• Experience with DevOps processes including configuration control, continuous development and deployment workflows, Agile methodologies, software code review.
• Previous experience with software development tooling such as Jira, git, Jenkins, Docker and at least one IDE.
• Experience using generative AI tools to expedite and automate your workflow.
• Willingness or ability to acquire Active Top Secret (TS) / Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security clearance with Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) with polygraph preferred.

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.
• 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 EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.