Orbit Engineer Jobs in Virginia (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.

This role supports Blue National Security, which is pioneering the development, manufacturing, and operation of Blue Ring- a groundbreaking space-mobility platform that unlocks unparalleled access to any orbit and the freedom to maneuver between orbits at will. With Blue Ring, our customers are empowered to go anywhere in cislunar or Earth orbit domains, redefine mission flexibility, and pursue bold new concepts that were once beyond reach. If you're energized by the idea of working with a platform capable enabling missions without compromise, this is your moment to make history with us.

As a Mission Operations Engineer, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams spanning both space and ground segments to ensure the readiness and flawless execution of on-orbit flight operations for Blue Ring spacecraft. You'll play a key role in developing operational concepts, producing critical operations products, and providing on-console support during early on-orbit mission phases. Your expertise and initiative will directly enable Blue Origin to deliver and sustain next-generation space capabilities for a variety of customers. The ideal candidate is a systems thinker with a relentless end-user and customer focus, deep attention to detail, and the drive to build Blue Ring's mission operations from the ground up.

Join us in enabling Blue Origin's vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit earth - passion for our mission is required!

Special Mentions

• Based at Reston, VA or Denver, CO office. Relocation provided.
• On-console shift work at Reston expected up to 20% of the time

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Contribute to mission planning, operations concepts, tools, and processes that enable highly effective and labor-efficient real-time spacecraft and ground system operation.
• Work in multidisciplinary teams to develop detailed operations procedures, executables, telemetry displays, technical documentation, and other products.
• Drive operations toward ever-increasing levels of efficiency and reliability through ground system automation and the application of AI/ML technologies.
• Ensure deliverables meet applicable quality standards, while promoting maximum reuse and backward compatibility.
• Conduct testing and validation of ops products using a variety of hardware and software simulation environments that span the space and ground domains.
• Support systems engineering and other disciplines in developing a spacecraft concept of operations, ensuring efficiency and operability for the end-user.
• Create detailed test procedures to validate end-to-end system capabilities.
• Analyze and assess ground station selection for optimal communications availability.
• Support communications spectrum licensing efforts through coordination with internal and external regulatory authorities.
• Support mission readiness activities including mission rehearsals, mission timeline development, and post-launch test development.
• Provide on-console support during spacecraft launch and early orbit phase, including shift work, from Blue Origin's mission control facilities.
• Monitor spacecraft state-of-health across all subsystems, perform trending and analyses, and track spacecraft and ground system configurations.
• Support the troubleshooting and resolution of on-orbit anomalies as part of an anomaly response team.
• Foster continuous improvement by contributing, tracking, and implementing lessons-learned for the benefit of future missions.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in Aerospace, Computer Science, Electrical, Systems, or related fields
• 3+ years of proven experience in spacecraft operations development and execution, including real-time support for on-orbit operations.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas:
  • Spacecraft operations product development and execution
  • Real-time support for on-orbit operations
  • Hosted or separable payload operations
  • Mission planning, timeline development, and analysis
  • Spacecraft telemetry trending and analysis
  • Ground system and software architecture
  • Space-to-ground communications
  • Operations automation and application of AI/ML to ops workflows
• Ability to earn trust, build positive professional relationships, contribute to a culture of inclusion, and collaborate with individuals of various backgrounds to achieve mission success.
• 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

• Active TS/SCI Security Clearance
• M.S. in Space Systems, Computer Science, or Aerospace Engineering
• On-console experience as a Spacecraft Controller
• Direct support for a commercial or government spacecraft operations organization, as well as a deep understanding of their use cases and approach to operations.
• Experience with multi-manifest spacecraft missions and developing operations for hosted or separable payloads.
• Proficiency with Python and/or command-and-control scripting languages.
• Experience working with virtualized Ground Software (e.g., Command & Control, Mission Planning, Flight Dynamics, Electronic Procedures, Software Simulators)
• Experience with mission planning and contact planning tools.
• Experience with scrum methodology and agile product development.
• Experience in full development lifecycle of space systems' ground segments.
• Mission analysis, flight planning and timeline development (tool and analysis)
• Experience designing and evaluating operational readiness tests integrated with hardware-in-the-loop, and software-in-the-loop simulators.
• Experience with operational fault and anomaly management.
• Experience with performing system safety analyses including Functional Hazard Assessments (FHA), Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analyses (FMECA), and Fault Tree Analysis (FTA)

Base Pay Range for:

VA applicants is $107,136.00 - $149,990.40 CO applicants is $98,208.00 - $137,491.20

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