Lunar Operations Safety 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 is part of the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin’s Blue Moon landers and related products. To further Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.

We are a team of collaborators, doers, and problem-solvers who are relentlessly committed to a culture of safety. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable space flight. Join us in lowering the cost of access to space and enabling Blue Origin’s vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth.

This role is part of Lunar Permanence Mission Operations, which develops the mission operations systems, infrastructure, software, and procedures that support Blue Origin’s multiple lunar landers. To further Blue Origin's mission of having millions of people living and working in space, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.

As part of a hardworking team of flight operations professionals, you will assist in developing and operating lunar spaceflight and ground systems with a focus on operational safety. This is not a passive job where you receive and evaluate work by others, rather you will use your existing experience to develop and refine operational Functional Hazard Assessments (FHAs) and Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECAs). You will work closely with other mission operations/mission systems, safety, engineering, programmatic and customer personnel to develop and refine operations related Hazard Reports and resulting Operational Controls. You will then work to implement these controls into operational products including procedures, plans, tools, etc., including relevant verification and validation. You will be responsible for leading, performing, and coordinating safety analyses to identify hazards, causes, controls, mitigations, and risk characterization.

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

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

- Lead the development and maintenance of Mission Operations/Mission Systems focused FHAs, FMECAs, and Fault Tree Analysis (FTA).
- Develop and support related Hazard Reports, including providing and refining operational content.
- Develop plans and coordinate completion of Mission Operations safety analysis, providing review, guidance, and expertise of safety analysis products.
- Work with Human Integration to develop appropriate operational controls to mitigate findings from Human Error Analysis
- Work with Safety to develop appropriate operational controls in response to hazard analysis when hazards cannot be mitigated by design
- Ensure Operational Safety controls are implemented into Mission Operations/Mission Systems operational products and related tools/models including procedures, telemetry displays, handbooks, flight rules and operational data files
- Work with ground and flight software teams to recommend safety related updates that increase the efficiency of operations
- Work with system and subsystem engineers to recommend safety related design improvements and operational techniques for lunar spacecraft operations
- Support verification and validation of safety and reliability requirements and ensure traceability between system and subsystem functions, requirements, and safety artifacts
- Support mission operations during lunar vehicle flights, which may include occasional work outside of normal business hours

Minimum Qualifications

- Minimum B.S. degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Systems, or related Engineering field
- 6+ years of system safety or systems engineering experience, including requirements definition, requirements traceability, functional decomposition, integration, verification, and validation
- In-depth experience with performing safety analyses on safety critical systems
- Ability to lead and coordinate safety analysis products across stakeholders and experts from varying engineering teams to produce safety products
- Knowledge of spacecraft system and subsystem functionality
- Exhibit safety mentality combined with a consistent initiative to enhance systems, processes, and documentation
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills and ability to communicate technical information effectively

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience with human spaceflight operations
- Experience with both NASA and industry operational safety practices
- Experience with certification of human-rated space systems
- Previous experience as a spacecraft operator or flight controller, including time on console or in a control room

Base Pay Range for:
WA applicants is $121,023.00 - $169,432.20

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