Mission Systems Engineer II (TS/SCI Required)

About the role

Blue Origin’s In‑Space Systems business unit focuses on space infrastructure and increasing on‑orbit mobility. This position reports to Ground & Spaceflight Operations in the Blue Ring business unit and is part of a small, accomplished team of Mission Systems Engineers. You will work closely with space vehicle, mission operations, and ground system teams, supporting ground development tasks throughout the full system lifecycle. The role involves contributing innovative solutions, demonstrating personal leadership, technical competence, and attention to detail to ensure safe and reliable spaceflight.

Responsibilities

• Identify, derive, develop, and maintain Mission Systems requirements, including traceability and verification & validation approach.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including engineers representing flight vehicle systems, ground software, flight control operators, and payload customers.
• Define the ground system and data communications architectures and designs that enable highly effective and labor‑efficient real‑time spacecraft and ground system operation.
• Define and maintain ground element interface requirements and control documents.
• Plan and perform frequent mission system product update cycles, integration and test activities, and validation exercises leading to operations training events and flight.
• Conduct testing of ground system functionality and measure performance.
• Perform flight software to ground systems integration and test.
• Perform analysis to ensure operability across the Space‑Ground System, and support efforts to improve operability where justified.

Qualifications

• B.S. in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, physics, or related technical field.
• 2+ years of experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Ground Systems architecture in the context of spaceflight operations
  • Software development, particularly Python
  • Spacecraft operations: command & control, mission planning, flight dynamics
  • Implementing CCSDS communications protocols and standards
• Experience in a complex system lifecycle – requirement definition, design solution definition, implementation, integration, verification, validation, qualification, and operations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast‑paced, dynamic work environment.
• Active Top Secret Clearance desired (but not required).
• Experience with requirements management and traceability, preferably using DOORS Next Generation.
• Experience conducting end‑to‑end testing of large, complex systems.
• Experience designing RF communications, developing link budgets.
• Experience designing or operating spacecraft instruments and payloads.
• Experience developing, deploying, and maintaining software in a cloud computing environment (e.g., AWS or Azure).
• Experience with collaboration tools such as Confluence and JIRA.
• Familiarity with version control, preferably Git.
• Experience with configuration and product data management tools.

Pay

Base Pay Range:

• Virginia applicants: $107,136.00 – $149,990.40
• Colorado applicants: $98,208.00 – $137,491.20
• Other site ranges may differ.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Short and long‑term disability
• 401(k) with company match up to 5%
• Education Support Program
• Stock options for regular employees (working ≥20 hours/week)
• Paid Time Off: up to 4 weeks per year based on scheduled hours, plus up to 14 company‑paid holidays
• Additional benefits and bonuses may be offered based on role type, job level, and individual contributions (subject to change).

Culture Statement

Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies show some people are less likely to apply unless they meet every qualification. At Blue Origin we’re dedicated to building an authentic workplace. If you’re excited about this role but your experience isn’t a perfect match, we encourage you to apply anyway—you may be the right candidate for this or another role.