Senior Flight Software Engineer - GNC & Propulsion

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 Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE), supporting Blue Origin’s mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. The team fosters innovation and drives engineering workflows of the future, shared solutions and standards, simplicity and lower costs, and manufacturable design.

Join Blue Origin as we build infrastructure in space for the benefit of Earth. We're developing Project Sunrise, a constellation of orbital data centers designed to transform how compute infrastructure is deployed and leveraged at an unprecedented scale. 

As a Senior Flight Software Engineer specializing in Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC), you will be at the heart of the spacecraft's autonomy and maneuvering capabilities. You will be responsible for implementing and verifying the GNC algorithms that control our exceptionally large and complex satellites. A primary focus of this role will be to develop the flight software that commands and manages the propulsion system, including the intricate firing sequences for the thrusters and their coupling with a multi-kilowatt Power Processing Unit (PPU). Your work will directly enable the station-keeping, collision avoidance, and orbital adjustments necessary for the entire constellation. 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Design, develop, and implement the flight software for the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) subsystem. 

• Implement and verify control algorithms for the propulsion system, with a specific focus on thruster firing logic and PPU integration. 

• Develop robust software interfaces between the GNC system, the flight computer, and propulsion hardware. 

• Create and maintain high-fidelity, hardware-in-the-loop simulations to validate GNC and propulsion software performance across all operational scenarios. 

• Analyze flight data to assess on-orbit GNC performance and recommend improvements. 

• Collaborate closely with GNC analysts and propulsion hardware engineers to ensure seamless integration and performance. 

• Contribute to the full lifecycle of software development, from requirements analysis and design to integration, testing, and on-orbit support. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field. 

• 5+ years of experience in developing flight software for spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) systems. 

• Strong programming skills in C/C++ and/or Rust in a real-time embedded environment. 

• Demonstrated experience with control system design, GNC algorithm implementation, and simulation. 

• Experience with the full software development lifecycle for mission-critical systems. 

• 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: 

• Master's degree or PhD in a relevant field. 

• Experience with electric propulsion systems, particularly Hall thrusters or high-power PPUs. 

• Deep understanding of spacecraft flight dynamics, orbital mechanics, and attitude determination and control. 

• Proficiency with simulation tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, STK, or similar. 

• Familiarity with software assurance standards such as NASA-STD-8739.8, NPR 7150.2, ECSS-Q-ST-80C, or equivalent (e.g., DO-178C), and with embedded coding standards such as the JPL Institutional Coding Standard, MISRA C/C++, or CERT C/C++. 

• Experience working on large-scale satellite constellations or complex, multi-subsystem space vehicles. 

Special Mentions: 

• Travel may be required up to 10% of the time. 

• Relocation assistance available. 

Base Pay Range for:

VA applicants is $197,529.00 - $276,539.55
CO applicants is $181,626.00 - $254,275.35
WA applicants is $197,529.00 - $276,539.55

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.