Principal Ground Navigation Engineer
About the role
This role is part of the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin’s Blue Moon landers and related products. The role serves as a technical authority for ground-based radiometric measurements and orbit determination, architecting next-generation operational flight dynamics software, defining standards and processes for navigation accuracy, and mentoring a growing team of navigation engineers.
Responsibilities
- Guiding ground navigation trades and analysis using statistical orbit determination techniques
- Collaborating across disciplines, interfacing with GNC, systems engineering, and flight operations
- Representing Blue Origin to external partners, interfacing with tracking providers and customers
- Developing flight dynamics software, designing architectures, and building software to meet evolving mission needs
- Performing ground navigation operations, contributing to live orbit determination for both crewed and uncrewed lunar missions
- Collaborating across business units, serving as a key technical reviewer for navigation-related design reviews across business units
- Mentoring and leading, providing technical leadership and mentorship to navigation engineers; establishing best practices for algorithm development, testing, and verification
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree 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
Qualifications
- 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 in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fields
- 15+ years of proven experience focused on trajectory analysis, flight dynamics, or ground navigation
- Experience in cislunar navigation
- Experience leading a navigation team through design, development, and operational flight
- Experience performing spacecraft operations (e.g., navigation support, maneuver planning, or real-time anomaly resolution)
- Experience using the Monte software package
- Experience with DevOps processes including configuration control, continuous development and deployment workflows, Agile methodologies, and software code review
- Experience with software development tooling such as Jira, git, Jenkins, Docker, Visual Studio, or VSCode
Pay
Base Pay Range: $173,466.00 - $242,851.35 for CO applicants, $183,193.00 - $256,469.85 for WA applicants. Other site ranges may differ.
Culture
Blue Origin is dedicated to building an authentic workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We believe in fostering a culture of trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability coverage, 401(k) with a company match, and an Education Support Program. We also offer stock options, paid time off, and the opportunity to participate in bonus programs based on individual contributions and company performance.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Blue Origin is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all qualified individuals are given the opportunity to work. We strive to attract, retain, and develop a diverse workforce. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide equal opportunities for all applicants and employees without regard to 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.