Director of Avionics, Lunar Core Components at Blue Origin – Washington, Illinois

Title: Director of Avionics, Lunar Core Components

Location: Greater Seattle Area | Phoenix, AZ | Space Coast, FL | Huntsville, AL | Denver, CO

Position Type: Full time

Requisition ID: R58097

Description:

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.

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We are developing 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 our mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth, we are building sustainable infrastructure to transport crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface and to support long‑duration presence on the Moon.

As the Director of Avionics, Lunar Core Components, you will lead a large organization of engineers and technical staff responsible for the design, development, verification, and production of critical, common avionics hardware systems used across the Lunar Permanence portfolio. Your portfolio spans multiple product groups, including Command and Data Handling, Navigation Sensors, Power Generation and Distribution, and Energy Storage systems. You will drive multiple concurrent development campaigns from concept through production, establishing hardware development practices that balance operational excellence with appropriate risk‑taking to deliver on aggressive schedules. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your dedicated commitment and attention to safe and reliable spaceflight.

Responsibilities (include but are not limited to)

• Lead the people and culture of the Lunar Core Avionics organization, fostering career development and raising the bar on performance through strategic planning, high‑quality decision-making, collaboration, communication, and trust.

• Lead multiple concurrent avionics hardware development campaigns across Command and Data Handling, Navigation Sensors, Power Generation, and Energy Storage product groups.

• Own and manage a large program portfolio, including budget allocation, integrated schedule development, staffing plans, and resource prioritization across all avionics development activities.

• Drive hardware development from concept through production, including architecture, detailed design, analysis, verification testing, qualification, and transition to production and flight operations.

• Establish and implement streamlined hardware development processes that enable speed while maintaining quality, clearly distinguishing value‑added activities from bureaucracy.

• Make informed, risk‑based decisions that balance technical performance, schedule, and cost while ensuring system safety and mission assurance are prioritized.

• Define and control technical requirements, interfaces, and performance specifications for avionics hardware systems and their integration into Lunar vehicles.

• Lead integrated product teams (IPTs) to deliver hardware on schedule and within budget while meeting performance, reliability, and safety requirements.

• Establish verification and validation strategies, including development testing, qualification testing, and acceptance testing approaches for avionics hardware.

• Drive design‑for‑manufacturing (DFM) and design‑for‑testability (DFT) principles throughout the hardware development lifecycle and into production.

• Collaborate with Vehicle Systems Engineering, Integration & Test, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Mission Operations teams to ensure seamless product delivery and support through flight.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Experience with the full hardware development lifecycle across one or more space missions, including transition to production and support to flight operations.

• 10+ years managing technical teams and/or leading functional groups, with responsibility for leading, coaching, and developing employees.

• Demonstrated experience effectively managing large engineering organizations, including fostering a culture of action, accountability, coaching, and development within hardware organizations.

• Deep technical knowledge of spacecraft avionics hardware systems, including C&DH, Electrical Power Systems (EPS), and GNC‑related avionics.

• Strong program management experience, including budget development and management, integrated master scheduling, and portfolio management.

• Demonstrated ability to make risk‑informed decisions in dynamic development environments.

• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of integrity, safety, and operational excellence.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to lead and influence across organizations.

• Minimum of a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or another relevant technical field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience leading organizations of 100+ people across multiple product lines or programs.

• Experience with human spaceflight avionics systems and associated safety analysis and certification requirements.

• Direct experience in multiple avionics domains (e.g., C&DH, GNC sensors, power electronics, battery systems).

• Experience managing transition from development to production, including implementation of DFM/DFT and production test strategies.

• Knowledge of radiation‑hardened or radiation‑tolerant electronics design and qualification.

• Experience with supplier management and procurement strategies for complex avionics and power systems.

• Experience implementing agile or iterative development approaches for hardware programs.

• Experience working within integrated product team structures and providing cross‑functional leadership.

• Experience managing large capital equipment purchases and facility buildouts (labs, test equipment, production infrastructure).

• Track record of delivering hardware programs on aggressive schedules while managing technical, cost, and schedule risk.

Compensation Range for:

CO applicants is $206,673.00 - $289,342.20WA applicants is $218,262.00 - $305,566.80

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 (CDL drivers only), 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.

• 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.

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