Mission 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 is part of Blue National Security (BNS), where our focus is the design, development, and delivery of launch and spacecraft systems for national security missions. Through Blue Ring, our all-in-one, high-powered hybrid solar-electric and chemical-propelled spacecraft, we provide unmatched mission maneuverability, versatility, and capacity at dramatically lower-profile costs.

This role is part of the Blue National Security (BNS) business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit.

As a Sr Mission Systems Engineer within the Mission Engineering & Architecture organization, you will take a role in the development and maturation of new and exciting business opportunities for Blue Origin. This mid-career opportunity is ideal for an experienced and proactive engineer ready to drive the technical development of complex space missions. You will support the formulation of new products, mission areas, and programs, and play a key role in capture and proposal efforts that shape Blue Origin's future business. You will be instrumental in architecting and defining mission systems, leading critical trade studies, and ensuring the technical integrity of the system from concept through mission execution. You will be expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy and provide technical leadership to guide the project toward its objectives.

Special Mentions:

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 25% of the time
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret U.S. security clearance. An active TS clearance is highly preferred.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Support the formulation of new products, mission areas, and programs, helping translate emerging customer needs and market opportunities into compelling technical concepts.
• Contribute to capture and proposal activities for new business opportunities, including developing technical approaches, authoring proposal content, and supporting color team reviews.
• Contribute to the development of mission architectures, concepts of operations (CONOPS), and end-to-end system designs for novel space applications.
• Own the decomposition of mission objectives into verifiable system and subsystem requirements, ensuring traceability and clarity.
• Drive and execute complex trade studies to optimize system performance, cost, and schedule, and present findings to leadership to inform critical decisions.
• Define, manage, and control system interfaces, leading interface control working groups to ensure seamless integration across all vehicle and ground segments.
• Provide systems engineering support to a multidisciplinary team to ensure a cohesive and robust system design.
• Develop and oversee the execution of comprehensive verification, validation, and test campaigns.
• Contribute to major technical design reviews and serve as a key technical authority for the mission system.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in systems engineering, mission design, or complex system development.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects and operate with a high degree of autonomy.
• Deep understanding of the systems engineering lifecycle and best practices, from requirements definition through integration and test.
• Proven experience leading trade studies, performing analysis, and architecting complex systems.
• Experience supporting capture and proposal efforts for new business opportunities, including contributing technical content and solutions to winning pursuits.
• Proficiency with scripting and analysis using tools such as Python or MATLAB.
• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools such as Cameo/SysML.
• Exceptional communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to influence and guide multidisciplinary teams.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret U.S. security clearance. An active TS clearance is highly preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master of Science degree or higher in a relevant engineering or technical discipline.
• 12+ years of experience in the aerospace or defense industry.
• Direct experience leading the design and development of a space system through at least one major program lifecycle phase (e.g., SRR, PDR, CDR).
• Experience serving as a technical lead or capture lead on proposals for national security space or civil space customers, including shaping win strategies and authoring key proposal volumes.
• Familiarity with formulating new mission concepts and maturing them from early-stage ideas through customer engagement and program start.
• Expertise in orbital mechanics, mission design, and spacecraft subsystem performance analysis.
• Proficiency with requirements management and verification tools (e.g., DOORS Next Generation).
• Experience leading or managing an Integrated Product Team (IPT).
• Hands-on experience with the integration, test, or operation of aerospace hardware and software.

Base Pay Range for:

CO applicants is $144,179.00 - $201,849.90

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.