Senior Director Software Engineering

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.

Blue Origin is seeking an experienced and visionary Senior Director of Software Engineering to lead a talented team of software engineers responsible for delivering mission-critical software systems supporting our New Glenn orbital launch vehicle program. This leader will oversee the development and delivery of embedded flight software, chassis test software, and certain ground software systems — all of which play a direct role in enabling safe, reliable, and reusable access to space.

This is a highly visible leadership role requiring a rare combination of deep technical depth, program execution experience, and the ability to inspire and grow high-performing engineering teams.

Special Mentions

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 20% of the time

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a multi-disciplinary team of software engineers spanning embedded flight software, chassis/test software, and ground systems
• Define and execute the software engineering roadmap aligned with New Glenn program milestones, launch schedules, and long-term vehicle reusability goals
• Own the full software development lifecycle — from requirements and architecture through integration, verification, and flight certification
• Drive engineering excellence through the adoption of rigorous software development processes, coding standards, and verification & validation methodologies appropriate for safety-critical aerospace systems
• Champion a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement across all software domains
• Partner with avionics, systems engineering, and test operations teams to ensure seamless hardware/software integration
• Collaborate with program management to develop accurate schedules, manage technical risk, and communicate software status to senior leadership and stakeholders
• Lead architectural decisions for embedded flight software systems including flight computers, sensor interfaces, and communication
• Oversee development and maintenance of a chassis test software platform used in qualification and acceptance testing of avionics hardware
• Recruit, hire, and retain top-tier software engineering talent; build organizational capacity to meet program growth demands
• Establish metrics and KPIs to track software quality, team productivity, and schedule performance
• Manage departmental budgets and resource allocation across multiple concurrent work streams

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field
• 15+ years of software engineering experience, with at least 5 years in senior leadership roles managing large engineering teams
• Demonstrated experience delivering embedded software for safety-critical or flight-critical systems (aerospace, defense, or similar regulated domains)
• Strong understanding of real-time operating systems (RTOS), embedded C/C++, and hardware/software integration
• Experience leading software verification and validation activities, including requirements traceability, unit testing, integration testing, and software qualification
• Proven ability to manage cross-functional programs, balance competing priorities, and deliver under schedule and budget constraints
• Excellent communication skills with demonstrated ability to present complex technical topics to executive leadership and non-technical stakeholders
• Experience building and scaling high-performing engineering organizations

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant engineering or computer science discipline
• Experience with launch vehicle, spacecraft, or missile systems software development
• Familiarity with DO-178C, NASA-STD-8739.8, or similar software safety and quality standards
• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and model-based software development tools (e.g., Simulink/autocoding)
• Familiarity with vehicle integration and test operations and associated test software architectures
• Prior experience at a launch vehicle manufacturer, defense prime contractor, or commercial space company

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $272,109.00 - $380,951.55

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

• 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 all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
• Paid Time Off:  Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
• Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on “Know Your Rights,” please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at [email protected]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.