Manager - Data Systems and Controls Engineering, Industrial Automation, for Ground Systems

Blue Origin•Space Coast, FL

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! This role supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a single-configuration, heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to low-Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar, and beyond. Its first stage is fully reusable, and the vehicle was designed from the beginning to be human-capable. We are a diverse team of collaborators, doers, and problem-solvers who are relentlessly committed to a culture of safety. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your commitment 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. As part of a small, passionate and accomplished team of experts, you will lead a high functioning team responsible for designing, implementing, and sustaining PLC/DAQ-based control systems and electrical ground support equipment (EGSE) for fluid processes and mechanical systems—including vehicle power and battery charge/discharge, heater controls, and launch release functions. The position requires knowledge of industrial automation platforms (Rockwell and/or Siemens), strong systems and integration thinking, and the ability to drive technical decisions quickly while managing schedule, budget, risk, safety, and configuration control. Success in this role means delivering reliable, compliant control solutions from requirements through commissioning and turnover to operations in a high-visibility, high-accountability environment.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Automation Engineering, or related technical field
5+ years of experience in industrial automation, PLC programming, and control system design
1+ years of experience in engineering management or team leadership
Demonstrated experience with Rockwell Automation and/or Siemens PLC platforms and programming environments
Experience with data acquisition systems (DAQ) and industrial control networks
Knowledge of electrical support equipment design for complex systems
Proficiency in reading and interpreting electrical schematics and technical drawings
Experience managing technical projects from concept through implementation
Strong problem-solving skills
Proven track record to lead teams and mentor junior engineers
Exhibit ability to adapt and excel in changing, growing environment
Excellent communication with peers
Meticulous attention to detail and configuration control

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
10+ years of experience in industrial automation and control systems
5+ years of experience in engineering management or team leadership
Experience in aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability industries
Knowledge of custom circuit board design and implementation
Experience with launch vehicle ground support equipment or similar mission-critical systems
Familiarity with industrial heater control systems and power distribution systems
Experience with Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT)
Certification in relevant areas such as Rockwell Automation or Siemens PLC programming
Experience with SCADA systems, HMI development, and industrial networking protocols
Knowledge of safety instrumented systems and functional safety standards (e.g., IEC 61508/61511)

Responsibilities

Lead and develop a team of industrial automation engineers who design, implement, and maintain PLC and DAQ control systems for fluid processes and mechanical systems
Oversee the development of Launch Vehicle electrical support equipment including power systems for vehicle battery charging/discharging, heater controls, and launch release systems
Drive technical excellence in industrial automation solutions using Rockwell Automation and Siemens platforms
Establish and maintain engineering standards, best practices, and procedures for control system design, implementation, and documentation
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure control systems meet operational requirements and integrate seamlessly with other systems
Manage project schedules, resources, and budgets to ensure on-time delivery of control system solutions
Identify and mitigate technical risks associated with control system development and implementation
Foster innovation and continuous improvement in control system design and implementation methodologies
Provide technical guidance and mentorship to engineering team members
Interface with internal stakeholders to understand requirements and ensure successful implementation of control systems
Evaluate and implement new technologies and approaches to enhance control system capabilities and reliability
Ensure compliance with safety standards and regulatory requirements in all control system designs