Senior Systems Engineer 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! 

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 a satellite constellation of orbital data centers, Sunrise, designed to transform how compute infrastructure is deployed and leveraged.

As a Sr. Systems Engineer you will be a primary technical authority and change agent, leading the evolution of our systems engineering practices. You will champion and implement novel, model-based approaches, moving beyond traditional documentation-centric methods to embrace a more integrated, digital, and iterative workflow. You are a novel thinker who thrives in a fast-paced environment, capable of leading complex system development from concept through deployment with a focus on rapid iteration and continuous integration. This senior, hands-on role demands expert-level systems thinking and the ability to drive both technical execution and cultural change.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead the development and maturation of the system's "digital twin" using Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies.
• Define, manage, and allocate system requirements, interfaces, and behaviors directly within a system model (e.g., using SysML)
• Facilitate and lead systems engineering execution, including rapid verification, validation, and flowing back lessons learned.  
• Drive system-level trade studies and analyses using model-based simulations to inform design decisions rapidly and efficiently.
• Collaborate continuously with hardware, software, integration, and test teams to ensure tight alignment throughout the development lifecycle.
• Champion and define the verification and validation (V&V) strategy within a model-based framework, ensuring tests are directly linked to model elements and requirements.
• Develop and implement new and innovative systems engineering processes and tools that increase velocity and reduce ambiguity.
• Mentor other engineers across various disciplines on MBSE best practices and agile systems engineering principles.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in systems engineering for complex, multidisciplinary systems (e.g., aerospace, automotive, robotics, or data centers).
• Demonstrated expertise in the principles and application of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
• Proven experience working within a fast, iterative development environment on hardware-centric projects.
• Strong fundamentals in requirements analysis, interface management, system integration, and verification.
• Proven ability to lead technical projects and influence cross-functional teams with minimal supervision.
• Experience bringing a commercialized product to market.
• Experience through a full program live cycle from design to verification and validation

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's or Ph.D. in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Expertise with MBSE tools such as Cameo Systems Modeler/MagicDraw, Sparx EA, or similar, and proficiency in languages like SysML or UAF.
• Direct experience operationalizing digital twins for verification, validation, and operations.
• Experience transitioning a team or program from traditional, document-based systems engineering to modern, model-based practices.
• Formal training or certification in agile methodologies (e.g., Certified ScrumMaster, SAFe Agilist).
• Experience serving as a Lead Systems Engineer, Product Owner, or Scrum Master in a technical engineering environment.
• Proficiency in scripting (e.g., Python, MATLAB) to automate analysis and connect models to other tools.
• Familiarity or fluency with AI tools and their application in systems modeling or requirements analysis.

Additional Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or eligible for authorization under U.S. export regulations.

Base Pay Range for:

CO applicants is $133,500.00 - $186,898.95
WA applicants is $145,188.00 - $203,263.20

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

• 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.