GN&C Hardware Lead Responsible Engineer

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 diverse team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!

This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your commitment, dedication, and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable space flight.

This role is part of the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin's multiple Blue Moon lander product lines. To further Blue Origin's mission of having millions of people living and working in space, 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 diverse, multi-disciplinary engineers, you will assist in the development and/or procurement of guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) sensor hardware and systems for navigation, landing, rendezvous, proximity operations and docking, and other applications for Blue Origin's spacecraft. You will participate in the full life cycle of these systems from early concepts to product prototypes to qualified and deployed flight hardware. This is a team leadership role, responsible for planning and coordinating the efforts of cross-discipline engineers supporting the development, procurement, integration, and test of GN&C sensors, actuators, supporting electronics, and related systems. You will work closely with the GN&C team to seamlessly integrate these components with the rest of the GN&C and vehicle subsystems. Your leadership and technical contributions will enable flight of state-of-the-art aerospace vehicles and missions.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

1. Lead the planning and coordination of resources necessary to successfully deliver and integrate GN&C sensors and related hardware to lunar lander vehicle systems.
2. Collaborate in the development of navigation and sensor hardware requirements from system-level specifications with flow-downs to subsystem and component levels, and companion verification methods.
3. Lead and coordinate the design, development, integration, testing, and overall lifecycle management of GN&C hardware components and systems.
4. Coordinate the design of sensor architecture and hardware configurations through design studies and sensor performance trade-offs.
5. Perform and guide testing and analysis of sensor hardware, including laboratory and flight testing, shock/vibration, thermal vacuum, and radiation environments, to validate top-level system specifications and requirements and establish sensor performance specifications.
6. Support the design, procurement, fabrication, test and characterization of prototype hardware.
7. Support the development and execution of component-level test programs, including sensor characterization, sensor modeling, and integrated on-vehicle testing.
8. Support hardware-in-the-loop testing, on-vehicle functional testing, and flight testing.
9. Routinely collaborate with manufacturing operations, supply chain, and other teams within the company to ensure smooth execution of development, integration, and test efforts.
10. Define, deploy, and enhance technical and programmatic processes as needed to ensure efficient team operations and timely deliverables in support of ambitious program objectives.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. B.S. in Physics, Electrical, Mechanical, or Aerospace engineering or related areas of study.
2. 10+ years of related experience with high-reliability electro-mechanical, electro-optical, or RF sensors and components for harsh and/or highly regulated environments including space, military, or automotive industries.
3. Knowledge of multiple GN&C sensors, their related system components (inertial sensors, optical sensors, lenses, laser sources, RF or image processing electronics, etc.) and their characterization.
4. Demonstrated experience in the development, prototyping, testing, and calibration of sensors for aerospace, military, automotive, medical, or precision robotics applications.
5. Demonstrated experience in component procurement, integration, and test support.
6. Demonstrated experience in test and verification of navigation or related sensors, actuators, supporting electronics and mechanical assemblies.
7. Hands-on experience and proven ability to work with test, flight, and safety-critical hardware.
8. Familiarity with documentation and product lifecycle management tools such as Windchill, Teamcenter, or similar.
9. Familiarity with requirements management tools such as DOORS, Jama Connect, or similar.
10. Knowledge of design and construction standards for high reliability electronics and mechanical components (NASA, MIL-STD, IEEE, IPC, etc.).
11. Experience with analytical and scripting tools such as Matlab, LabView, or Python.
12. Experience in product schedule, cost, delivery, and supplier management.
13. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
14. Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.
15. Ability to perform data analysis and reduction and present technical information in a clear and compelling visual format.
16. Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and strengthen our culture of inclusion.
17. 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:

1. M.S. in Physics, Electrical, Mechanical, or Aerospace engineering or equivalent with 10+ years of relevant experience.
2. Hands-on experience with spacecraft vehicle or satellite system integration and test.
3. Experience in development of GN&C related sensors and instruments for space applications and space environments.
4. Knowledge and experience with navigation systems that include measurements from IMU, GPS, lidar, radar, star trackers, and optical sensors.
5. Detailed knowledge EEE part selection and screening for space applications.
6. Working knowledge of NASA human spaceflight standards.
7. Experience in leading or supporting technical teams through multiple successful product deliveries.