MK1 Lunar Lander Sr. Controls 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 is part of the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin’s Blue Moon landers and related products. To further Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.

This role is part of the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin's Blue Moon landers and related products. To further Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth, 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 engineers, you will join our MK1 Lunar Lander Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) team with an emphasis on Flight Controls. You will share in the team's impact on all aspects of developing and testing control laws and flight software for spacecraft traveling from the Earth to the Moon! You will also prototype algorithms, conduct trade studies for control architectures, and perform linear stability analyses using classical and modern approaches. Expect to collaborate closely with other subsystems and spacecraft systems engineers to support the definition of subsystem boundaries, interfaces, and technical performance measures. In this capacity, you will be responsible for exemplifying proven practices, balanced technical judgment, and for demonstrating outstanding work ethic.

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact the safe exploration of the solar system. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Special Mentions [ Edit or remove as needed ]

Relocation provided

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Develop and sustain flight control algorithms for spacecraft operating complex missions

Implement controls algorithms and subsystem component models in an integrated 6-DOF simulation environment using Simulink, C/C++, and Python

Perform trade studies driving maturity of detailed spacecraft and mission design

Collaborate with communication, propulsion, structures, fluids, and mechanisms subsystems to ensure system level design closure

Develop and maintain software for flight systems and simulations

Integrate and test software in SIL and HIL environments

Develop toolsets for automated requirements, configuration, and performance analyses

Support internal and external reviews with data products and reports

Minimum Qualifications

B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering or Physics with 12+ years of experience or M.S. with 10+ years of experience

Deep knowledge of astrodynamics, orbital mechanics, attitude kinematics and dynamics

Established background in GN&C algorithm development specifically for flight and attitude control using classical and modern control methods

Knowledgeable in frequency domain analysis techniques

Robust understanding of controller stability derivatives and stability margins with respect to spacecraft dynamics, flexible body dynamics, and slosh dynamics

Demonstrated experience with control law design for aerospace vehicles

Prior hands-on experience in guidance algorithm design, review, and testing for aerospace vehicles, in addition to a primary background in flight controls

Working knowledge of guidance algorithm fundamentals—such as trajectory generation, reference tracking, and powered-descent or ascent guidance—and their interaction with the control subsystem

Demonstrated ability to review and verify guidance algorithm implementations against requirements and mission performance objectives

Familiarity with development of requirements, interfaces, trades and analyses for aerospace GN&C applications

Understand the relationship between attitude control, vehicle configuration, spacecraft dynamics, actuators, sensors, and automation

Hands-on development with Simulink and C/C++

Experience with collaboration tools such as Gitlab, Confluence, and JIRA

Strong grasp of software and data configuration management techniques and tools

Highly organized teammate with excellent technical written and verbal communication skills

Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and give to a culture of safety.

Preferred Qualifications

Ph.D. focused on spacecraft guidance, trajectory optimization, or dynamics and controls

Proven experience in development, implementation and testing of GN&C systems for aerospace vehicles

Proven technical experience through the full lifecycle of system development

Proficiency in various control methods such as PID, Phase-Plane, H-Infinity, Lead and Lag Compensators, Dynamic Inversion, etc.

Experience developing and testing guidance algorithms for powered descent, landing, ascent, or orbital transfer phases

Familiarity with trajectory optimization techniques and convex or nonlinear guidance formulations

Experience integrating and validating coupled guidance-and-control algorithms in 6-DOF simulation environments

Proven experience leading or supporting guidance algorithm design reviews and associated verification and test campaigns

Experience designing flight control systems with reaction control systems (RCS), thrust vector control (TVC), or electric propulsion

Experience providing GN&C support during on-orbit mission operations

Experience synthesizing and evaluating Monte Carlo simulations, hardware-in-the-loop, and software-in-the-loop testing

Experience with NASA software, simulation tools, and environments (Trick/JEOD/cFS)

Experience with validation and verification approaches such as software unit testing, system simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing or coordinated subsystem testing

Experience with full-lifecycle software development from requirements definition through deployment

Base Pay Range for:

CO applicants is $181,626.00 - $254,275.35
WA applicants is $197,529.00 - $276,539.55

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: Driv