Systems Engineer Jobs in Sumner, WA (NOW HIRING)

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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 Blue National Security business unit, which is focused on delivering advanced space-based capabilities in support of national security, civil, and commercial missions. Within the Advanced System organization, the multi-disciplinary Future Concepts & Capabilities team operates at the forefront of systems engineering, formulation, and architecture, developing next-generation space systems that address the most demanding and consequential challenges in the space domain.

Role Overview

Blue Origin is seeking a Senior pLEO Systems Engineer to serve as a technical architect and driving force behind our proliferated Low Earth Orbit (pLEO) mission and constellation proposals. In this role, you will bridge the gap between customer mission requirements and executable system design-working hands-on with embedded engineering teams to ground proposal-level architecture in real subsystem and hardware constraints. You will own the technical narrative for Design Reference Missions (DRMs), lead trade studies spanning orbital geometry, launch vehicle selection, and verification strategy, and translate complex mission requirements into credible, compelling technical solutions. This is a high-visibility role at the intersection of systems engineering, mission architecture, and business development, directly shaping how Blue Origin wins and executes next-generation pLEO programs.

Special Mentions

• Relocation assistance is provided for this position.
• This role requires up to 25% travel.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide end-to-end systems engineering support across the bus and mission architecture, partnering closely with embedded engineering teams to deeply understand subsystem design, hardware implementation, and design nuances at a detailed technical level
• Develop technical architecture for RFI/RFP responses, translating customer requirements into system-level architecture, budgets, and technical approach across mission and bus scope, for review and approval by technical leadership
• Define high-level interfaces and technical budgets at both the bus and mission level (mass, power, propellant, link) sufficient to support proposal-level costing, feasibility, and technical credibility
• Propose the verification and compliance approach for proposed missions, presenting recommended V&V structure and strategy for leadership sign-off
• Conduct orbital geometry analysis and associated trade studies, presenting design options and recommendations to inform mission and constellation design decisions
• Conduct launch vehicle assessments and compliance trade studies, presenting findings to inform vehicle selection and integration approach within proposed solutions
• Develop Design Reference Missions (DRMs) as the primary technical narrative translating customer mission requirements into proposed system architecture and performance claims
• Support capture and business development teams by preparing technical content and recommendations
• Prepare technical materials and talking points for technical interchange meetings and orals, in support of leadership-led customer engagements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field
• Demonstrated systems engineering execution experience across multiple programs and customers (government and commercial), providing the technical grounding to architect credible, executable proposals
• Experience getting hands-on with subsystem/hardware-level design details, and working directly with embedded engineering teams to understand implementation-level constraints
• Experience with pLEO architectures and constellation-scale programs, including trade studies across the full program lifecycle (design through deployment)
• Direct experience authoring technical proposal volumes and/or supporting technical response strategy for RFIs/RFPs
• Working understanding of V&V and AI&T / SEIT processes, sufficient to propose and defend a technical approach during bid processes
• Experience translating program execution realities (cost, schedule, manufacturability) into proposal-level technical claims
• 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

• Experience in satellite flight operations
• Experience in Ground Systems implications and needs for pLEO constellation designs and coverages
• Strong understanding of reliability, redundancy, and fault-tolerant system design
• Experience conducting re-entry and disposal risk analysis (e.g., ODMSP, casualty risk assessment)
• TS/SCI clearance preferred but not required; must be eligible for clearance

Base Pay Range for:

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.