Director - Avionics, GNC & Electronics

Application close date:

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! 

As part of a hardworking team of talented spacecraft development engineers, you will manage the development and delivery of the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) Subsystem for an advanced spaceflight vehicle. Your responsibilities will include synthesis of algorithms, creation of flight software, derivation and development of subsystem requirements, performing analyses and trade studies, and supporting the full lifecycle of GN&C subsystem design through flight completion. 

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

• Lead GN&C development team including GN&C Software/Algorithm development, 6 DOF simulation, sensor selection (star trackers, sun sensors, GPS, IMUs), reaction wheel sizing and selection, GN&C analysis and architecture, and flight autonomy 
• Manage the technical team of experienced GN&C analysts, system engineers, software, and hardware engineers 
• Responsible for cost & schedule execution, vendor selection and vendor management 
• Lead GN&C HIL support and support integration of algorithms into flight SW 
• Lead and perform analyses, simulations, and tests (including component and hardware-in-the-loop) to verify component and subsystem specifications and requirements 
• Lead development of verification and validation plans to ensure software and hardware components, and the integrated subsystem will perform as specified to meet system and subsystem requirements 
• Provide technical direction and oversight to development of sensor solutions by suppliers 
• Manage technical risks for the GN&C subsystem, develop and execute mitigation plans 
• Support the project manager for updates to schedule, resources, cost, and risks 
• Lead subsystem gated reviews, and support program reviews 
• Lead on-vehicle functional testing and flight demonstration testing of the GN&C subsystem

• B.S. degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical engineering or related disciplines with at least 10 years of design experience 
• Experience in development and analysis of GN&C algorithms 
• Experience in leading the full development lifecycle of an GN&C subsystem on at least one aerospace program
• Experience in managing technical teams
• Solid system engineering and configuration management skills 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
• Highly organized and capable of planning and guiding complex technical work 
• Ability to execute in a dynamic, fast-paced, and driven work environment 

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical engineering or related disciplines 
• Demonstrated experience with MATLAB and Simulink and associated autocoding practices 
• Demonstrated experience in development and testing of navigation sensors and control actuators 
• Demonstrated experience in implementation and testing of GN&C software and hardware 
• Demonstrated advanced knowledge in the development of planetary spacecraft GN&C systems

Compensation Range for:

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.