Principal Space Vehicle System Design Lead

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.

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 National Security business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit. We are looking for someone to apply their vision, passion, technical expertise, leadership skills, and dedication to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Join us in enabling Blue Origin’s vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit earth - passion for our mission is required!

As a Principal Systems Engineer on a hardworking team of talented specialists, technicians, and engineers, you will function as the Space Vehicle System Design Lead for a unique customer mission within the Blue Ring Systems Engineering, Integration & Test organization, working closely with other system, software, hardware and integration & test engineers to develop the optimal space vehicle system solution for unique Blue Ring Spacecraft missions and customer needs. This position reports to the SEIT Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) Requirements, Architecture & Verification Director for the space mobility product line. This role will begin with a first-of-its-kind space vehicle in development and grow with the product line through multiple missions and objectives.

The successful candidate is a seasoned technical leader and recognized expert in all aspects of Space Vehicle system development, deployment and operational support. Your effectiveness stems from four integrated competency areas: (1) Technical Expertise — deep domain knowledge in space vehicle systems engineering, electronics, embedded software, controls algorithms, sensors, actuators, power systems, and data networks, combined with systems-level thinking that anticipates downstream impacts of design decisions; (2) Technical Leadership — sound judgment that balances innovation with reliability, fluency in design reviews, failure analysis acumen, and confident decision-making under uncertainty; (3) People & Team Dynamics — mentorship mindset, cross-functional influence, composure under pressure, and a collaborative style that fosters innovation and resilience; and (4) Strategic Vision & Organizational Impact — tying technical decisions to mission success and business goals, identifying organizational gaps before they escalate, and communicating a compelling technical vision across all levels. You hold yourself and your teams to the highest standards of engineering rigor.

There is no “standard day” for this role. You will lead a multi-disciplinary engineering team across all engineering development phases, from customer use case elicitation all the way to full-scale Assembly, Integration & Test (AI&T), launch vehicle integration, and mission operations. On any given day, you may be supporting Model-based Systems Engineers in architecting complex internal and external communications interfaces, leading a failure review board, reviewing Fault Management & System Autonomy script development, driving interface negotiations with vehicle teams, or mentoring a group of engineers through a gnarly systems integration challenge. Your breadth of expertise and technical judgment are the constant that ties it all together.

Responsibilities:

- Own the architectural technical baseline development for the assigned program; define and drive the technical vision, architecture, and long-term engineering roadmap for that program’s spacecraft solution for a unique customer mission
- Lead decomposition and allocation of requirements; establish and maintain system-level requirements, interface control documents, and design standards spacecraft subsystems
- Provide thought leadership and technical direction for mission CONOPS development and detailed mission planning
- Function as a technical lead for milestone reviews; participate as a non-advocate reviewer for cross-program architectural decisions
- Lead identification, assessment, and mitigation of complex system-level technical risks across all mission phases; drive technology maturation and identify emerging technology opportunities within the spacecraft development team
- Provide technical oversight and direction for the integration of spacecraft hardware, software, and control systems into test facilities and onto launch vehicles
- Develop and maintain model-based design frameworks, simulation environments, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and software-in-the-loop (SIL) test capabilities to accelerate verification and validation
- Collaborate with program leadership, chief engineers, and functional managers to align technical execution with cost, schedule, and mission objectives
- Champion engineering best practices, design criteria, and lessons learned
- Mentor and develop engineers at all levels; actively contribute to a culture of technical excellence, safety, and continuous learning
- Support and provide technical oversight during critical test campaigns and mission operations, both on-site and remotely
- Partner with Enterprise functions (Operations, Supply Chain, Mission Assurance) to ensure producibility, reliability, and cost-effectiveness spacecraft system designs

Minimum Qualifications:

- Minimum of a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or closely related technical field.
- 10+ years of experience in spacecraft design, command & control systems, space communications, avionics systems, or a closely related engineering field, with demonstrated progression to senior/lead technical roles
- Proven track record of leading complex, cross-functional technical programs or subsystems from concept through qualification and operational deployment
- Strong working knowledge of control theory, digital signal processing, and closed-loop system design for spacecraft systems
- Experience defining and managing system-level requirements, interfaces, and verification/validation strategies across hardware and software domains
- Demonstrated ability to lead and influence technical teams and stakeholders
- Proficiency in model-based design and simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink) and scripting languages (Python or equivalent)
- Direct experience with spacecraft communication protocols and emerging technologies
- Familiarity with, or experience in, Model-Based Systems Engineering, such as System Models and/or System Architecture diagrams
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex technical topics to audiences including senior leadership and customer organizations
- 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: