Sr. Manager GenAI/AI R&D Software Development

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 Enterprise Technology (ET), where we’re developing the digital infrastructure needed to build the road to space, with an emphasis on digital capabilities required to advance Blue Origin’s mission. Enterprise Technology is the center of excellence for digital technology at Blue Origin, providing oversight and governance to align technology and business strategies.

As part of the AI Manufacturing Execution System leadership team, you will bring software engineering leadership to aerospace design and analysis systems. You will be a key leader of the team responsible for building our Physical AI tools - AI native systems that accelerate the design, build and test our products using the latest generative and agentic AI technologies and approaches.

We are looking for a leader who has an approach hallmarked by rapid delivery, continuous-improvement and people leadership skills who is ready to apply their technical expertise, management skill, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Job Summary:

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Software Development Manager. This leader will manage a team of skilled software developers and drive them to execute an ambitious technology roadmap.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead and manage the enterprise Manufacturing Execution Systems AI software engineering team to build AI software products that will accelerate the hardware lifecycle: requirements, design, simulation, analysis, build, operate.
• Hire, staff, and manage the software engineering/research science team to execute against the Enterprise MES AI goals and product roadmap.
• Partner with customers to identify needs and create innovative solutions, working in concert with the Emerging Technology leaders and product managers to develop and execute against a Physical AI product roadmap and capability set
• Collaborate with external partners like Anthropic, AWS, OpenAI and other LLM and AI service providers to integrate and securely enable market leading Physical AI capabilities at Blue Origin.
• Provide technical expertise and leadership to ensure safe and efficient operations
• Own and optimize production of the MES AI systems, ensuring exceptional performance and reliability, and instrumenting for performance, cost, and quality.
• Grow and mentor dedicated individuals and future leaders.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in software development, outstanding leadership skills, and a passion for innovation in aerospace.

Qualifications:

• Masters or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Physics, Statistics or other STEM degree.

• 10+ Years of Software and systems engineering in fast paced environments with 3+ years leading development teams.

• 2+ Years in building products that use or incorporate Large Language Models

• 5+ years in building products that apply or incorporate Machine Learning Models

• Strong experience building systems at the GenAI state of the art, particularly agentic harnesses, MCP, agent memory and state management, retrieval augmented generation, and knowledge graphs

• Experience applying AI to solve business problems and facilitate software development.
• Strong understanding of software architecture, design patterns, and development methodologies.

• Ability to support a driven a dynamic environment with high accountability and ownership

• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• A passion for space exploration and a commitment to Blue Origin’s mission.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% of the time.

• 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:

• Experience with design and product definition within regulated industries.
• Experience with simulations, digital twins, and synthetic data generation.
• Experience in the aerospace or defense industry.
• Familiarity with compliance and regulatory requirements in aerospace.

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $197,004.00 - $275,805.60

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.