Principal Technical Lead Engineer, Rocket Engine Avionics & Control Systems in Washington, District of Columbia at Blue Origin

Title: Principal Technical Lead Engineer, Rocket Engine Avionics & Control Systems

Location: Greater Seattle Area | Huntsville, AL

Position Type: Full time

Requisition ID: R64371

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 Blue Origin Engines business unit, where our focus is the design, development, manufacturing, and testing of engines and propulsion systems. Built for multiple uses, our family of engines is powering the next generation of rockets for commercial, civil, national security, and human spaceflight.

This position resides within the Avionics & Control Products (ACP) organization, part of the Engine Business Unit. As a Principal Technical Lead Engineer for Rocket Engine Avionics & Control Systems, you will serve as the primary technical authority for all avionics systems within a specific rocket engine program. In this role you will define and drive the technical architecture, own the avionics system technical baseline for your assigned engine, lead design reviews with full technical approval authority, and ensure all avionics and control system deliverables are executed to the highest standards of safety, performance, and reliability.

The successful candidate is a seasoned technical leader and recognized expert in avionics and control systems. Your effectiveness stems from four integrated competency areas: (1) Technical Expertise — deep domain knowledge in aerospace electronics, embedded software, controls algorithms, sensors, actuators, power systems, and data networks, combined with systems-level thinking that anticipates downstream impacts of design decisions; (2) Technical Leadership — sound judgment that balances innovation with reliability, fluency in design reviews, failure analysis acumen, and confident decision-making under uncertainty; (3) People & Team Dynamics — mentorship mindset, cross-functional influence, composure under pressure, and a collaborative style that fosters innovation and resilience; and (4) Strategic Vision & Organizational Impact — tying technical decisions to mission success and business goals, identifying organizational gaps before they escalate, and communicating a compelling technical vision across all levels. You hold yourself and your teams to the highest standards of engineering rigor.

There is no “standard day” for this role. You will lead a multi-disciplinary engineering team across all engineering development phases, from customer use case elicitation all the way to full-scale hot-fire test and flight operations. On any given day you may be architecting a new generation engine control system, leading a failure review board, reviewing a control algorithm for stability margins, driving interface negotiations with vehicle teams, or mentoring a group of engineers through a gnarly systems integration challenge. Your breadth of expertise and technical judgment are the constant that ties it all together.

Position requires up to 10% travel to rocket engine test sites.

Responsibilities:

• Own the avionics and control system technical baseline for the assigned rocket engine program; define and drive the technical vision, architecture, and long-term engineering roadmap for that program’s avionics and control systems.
• Lead decomposition and allocation of engine-specific avionics requirements; establish and maintain system-level requirements, interface control documents, and design standards for avionics and engine control subsystems.
• Lead all design reviews for the assigned engine avionics systems with full technical approval authority; participate as a non-advocate reviewer for cross-program architectural decisions.
• Identify, characterize, and drive resolution of complex system-level technical risks across multiple concurrent development programs.
• Provide technical oversight and direction for the integration of avionics hardware, software, control algorithms, sensors, affectors, and harnessing into test facilities and onto rocket engines.
• Develop and maintain model-based design frameworks, simulation environments, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test strategies to accelerate verification and validation.
• Collaborate with program leadership, chief engineers, and functional managers to align technical execution with cost, schedule, and mission objectives.
• Champion engineering best practices, design criteria, and lessons learned across the ACP organization.
• Lead identification, assessment, and mitigation of technical risks across the assigned engine avionics system; drive technology maturation and identify emerging technology opportunities within the engine avionics team.
• Mentor and develop engineers at all levels; actively contribute to a culture of technical excellence, psychological safety, and continuous learning.
• Support and provide technical oversight during critical test campaigns and flight operations, both on-site and remotely.
• Partner with Enterprise functions (Operations, Supply Chain, Mission Assurance) to ensure producibility, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of avionics and control system designs.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Passion for our mission: Millions of people living and working in space!
• Minimum of a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or closely related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience in avionics systems, control systems, or a closely related engineering field, with demonstrated progression to senior/lead technical roles.
• Deep, hands-on expertise in avionics architecture, embedded systems design, and control system development for flight or propulsion applications.
• Proven track record of leading complex, cross-functional technical programs or subsystems from concept through qualification and operational deployment.
• Strong working knowledge of control theory, digital signal processing, and closed-loop system design for engine or propulsion applications.
• Experience defining and managing system-level requirements, interfaces, and verification/validation strategies across hardware and software domains.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence technical teams and stakeholders without direct authority.
• Proficiency in model-based design and simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink) and scripting languages (Python or equivalent).
• Experience with data communication protocols (e.g., EtherCAT, CAN, SpaceWire, MIL-STD-1553, or similar).
• Demonstrated ability to build trusting and effective working relationships that improve team performance, deliver results, and strengthen our culture of inclusivity.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex technical topics to audiences including senior leadership.
• 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:

• M.S. or Ph.D. in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Experience across multiple rocket engine or propulsion programs in varying stages of development (early development through flight operations).
• Familiarity with safety-critical software development standards (e.g., DO-178C, IEC 61508, or equivalent).
• Experience with fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) design for flight-critical avionics systems.
• Proficiency in Rust, C, or C++ for embedded or real-time systems development.
• Experience with physics-based modeling tools (e.g., AMESIM, Modelica, or similar) for propulsion system simulation.
• Familiarity with configuration management, requirements management, and product lifecycle management tools (e.g., Windchill, DOORS, or similar).
• Experience supporting or leading test campaigns at rocket engine test facilities.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain multi-year product and technology roadmaps.

Don’t meet every single requirement? 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 inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Compensation Range for:

WA applicants is $183,193.00 - $256,469.85

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.

• 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.