Astrodynamics Operations - Lead Engineer Blue Ring
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 Mobilityand 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 OperationsEngineerin the Astrodynamics and TrajectoryeXecutionteam (ATX), youlead flight-specificastrodynamicsoperations ofaBlue Ringmission, which will consist ofdesigningboth high-thrust and low-thrust vehicle maneuvers, andprocessing measurements forground-based orbit determination, andensuringtheiraccurate implementationwithin the greater ground system. You will work closely with our mission planningand spaceflight operationsteamsto convert astrodynamics-related vehicle activities into ground-based commands. You willinterface withvertically-integratedastrodynamicsalgorithms. Whileassistingwith 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 ATXteamworks 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.
- LeadLive Mission Operations:Design and execute critical maneuvers during flight operations with real-time decision making.
- Lead the Pre-Launch Navigation Ops Activities:Developnavigation rehearsal processes, day-in-the-life ops simulations,consolelogs, andfacilitatethe integration of flight dynamics software.
- DriveAutomation:Automate astrodynamics operations processes to the limits that are possible as Blue Ring grows into fleet-wide operations.
- Collaborate Across Disciplines:Work closely withmission 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 itsexecution in the operational ground system.
- Deliver Excellence:Present results and support critical design reviews using Agile development methodologies.
- Enable Mission Success:Performmissionanalysis 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 requiresgood communications.
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related fields.
3+ years of proven experience focusedonsatellitemission design.
Experience performingground-basedspacecraftorbit determination ormaneuvering inliveoperations.
Strong fundamentalsinastrodynamics, high-thrusttrajectoryoptimization, and low-thrust trajectory optimization.
Applied experience in navigationtools such asMonte, 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.
M.S.or Ph.D.in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fields.
Experience leading a navigation operations teamduring pre-launch rehearsal campaigns and during live operations.
Experiencearchitectingand developingnavigation operations processesforsatellites.
Experience using the Montesoftware package.
Experience with electric propulsion satellite missions.
Experience with radiometric orbit determination.
Experience with GPS-based orbit determination.
Experience in developingand testingflight dynamics software.
Experience with maneuver planning software systemsforspace 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.
Previousexperience with software development tooling such as Jira, git, Jenkins, Docker and at least one IDE.
Experience using generative AI tools to expediteand automateyour workflow.
Willingnessor ability toacquireActive 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 - $219,522.45Don’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.
Description
- 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.
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.
- How much does the Astrodynamics Operations - Lead Engineer Blue Ring at Blue Origin pay?
- The posting lists a range of $157K–$220K per year. Ranges reflect what Blue Origin publicly declared on the source posting.
- Where is this Astrodynamics Operations - Lead Engineer Blue Ring role based?
- The role is based in Reston, VA.
- What experience does Blue Origin expect for this role?
- The posting is tagged as a lead-level role, typically 7+ years of experience. Check the requirements section for specifics.
- How was this posting sourced?
- This role was pulled directly from Blue Origin's Workday careers site. Apply links open in the employer's own ATS — no reposts or aggregator middleware.
Apply links open in the employer's official ATS. Always verify recruitment messages on the company's careers page before sharing personal information.