GNC Autonomy Tech Portfolio Director

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!  

We are a diverse team of collaborators, doers, and problem-solvers who are relentlessly committed to our culture of safe innovation. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your commitment, dedication, and detailed attention towards 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! This role is part of our Advanced Concepts organization developing innovative new space products and applications.

As part of a hardworking team of diverse spacecraft development engineers, you will lead our Autonomy products and technology developments. These products will use autonomy to improve operations and provide for diagnostics and prognostics for a wide range of aerospace vehicles and missions. Initial emphasis will focus on lunar mobility applications, a highly capable rover family in early development.

You will germinate and develop the team while applying the concepts of embedded autonomy utilizing the latest Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. This will include defining the architecture as well as the associated modelling, machine learning, autonomy, sensors and compute hardware. You will work closely with the Honeybee Robotics development team to seamlessly integrate autonomy with the rest of the vehicle and ground systems. Your contributions will directly contribute to infrastructure vital for long-range human and robotic spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Responsibilities:

• Lead the Embedded Autonomy projects within Advanced Concepts Formulation

• Architect the autonomy for the Lunar Mobility applications

• Lead the simulation, modelling, machine learning, autonomy, and hardware Embedded Autonomy

• Lead development of requirements from system level specifications with flow ups and flow downs to system, subsystem, and component levels

• Perform and guide analyses to validate specifications and requirements, and to determine performance

• Lead a cross-functional technical team to mature technologies, innovate to reach breakthroughs, and accomplish specific objectives for major infusion into key development programs

• Technical oversight and authority of a range of hardware and software solutions

• Prepare and manage design/technology reviews

• Support systems analysis with a cross-functional mindset to support system level architectural decisions

Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience focused on development of autonomy for complex processes and/or aerospace autonomy/GNC

• Experience in development, implementation, and testing of Autonomy on aerospace vehicles

• Proven experience in Digital Twin analysis, diagnostics, and/or prognostics

• Experience in test, verification and validation of complex algorithms, simulations, and software

• Demonstrated experience leading and managing lean teams on fast-paced projects

• Demonstrated experience in avionics hardware and software from initial architecture to deployed systems

• Leadership and management experience as well as a history of mentoring

• Highly organized and capable of planning and guiding complex technical work

• Demonstrated ability to perform both theoretical (e.g., modeling, simulation, analysis, design) and applied (implementation, testing, and validation) development of sophisticated algorithms and data processing techniques

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• 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

Desired:

• Ph.D. in aerospace, electrical, or mechanical engineering or related technical field

• Strong MATLAB/Simulink/Simscape/Stateflow expertise

• Experience in full lifecycle development of spacecraft autonomy

• Experience across multiple portions of the product life cycle (concept definition through operations and use)

• Specific experience leading research and development projects

• Familiarity with autonomous systems, business intelligence, or generative design

• Solid system engineering and configuration management skills

 

Compensation Range for:

WA applicants is $198,908.25-$278,471.55

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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