Principal AI/ML Autonomy Engineer

BLUE ORIGIN • Huntsville, WA

3d • $218,520 - $323,081 • Hybrid

About The Position

The AI, FSW & Autonomy organization is looking for a Principal AI/ML Autonomy Engineer. This is a hands-on IC lead role. You are the architect, the builder, and the integrator. You'll define the embedded AI/ML strategy, develop and deploy the models, and work directly alongside flight software, ground systems, GNC, avionics, MLOps, and simulation engineers to build embedded autonomous systems. You’ll develop the strategy and drive its success, with direct visibility to senior and executive leadership. If you have a passion for space, autonomy and working with some of the best in industry, this role is for you!

Requirements

• B.S. in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related technical field
• 10+ years in developing autonomy for mission/safety-critical embedded systems
• 5+ years of hands-on experience developing and deploying AI/ML systems in a production environment with demonstrated emphasis on embedded or resource-constrained environments
• Demonstrated experience deploying ML models on embedded flight or mission-critical hardware such as edge GPUs, FPGAs, DSPs, or radiation-tolerant processors under real-world performance constraints
• Deep proficiency in Python and C/C++ for both model development and embedded software integration
• Expertise in modern ML frameworks including PyTorch, TensorFlow, or ONNX Runtime
• Hands-on experience with model optimization for edge deployment: quantization, pruning, TensorRT, TFLite, or equivalent toolchains
• Proven ability to operate within real-time, resource-constrained software environments such as RTOS, bare-metal, or safety-critical OS
• Demonstrated ability to lead through technical influence, driving architectural decisions, aligning cross-functional stakeholders, and delivering results without relying on organizational authority
• Strong technical communication skills with the ability to brief executive leadership, government customers, and engineering peers with equal clarity and confidence
• 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

Nice To Haves

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
• Experience developing AI/ML for autonomous spacecraft operations including on-orbit fault detection and isolation, autonomous mission sequencing, rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), or closed-loop vehicle control
• Experience deploying ML on radiation-tolerant or space-grade compute such as NVIDIA Orin, Xilinx Versal, rad-hard SoCs, or FPGAs
• Background in flight software development or avionics software integration in a mission-critical context
• Experience with autonomous anomaly detection, fault management, and self-healing system architectures for long-duration or communications-denied operations
• Familiarity with ROS/ROS2, DDS, or analogous middleware in embedded or robotic systems
• Experience supporting DoD, USSF, NRO, or IC programs including direct customer engagement or proposal development
• Active U.S. Secret or Top Secret/SCI clearance
• Experience with simulation-to-hardware workflows and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing for AI/ML validation
• Familiarity with formal V&V methods for ML

Responsibilities

• You are the accountable technical lead for embedded AI/ML from architecture and model development through deployment and operational validation
• Define and execute the technical roadmap
• Identify, architect and fine tune embedded ML models optimized for the compute environment, balancing inference performance against strict SWaP-C (size, weight, power, and cost) constraints
• Own the full ML lifecycle including data collection and pipeline development, model architecture, training, compression and quantization, hardware-aware optimization, and on-target validation
• Integrate AI/ML models directly into the flight software stack, ensuring real-time performance, deterministic behavior, and compliance with safety and reliability requirements
• Drive cross-functional technical alignment with FSW, avionics, ground systems, GN&C, and systems engineering, translating autonomous operations requirements into deployable, validated AI capabilities
• Champion V&V and assurance practices for AI/ML in mission-critical, high-consequence space systems including uncertainty quantification, fault detection and isolation, runtime assurance, and adversarial robustness testing
• Serve as the technical authority and force multiplier across the broader AI, FSW & Autonomy team, setting the bar, unblocking peers, and accelerating delivery through influence and expertise
• Represent Blue National Security's AI/ML capability to government customers, program offices, and external partners

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%, 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal