Control Systems Engineer

Application close date:

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

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 supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a single-configuration, heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to low-Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar, and beyond. Its first stage is fully reusable, and the vehicle was designed from the beginning to be human-capable.

As part of a hardworking and complementary team of engineers, you will develop and verify inner-loop flight control applications for New Glenn launch vehicle systems. Together, we will positively contribute to all aspects of developing and verifying control software applications. Our team serves in several traditionally distinct roles: Systems Engineering, Fluids Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, Software Development, and Software Verification. We build and validate engineering simulations of fluids subsystems to verify that control algorithms and software satisfy requirements. Successful team members demonstrate excellent engineering judgment and an ability to work independently with minimal direction and supervision.

We are looking for engineers to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and dedication to quality to positively advance safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required and is a key indicator of a successful candidate!

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Model-based design and control software development for multiple simultaneous New Glenn configurations

• Collaborate across New Glenn Autonomy with fluids, systems engineering, software integration, avionics and vehicle operation teams

• Conduct Monte Carlo simulations and covariance analysis for system performance characterization

• Support Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) and Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) testing

• Deliver software for vehicle testing and flight

• Support bench tests, integrated vehicle tests and flight operations including basic operator training

Minimum Qualifications

• Strong engineering fundamentals; particularly in fluid mechanics, modeling and model validation.

• Deep understanding of fundamental controls engineering, such as frequency response analysis, stability margins

• Experience with filtering, state estimation (Kalman filters, extended Kalman filters) and optimal control techniques (LQR, LQG)

• High proficiency in Simulink and MATLAB for modeling, simulation, control design, and automatic code generation.

• Practical experience in software development, including embedded C or C++ programming.

• Proficiency with software configuration management tools such as git, subversion.

• Excellent technical writing and verbal communication skills.

• B.S. (or M.S. or Ph.D.) in aerospace, mechanical, or related engineering with 5+ years of real project experience.

• Ability to support 40–50-hour work weeks with occasionally higher effort as required to meet schedule.

• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and strengthen our culture of inclusion.

• 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

• Substantial experience and success developing controls for real systems.

• Hands-on experience with high-pressure gas and cryogenic propellant systems.

• Deep knowledge of systems engineering for safety-critical systems.

• Experience with rockets, missiles, or other aerospace vehicle systems.

 

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $134,961.00 - $188,945.40

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, 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.
• 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 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

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.