Manager - Avionics, GNC & Electronics

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 Blue Origin Engines business unit, where our focus is the design, development, manufacturing, and testing of engines and propulsion systems. Built for multiple uses, our family of engines is powering the next generation of rockets for commercial, civil, national security, and human spaceflight.

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 sits within Advanced Engines as the Project Engineer for the Controls team. Our team is responsible for the complete digital and physical control architecture for next-generation hardware—encompassing supervisory software, real-time PLC automation, instrumentation, electrical distribution, and operational technology (OT) infrastructure.

As part of a hardworking team of specialists and engineers, you will own the integrated engineering schedule, technical baseline, and delivery cadence across all controls disciplines. You will drive the daily operational rhythm of the team, resolve cross-functional bottlenecks, coordinate hardware-software integration, and ensure development builds transition smoothly into testing and production. You will also serve as the operational delegate for the Branch Lead during concurrent demands or absences.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

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- Own the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS): Build, maintain, and track the master schedule across software sprints, PLC logic releases, sensor procurement, electrical fabrication, and test facility activations. Identify critical paths and drive schedule recovery plans. Use modern project management tooling systems (e.g. Microsoft Project) to track and inform stakeholders and team members.
- Drive Daily Engineering Cadence & Unblocking: Run daily standups and operational syncs to identify technical, procurement, or facility roadblocks; work directly with engineering leads to remove blockers and keep velocity high.
- Lead Cross-Discipline Technical Integration: Serve as the primary operational and systems interface between Controls and partner engineering disciplines (Mechanical, Thermal, Fluids, Test Operations, and Safety). Own Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and resolve inter-team technical trade-offs.
- Manage Engineering Milestone Reviews: Plan, coordinate, and close out technical gate reviews (PDR, CDR, Test Readiness Reviews, and Operational Readiness Reviews), ensuring requirements verification and configuration baselines are met.
- Coordinate Procurement & Supplier Interlocks: Partner with Global Supply Chain to translate engineering schedules into long-lead component procurement triggers (sensors, controllers, custom enclosures, compute hardware); track supplier delivery milestones and factory acceptance tests (FAT).
- Drive Risk & Configuration Management: Maintain the risk and opportunity register, quantify schedule and technical exposure, and enforce change-management rigor across hardware and software release baselines.
- Support Branch Operations & Delegation: Act as operational delegate for the Branch Lead when needed, supporting team resource planning, engineering standards, and cross-program status reporting.

Minimum Qualifications

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- Passion for Blue Origin’s mission: Millions of people living and working in space!
- B.S. degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace, Systems, Controls, or Software Engineering (or related technical discipline).
- 8+ years of progressive experience in engineering project management, project engineering, or technical systems leadership delivering complex hardware/software, aerospace, or industrial automation systems.
- Demonstrated track record managing integrated master schedules, critical-path risk mitigation, and milestone delivery across multidisciplinary teams.
- Experience establishing and running daily operational rhythms (agile/scrum standups, technical syncs, blocker resolution).
- Broad technical literacy across industrial control systems: PLC architectures, supervisory/SCADA software, instrumentation, and electrical power distribution.
- Proven experience managing supplier delivery schedules and long-lead component procurement for mission-critical hardware.
- Strong written, verbal, and executive-level presentation skills; ability to distill technical complexity into clear programmatic decisions.
- Demonstrated ability to build trusting relationships, mentor engineers, and drive technical consensus across multi-disciplinary teams.
- 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

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- M.S. degree in Engineering, Systems Management, or technical MBA; PMP or INCOSE certification.
- Direct experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, propulsion test facility commissioning, or complex fluid system operations.
- Working knowledge of industrial safety and machinery standards (IEC 61508/61511, NFPA 70E, NFPA 85) and electrical panel standards (UL 508A).
- Experience transitioning development hardware and prototype baselines into repeatable manufacturing configurations.
- Prior experience serving as an Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead, Technical Lead, or Deputy Lead.
- Advanced proficiency with modern project management toolchains: Jira, Confluence, GitLab, and scheduling tools (MS Project, Primavera, Smartsheet).

Culture & Additional Information

Culture & Inclusivity 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.

Benefits & Total Rewards

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 regular employees. Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays. Discretionary bonuses based on company and individual performance.

Base Pay Range for:
WA applicants is $150,743.00 - $211,039.50

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement