Director, Software & Autonomous Ground Systems

Application close date:

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!

We are looking for a highly skilled, experienced, and motivated engineering leader to help us build software that enables safe human spaceflight. You will lead the team applying the concepts of traditional software that is AI inspired with a background in autonomy and advanced control to ensure the department meets the performance standards and software deliveries on schedule to support our launch cadence. This will include leading the development of our full cycle software design processes to improve the team's efficiency at delivering our codes for test and flight operations.

As part of the Ground Autonomy group, you will support development of autonomous operations applied during critical launch operations spanning hour and seconds before launch. You should be comfortable in working in an ambiguous environment, contributing to innovative solutions using AI, while demonstrating individual leadership, technical competence, and attention to detail. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your dedicated commitment and detailed attention toward safe and repeatable spaceflight.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Enable the team to build high quality control software by coaching them on best practices, removing obstacles, and ensuring the solutions being delivered are scalable and extensible
• Partner with the product and project management teams to define the roadmap for the Autonomy team, both short term and long term
• Recruit, hire, mentor, and grow the engineers on your team
• Lead a cross-functional technical team to mature technologies, innovate to reach breakthroughs, and accomplish specific objectives for adding new technologies, such as AI, into key development programs
• Lead the software direction through clear project priorities and operations/use case clarifications
• Coordinate with ground operators and subsystem designers to understand system coupling, constraints, and other design considerations
• Support software verification efforts, including HIL qualification test programs
• Travel - This role will require monthly travel between Kent and our Florida location for the first year, tapering off after that

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in an engineering discipline such as aerospace, electrical, mechanical, or chemical. Experience in leveraging AI and Large Language Models and Agents to accelerate software production and deployment.
• 10+ years of experience focused on development of autonomy for complex processes and/or aerospace autonomy/GNC. Experience in the development of advance process control techniques is a plus.
• Experience in development, implementation, and testing of Autonomy on ground systems that include human machine interfaces
• Experience in test, verification and validation of complex algorithms, simulations, and software
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing lean teams on fast-paced projects
• Demonstrated experience in software development from initial architecture to deployed systems
• Leadership and management experience as well as a history of mentoring
• Highly organized and capable of planning and guiding complex technical work
• Demonstrated ability to perform both theoretical (e.g., modeling, simulation, analysis, design) and applied (implementation, testing, and validation) development of sophisticated algorithms and data processing techniques

Desired Qualifications:

• M.S. or Ph.D. in aerospace, electrical, mechanical, chemical, or related engineering
• Experience with MATLAB and Simulink
• Experience with PLC/DCS for industrial applications
• Experience with HMI design and alarm management
• Experience with discrete or continuous control systems
• Hands-on experience with hardware-in-the-loop testing and test development
• Demonstrated ability to model, simulate, and validate the behavior of sensor and actuator subsystems across multiple domains (e.g. electro-hydraulic, power electronics, aerodynamic, thermodynamic, static and dynamic mechanical)
• Good system engineering and configuration management skills
• Experience with rockets, missiles or other aerospace vehicle systems

Compensation Range for:

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

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.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin 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.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blue's Standard Background Check

• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation

• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing (CDL drivers only), vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.

• Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits

• Benefits include: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.

• 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 benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their 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. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on "Know Your Rights," please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

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