Principal Payload Systems Engineer (TS/SCI Required)

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

About the role

This role is part of the In-Space Systems business unit, focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit. We are seeking a Principal Payload Systems Engineer to manage the integration of optical terminals on spacecraft. This individual will apply customer management skills and systems engineering practices across various technical subject areas, supporting requirements analysis and traceability, functional and safety analysis, technical performance monitoring, and system product lifecycle processes.

Active TS/SCI clearance is required. Relocation assistance may be available for this position. Travel expectations: Up to 20% travel may be required for customer meetings, integration activities, and launch support.

Responsibilities

• Work with customers as a technical advocate for one or more payloads through the full payload lifecycle (execution of contract through payload integration and launch).
• Serve as the primary technical interface between Blue Origin and payload customers.
• Coordinate payload requirements, integration schedules, and technical documentation.
• Support the development of technical proposal content, including payload accommodation concepts, interface definitions, and mass/volume/power assessments in response to customer RFPs and RFIs.
• Collaborate with business development and capture teams to provide payload accommodation expertise and technical inputs that inform pricing, schedules, and programmatic commitments during the proposal lifecycle.
• Lead the development, allocation, and verification of requirements.
• Assist with the development of systems engineering processes and tools, ensure consistent implementation, and serve in a system integration capacity.
• Work with multi-discipline teams to arrive at technical system solutions.
• Develop and maintain interface control documents (ICDs) between payloads and spacecraft systems.
• Identify and manage technical risks throughout the payload integration process.
• Oversee payload integration activities, ensuring compliance with requirements and specifications.
• Support payload testing and verification activities.
• Coordinate with manufacturing and operations teams to ensure smooth transition from integration to launch.

Requirements

• Minimum of 10+ years of experience in systems engineering principles and execution.
• Experience in payload accommodation or spacecraft design, development, integration, and testing.
• Experience with project or program management.
• Able to work with minimal direction as well as collaboratively with cross-functional team members.
• Knowledge of current systems engineering and integration tools and methodologies.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace engineering.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. degree in a relevant technical field.
• 15 years of related experience.
• Experience leading the establishment and adherence of systems requirements for an aerospace project with a varied group of engineers across multiple disciplines.
• Experience with verification of requirements using tools like DOORS Next Generation, system lifecycle configuration management tools, and other functional analysis toolsets.
• Knowledgeable about system design and analysis and relations to element design at the flight and ground levels as well as component specification development.
• Experience with optical communications systems and terminals.
• Background in spacecraft bus systems and subsystem interfaces.

Pay

Base Pay Range:

• For CO applicants: $173,466.00 - $242,851.35
• For WA applicants: $183,193.00 - $256,469.85
• Other site ranges may differ.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Basic and supplemental life insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• Short and long-term disability.
• 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%.
• 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 additional benefits and bonuses based on individual contributions and company results.