Avionics Hardware Engineer - Space Robotics

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 diverse team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!  

This position is part of the Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE) business unit. ACE develops next-generation concepts and systems to advance our future of living and working in space sustainably.

We are a diverse team of collaborators, doers, and problem-solvers who are committed to a culture of safety. This position directly impacts the history of space exploration and requires a commitment and detailed attention toward safe and repeatable space flight. Join us in lowering the cost of access to space and enabling Blue Origin’s vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth.  

The ACE Formulation team is multidisciplinary, covering power systems, simulation and environments, thermal and fluids management, guidance, navigation, and control (GNC), autonomy, command and control, data handling and instrumentation, electrical integration and avionics, and propulsion. This position is specifically in support of the Autonomy and GNC team within Formulation.  We provide subject matter expert support for early pathfinding, prototyping, and proof of concept internal efforts and also support projects and programs external to ACE.  This position will be as an active participant in a research type environment and requires the appropriate mindset of bias for action while quickly delivering results. The decisions made early on will set Blue Origin up for long-term success. It also requires a comfort with ambiguity and an ability to find a path forward.

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Avionics Hardware Engineer with a strong background in Single Board Computer development and printed circuit board design to join our innovative engineering team. As an Avionics Hardware Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing complex Single Board Computers (SBC) and FPGA configurations to meet our product and customers' needs. The ideal candidate should have a deep understanding of hardware design and parallel computing with an emphasis on space and robotics applications.  Candidates are encouraged to apply if they meet most, but not all, of the qualifications below.

We value candidates who can demonstrate a portfolio of projects where hardware-level optimizations intersect with cutting-edge AI/ML vision techniques, significantly contributing to advancements in the fields of autonomous navigation, smart robotics, and location-aware systems. Your experience in this niche will position you as a key player in the development and future-proofing of our technology stack.

  

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Design and implement Single Board Computers and FPGA-based solutions for high-performance computing tasks, ensuring optimal performance, resource utilization, and power efficiency.
• Develop detailed board designs and layouts. Ensure designs meet all required aerospace and industry standards, including signal integrity, thermal considerations, and mechanical constraints.
• Create and review schematics based on system requirements, ensuring accuracy and adherence to design specifications.
• Build and test prototypes, troubleshoot design issues, and work with manufacturing teams to transition designs from prototype to production.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement robust and efficient designs.
• Conduct benchmarking and performance analysis to guide the design and optimization process.
• Support the full development lifecycle, including requirements analysis, design, coding, testing, debugging, deployment, and documentation.
• Keep abreast of the latest developments in hardware technologies, tools, and best practices.
• Ensure all designs comply with relevant aerospace industry standards and safety regulations. Perform risk assessments and design reviews as necessary.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related field, with a strong track record in electronics and computing.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in FPGA development, high speed circuit design, board design, and layout, with a significant portion of this experience in the aerospace industry.
• Experience with board-level development, including PCB design, prototyping, and debugging, as well as familiarity with industry-standard EDA tools.
• Proficient with development tools for FPGAs, such as Xilinx Vivado, Intel Quartus, or other relevant software, and capable of taking designs from concept through to hardware implementation and deployment.
• Proficiency in FPGA development using VHDL or Verilog.
• Experience with high-speed digital design.
• Strong understanding of signal integrity, power distribution, and thermal management in PCB design.
• Hands-on experience with hardware debugging tools such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG.
• Skilled in analyzing system requirements and decomposing complex problems into clear, actionable steps for hardware implementation.
• Strong foundations in both digital electronics and computer architecture, enabling you to navigate and innovate within the intersection of software and hardware.
• Good communication and collaboration skills, with a proven ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team and articulate technical concepts clearly.
• A continuous learner and proactive problem solver, eager to tackle the unique challenges presented in the realm of board development and hardware deployment.
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion 
• 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:

• Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field..
• Demonstrated experience in image processing, feature detection, and object tracking algorithms, with the implementation of real-time video and image analysis solutions on FPGA platforms.
• Knowledge of embedded systems and microcontroller programming.
• Strong background in developing computer vision and machine learning solutions, with hands-on experience in embedding AI/ML techniques into hardware platforms for vision-based applications.
• Familiarity with navigation, localization, and mapping technologies, and experience in applying vision-based machine learning models to these domains, such as SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) techniques.
• Knowledge of sensor fusion algorithms and their implementation on heterogeneous computing platforms that involve FPGAs and GPUs, enhancing decision-making accuracy in autonomous systems.
• A proven track record of developing systems that intelligently process and interpret visual data for robotics, automotive, aerospace, or related industries, utilizing state-of-the-art techniques in embedded vision systems.
• Familiarity with aerospace industry standards and regulations (e.g., DO-254, MIL-STD-461).

 

Compensation Range for:

WA applicants is $126,898.00-$177,656.85

Other site ranges may differ

Inclusivity 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 a diverse, inclusive, and 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 (DIBDS) 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, 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.

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.

• Discretionary bonus: Bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results.

• Eligibility for benefits varies by role type, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role.

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, diverse, 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, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. 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, gender, 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 “EEO Is the Law,” 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.

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