Avionics Operations Engineer III

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!

This role supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a single-configuration, heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to low-Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar, and beyond. Its first stage is fully reusable, and the vehicle was designed from the beginning to be human-capable.

This role is part of the Orbital Launch Engineering Avionics team. We are a small, passionate and accomplished team of operations experts. You will develop, manage, support, andexecute integrated tests and operations for various spaceflight systems on New Glenn up to and including launch.

As part of a diverse and hardworking team of engineers and technicians, you will contribute to the test and operation of Avionics Guidance Navigation Controls (GNC) SW/HW (IMUs, NAV Sensors, controls, GPS) & Main Flight Computing HW/SW spaceflight systems. You will share in the team’s impact on all aspects of mission success for the New Glenn orbital launch vehicle.

Responsibilities:

You will be responsible for processing your assigned vehicle systems, from stage receipt at the launch site through launch and landing. You will help develop and maintain production schedules, quality documents, and engineering. You will work with other element teams to develop, interpret, and consume operational requirements and produce engineering work orders, technical plans, procedures, HMI displays, and other data products that are required to prepare and launch operational flight vehicles. You will also be responsible for interfacing with the embedded software development team when necessary for deployment and updating of Operational Flight Programs (OFP) to the vehicle avionics. As a test/operations engineer, you will ensure the launch vehicle and associated ground systems are integrated and prepared for launch and flight.

As this role directly conducts launches this position requires candidates to work shifts including nights and weekends.

To prepare for launch, , write sequencer code, and create controller panels. During preparations, you will need to perform hands-on troubleshooting and testing as required. You will certify as a launch engineer controller, ultimately operating your assigned systems on launch day. You will determine and correct anomaly causes, often during time-critical operations. After flight, you will perform data reviews and incorporate process improvements. Training will continue to increase the operators knowledge of other avionics systems for launch operations.

The ideal candidate has GNC theory of operation knowledge, launch vehicle operations experience, flight computing/command and data handling knowledge, is familiar with SW development and HIL testing, is highly detail-oriented and future-thinking, can manage a broad set of diverse data, has programming experience in QT/Python, and has a deep passion for Blue Origin’s mission. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your dedicated commitment and detailed attention to safe and repeatable spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Minimum Qualifications:

- B.S. Degree in Aerospace, Electical, Mechnical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics or Math

- 5+ years industry experience in Avionics GNC Design, Test, Integration and/or Operations, launch systems, aerospace, or satellite operations

- Experience with code review process and SCI’'s, experience using CLI, basic knowledge of avionics network systems and routing tables.

- Knowledge of firmware vs software use in avionics components (FPGA’s, PLC’s, etc). Demonstrated field operations, coordinating activities with technicians and other engineering teams

- Strong operations planning and organizational skills

- Effective technical communications capabilities and must be comfortable speaking over communication within a launch control room.

- Ability to support off shift work schedules during launch and/or test campaigns

- 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:

- Demonstrated control room or operations experience in a real-time, intense, and high consequence environment

- Detailed knowledge of Avionics Navigation theory including calculating coordinate transformations, satellite measurement data, and GPS theory

- Experience with HWIL/SWIL/Simulations Test

- Programming languages or equivalent: Qt, Simulink, MATLAB, WinPlot, Epsilon, Python

- Demonstrated successful experience writing technical procedures, non-conformance documentation, and specifications

- Experience with Ethernet/CCDL/RS-422/RS-485 based communication protocols

- Strong safety record and mindset, including hands-on experience planning and conducting hazardous or critical tests and operations

- Experience leading test teams as a Test Conductor or Test Engineer

- Effective team leadership skills

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