Principal GNC Systems Engineer - TeraWave

Blue Origin • Los Angeles, WA

5d

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! Blue Origin is pioneering the future of space-based communications with TeraWave, a revolutionary satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This multi-orbit constellation will consist of optically interconnected satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO), providing enterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field
• 8+ years of experience in spacecraft GNC systems design, development, and analysis
• Demonstrated experience with control system design, analysis, and implementation
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Simulink, or similar simulation and analysis tools
• Experience with orbit determination and propagation techniques
• Knowledge of spacecraft dynamics and control theory
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field
• Experience with satellite constellation design and operations
• 10+ years of experience in spacecraft GNC systems design, development, and analysis
• Familiarity with optical communications systems and pointing requirements
• Knowledge of Q/V-band RF communications systems
• Experience with multi-orbit constellation management
• Proficiency in programming languages such as C, C++, or Python
• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop testing of GNC systems
• Knowledge of space environment effects on spacecraft dynamics
• Experience with fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) techniques
• Familiarity with space mission analysis and design tools
• Previous experience with satellite formation flying or constellation management

Responsibilities

• Support the design, develop, and analysis of the guidance, navigation, and control algorithms for the TeraWave satellite constellation
• Create and maintain high-fidelity simulations to validate GNC subsystem performance across multiple orbit regimes (LEO and MEO)
• Collaborate with hardware and software teams to integrate GNC subsystems with flight computers, sensors, and actuators
• Perform trade studies and analysis to optimize GNC system performance, reliability, and efficiency
• Support hardware-in-the-loop testing and validation of GNC components and systems
• Develop and execute verification and validation plans for GNC subsystems
• Analyze flight data to assess on-orbit performance and recommend improvements
• Contribute to technical documentation, including requirements, design specifications, and test procedures
• Support anomaly investigations and resolution for GNC-related issues
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including systems engineering, electrical, mechanical, and software engineering

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