Principal Ground Navigation Engineer

About the role

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 the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin’s Blue Moon landers and related products. To further Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface. As part of a hardworking team of engineers, you will join our Mission Design and Ground Navigation team within the Mission Operations System IPT. You will share in the team’s impact on all aspects of the trajectory for spacecraft from Earth to the Moon! As a Principal Ground Navigation Engineer on the Mission Design and Ground Navigation team, you serve as a technical authority for ground-based radiometric measurements and orbit determination. You architect next-generation operational flight dynamics software, define the standards and processes that ensure navigation accuracy across Blue Origin's lunar programs, and mentor a growing team of navigation engineers. Your work directly enables mission success — from establishing tracking data requirements and coordinating with ground station networks, to training flight dynamics operators and providing real-time navigation support during critical mission phases. 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.

Responsibilities

• Guiding Ground Navigation Trades and Analysis. Apply your subject matter expertise in statistical orbit determination to guide analysis and trades
• Collaborating Across Disciplines. Interface with GNC, systems engineering, and flight operations to ensure ground navigation processes are properly integrated and validated end-to-end
• Representing Blue Origin to External Partners. Interface with tracking providers and customers
• Developing Flight Dynamics Software. Design architectures and build software to meet evolving mission needs
• Performing Ground Navigation Operations. Contribute to live, ground-based orbit determination for both crewed and uncrewed lunar missions
• Collaborating Across Business Units. Serve as a key technical reviewer for navigation-related design reviews across business units
• Mentoring and Leading. Provide technical leadership and mentorship to navigation engineers; establish best practices for algorithm development, testing, and verification

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fields
• 12+ years of proven experience focused on trajectory analysis, flight dynamics, or ground navigation
• Strong track record developing and implementing orbit determination algorithms
• Deep expertise in radiometric navigation techniques (Doppler and ranging)
• Strong fundamentals in astrodynamics, orbital mechanics, and estimation theory
• Applied experience in the full ground navigation lifecycle from conceptualization through operational flight support
• Experience coordinating with the Deep Space Network for tracking and data acquisition
• Proficiency in one or more of: Julia, Python, C++, Rust, or MATLAB
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• 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

• M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fields
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