Avionics Systems Engineer
About The Position
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! The role is part of the In-Space Systems business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit. Join Blue Origin's In-Space Systems team as an Avionics Systems Engineer and become a key architect of Blue Ring—our next-generation satellite bus platform that will enable critical missions beyond Earth's atmosphere. This isn't just another engineering role; it's your opportunity to design the command and data handling systems that will power humanity's expansion into space. As an Avionics Systems Engineer, you'll pioneer novel data handling architectures for national security space missions, working at the intersection of hardware innovation, software development, and communications security. You'll be hands-on with cutting-edge Command and Data Handling (C&DH) systems and encryption architectures, collaborating directly with core hardware developers, software engineers, and communication security specialists to solve challenges that have never been tackled before. Your designs will directly enable classified missions critical to national security. You're not just building components—you're creating the foundational infrastructure that future space missions will depend on. Every architecture decision you make, every system you design, will ripple through missions that expand human presence in space and protect national interests from orbit. Candidates for this role must have an active Top Secret clearance and reside in Seattle (or be willing to locate upon acceptance of offer).
Requirements
- Top Secret Clearance (active or has been active within the past 2 years)
- B.S. in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field with 5+ years industry experience developing avionics systems
- Expertise in delivering mission-critical C&DH systems including data handling architectures and cryptographic systems
- Familiarity with common spacecraft interfaces (Ethernet, MIL-STD-1553, SpaceWire) and digital/analog electrical interfaces (I2C, SPI, Serial)
- Strong foundation in layer 2/3 networking concepts (Ethernet, VLANs, QoS, IP, TCP/UDP, routing)
- Experience with requirements definition and decomposition, interface control, and verification
- Exceptional communicator and collaborator who thrives in fast-paced environments, analyzes complex systems effectively, and builds trusted relationships across teams
Nice To Haves
- TS/SCI Clearance (active or has been active within the past 2 years)
- M.S. in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field with full spacecraft design lifecycle industry experience
- NSA Type 1 encryption device expertise including certification processes, TEMPEST/EMSEC requirements, and CNSSI 1253/NIST 800-53 controls for space systems
- Experience interfacing with NSA, COMSEC custodians, or CCI handling, with proven ability to deliver space-qualified integrated hardware/software components
- Space environment design expertise including radiation effects, SEU mitigation, parts selection, processor/storage architectures, and CCSDS communication protocols
- Proficiency with electrical system design and analysis tools (Altium/OrCAD/KiCad, LTspice, MS Visio)
- Experience with scripting languages such as Python
Responsibilities
- Participate in C&DH system architecture, trade studies, and concept development with integrated cryptographic and cybersecurity features—from requirements through operations support
- Translate system data handling and security requirements into actionable subsystem and component-level specifications, ensuring compliance across the design lifecycle
- Own verification and validation planning, partnering with integration and test teams to validate data handling and encryption hardware against requirements
- Drive technical excellence through participation in design reviews and cross-functional collaboration with hardware development teams
Benefits
- 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%
- Education Support Program
- Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
- Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours
- Up to 14 company-paid holidays
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
