Software Quality Assurance Level III in Washington, District of Columbia at Blue Origin

Title: Software Quality Assurance Level III

Location: Greater Seattle Area

Position Type: Full time

Requisition ID: R65878

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 Blue Origin Operations, which is comprised of Integrated Supply Chain, Test Operations, Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance. This includes Manufacturing and Supply Chain support across all Blue Origin facilities.

Job Description
Join a talented team of engineers ensuring software quality and process assurance for spaceflight systems. Reporting to the Senior Manager of Program Quality, you'll independently assess software development activities for compliance with internal processes, regulatory standards, and customer requirements, approve software configurations supporting safety-critical functions, and drive process improvements across programs.
This is an auditing, compliance, and process assurance role, not a software testing or test automation position. The focus is on evaluating the overall health, discipline, and effectiveness of the software development and release lifecycle, including how software is planned, designed, developed, verified, controlled, and transitioned into production. You'll conduct independent assessments, compliance reviews, and process audits, while partnering with engineering teams to ensure quality standards are consistently implemented across the organization.
You must be passionate about solving complex problems, capable of working independently with minimal direction, and able to thrive in a dynamic environment supporting multiple spaceflight systems and applications.

Special Mentions:
• Relocation provided
• Interviews will include a technical assessment

Responsibilities
• Serve as the quality liaison to software development teams, conducting independent audits and compliance assessments throughout each phase of the software development lifecycle
• Assess software development lifecycle activities for adherence to approved plans, customer requirements, regulatory expectations, and Quality System standards
• Evaluate the effectiveness and maturity of software development, release, configuration management, and change control processes across programs
• Review and assess software configurations, load control processes, release readiness, and transition activities from development to production for safety-critical systems
• Monitor software planning, requirements management, design, development, verification/validation, configuration management, and production transition activities from a quality assurance and compliance perspective
• Review and assess complex electronic hardware and software development activities using standards such as DO-254, DO-178C, and DO-330
• Participate in software engineering reviews and audits, providing recommendations to strengthen process discipline, compliance, and design quality
• Coach development teams on process improvements and lessons learned, influencing stronger engineering and quality practices across multiple business units
• Identify software process gaps and systemic quality issues, perform root cause analysis, and drive corrective and preventive actions
• Generate metrics, trends, and risk assessments to communicate software process health, compliance status, and readiness for safety-critical operations

Minimum Qualifications
• 6+ years experience in software engineering or software quality engineering roles
• 6+ years experience reviewing, assessing, or assuring software development process compliance
• 6+ years experience identifying software process issues, performing root cause analysis, and managing corrective actions
Preferred Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in engineering or science discipline
• Experience transitioning products from development through production to operations
• Background in aerospace, space launch, aviation (military or commercial), or similarly regulated industries
• ASQ Certified Software Quality Engineer or similar quality certification

Compensation Range for:

WA applicants is $112,059.00 - $156,882.60

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 (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.