Payload Operations Engineer III (TS/SCI Required)

Application Close Date: Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

About the role

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We develop reusable, safe, and low‑cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. This position is part of the In‑Space Systems business unit, focused on space infrastructure and increasing on‑orbit mobility, and also belongs to the Blue National Security (BNS) Business Unit, which delivers resilient, mission‑critical space capabilities such as Blue Ring to support national defense objectives. As a Payload Operations Engineer supporting Blue Ring, you will ensure mission readiness by developing hosted and separable payload operational concepts, preparing essential operations products, and serving on the on‑console team during mission execution. You will collaborate extensively with engineers across space and ground segments to ensure successful payload operations and mission planning on orbit.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of hosted and separable payload mission plans, operations concepts, tools, and processes that enable highly effective real‑time operations.
• Develop and implement detailed spacecraft payload operations procedures, executables, telemetry displays, and other technical documentation.
• Conduct testing and validation of payload operations products using a variety of hardware and software simulation environments.
• Support mission planning efforts with geographically separated payload teams to ensure operational objectives are met during on‑orbit operations.
• Support the development of the overall spacecraft concept of operations, ensuring payload operability and efficiency.
• Create detailed test procedures alongside systems engineering teams to validate end‑to‑end ground‑to‑payload system capabilities.
• Support mission readiness activities including mission rehearsals, timeline development, and post‑launch test planning.
• Monitor payload state‑of‑health, perform trending and analysis on performance data, and track system configurations throughout on‑orbit execution.
• Serve as liaison between payload customers and Blue Ring operations team during pre‑launch coordination as well as during long‑term operations.
• Support development of payload operations sequencing and incorporation into the mission planning system.
• Provide occasional shift work and on‑call availability during mission‑critical phases, anomaly resolution, and key customer milestones.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of proven experience in spacecraft operations development or execution.
• Active Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) U.S. Government security clearance.
• Experience developing spacecraft or hosted payload operations products such as procedures, telemetry displays, or technical documents.
• Experience supporting external customers or government teams.
• Ability to support on‑console activities, including shift work, in a dynamic, real‑time environment.
• U.S. citizenship or national status, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawful refugee/asylee status.

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. in Space Systems, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Aerospace Engineering.
• Direct support for a commercial or government spacecraft operations organization.
• Proficiency with command‑and‑control scripting languages (e.g., Python, SPELL, STOL, JAS).
• Experience with virtualized ground software (e.g., command & control, mission planning, flight dynamics, electronic procedures).
• Experience with mission planning and contact planning tools.
• Experience with satellite fault management and/or onboard autonomy.
• Familiarity with designing and evaluating operational readiness tests integrated with hardware‑in‑the‑loop and software‑in‑the‑loop simulators.

Pay

Base Pay Range for Washington applicants is $130,706.00 – $182,987.70. Other site ranges may differ.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage.
• 401(k) with company match up to 5%.
• Education Support Program.
• Stock options for regular employees working at least 20 hours/week.
• Paid Time Off: up to four 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 company discretion.

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 value an authentic workplace—if you’re excited about this role but your experience isn’t a perfect match, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or another position.

Export Control Regulations: Applicants 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.