Principal Technical Lead Engineer, Rocket Engine Avionics & Control Systems

BLUE ORIGIN • Huntsville, AL

32d • $183,193 - $256,470 • Onsite

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 is part of the Blue Origin Engines business unit, where our focus is the design, development, manufacturing, and testing of engines and propulsion systems. Built for multiple uses, our family of engines is powering the next generation of rockets for commercial, civil, national security, and human spaceflight. This position resides within the Avionics & Control Products (ACP) organization, part of the Engine Business Unit. As a Principal Technical Lead Engineer for Rocket Engine Avionics & Control Systems, you will serve as the primary technical authority for all avionics systems within a specific rocket engine program. In this role you will define and drive the technical architecture, own the avionics system technical baseline for your assigned engine, lead design reviews with full technical approval authority, and ensure all avionics and control system deliverables are executed to the highest standards of safety, performance, and reliability. The successful candidate is a seasoned technical leader and recognized expert in avionics and control systems. Your effectiveness stems from four integrated competency areas: (1) Technical Expertise — deep domain knowledge in aerospace electronics, embedded software, controls algorithms, sensors, actuators, power systems, and data networks, combined with systems-level thinking that anticipates downstream impacts of design decisions; (2) Technical Leadership — sound judgment that balances innovation with reliability, fluency in design reviews, failure analysis acumen, and confident decision-making under uncertainty; (3) People & Team Dynamics — mentorship mindset, cross-functional influence, composure under pressure, and a collaborative style that fosters innovation and resilience; and (4) Strategic Vision & Organizational Impact — tying technical decisions to mission success and business goals, identifying organizational gaps before they escalate, and communicating a compelling technical vision across all levels. You hold yourself and your teams to the highest standards of engineering rigor. There is no “standard day” for this role. You will lead a multi-disciplinary engineering team across all engineering development phases, from customer use case elicitation all the way to full-scale hot-fire test and flight operations. On any given day you may be architecting a new generation engine control system, leading a failure review board, reviewing a control algorithm for stability margins, driving interface negotiations with vehicle teams, or mentoring a group of engineers through a gnarly systems integration challenge. Your breadth of expertise and technical judgment are the constant that ties it all together. Position requires up to 10% travel to rocket engine test sites.

Requirements

• Passion for our mission: Millions of people living and working in space!
• Minimum of a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or closely related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience in avionics systems, control systems, or a closely related engineering field, with demonstrated progression to senior/lead technical roles.
• Deep, hands-on expertise in avionics architecture, embedded systems design, and control system development for flight or propulsion applications.
• Proven track record of leading complex, cross-functional technical programs or subsystems from concept through qualification and operational deployment.
• Strong working knowledge of control theory, digital signal processing, and closed-loop system design for engine or propulsion applications.
• Experience defining and managing system-level requirements, interfaces, and verification/validation strategies across hardware and software domains.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence technical teams and stakeholders without direct authority.
• Proficiency in model-based design and simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink) and scripting languages (Python or equivalent).
• Experience with data communication protocols (e.g., EtherCAT, CAN, SpaceWire, MIL-STD-1553, or similar).
• Demonstrated ability to build trusting and effective working relationships that improve team performance, deliver results, and strengthen our culture of inclusivity.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex technical topics to audiences including senior leadership.
• 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 a relevant engineering discipline.
• Experience across multiple rocket engine or propulsion programs in varying stages of development (early development through flight operations).
• Familiarity with safety-critical software development standards (e.g., DO-178C, IEC 61508, or equivalent).
• Experience with fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) design for flight-critical avionics systems.
• Proficiency in Rust, C, or C++ for embedded or real-time systems development.
• Experience with physics-based modeling tools (e.g., AMESIM, Modelica, or similar) for propulsion system simulation.
• Familiarity with configuration management, requirements management, and product lifecycle management tools (e.g., Windchill, DOORS, or similar).
• Experience supporting or leading test campaigns at rocket engine test facilities.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain multi-year product and technology roadmaps.

Responsibilities

• Own the avionics and control system technical baseline for the assigned rocket engine program; define and drive the technical vision, architecture, and long-term engineering roadmap for that program’s avionics and control systems.
• Lead decomposition and allocation of engine-specific avionics requirements; establish and maintain system-level requirements, interface control documents, and design standards for avionics and engine control subsystems.
• Lead all design reviews for the assigned engine avionics systems with full technical approval authority; participate as a non-advocate reviewer for cross-program architectural decisions.
• Identify, characterize, and drive resolution of complex system-level technical risks across multiple concurrent development programs.
• Provide technical oversight and direction for the integration of avionics hardware, software, control algorithms, sensors, affectors, and harnessing into test facilities and onto rocket engines.
• Develop and maintain model-based design frameworks, simulation environments, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test strategies to accelerate verification and validation.
• Collaborate with program leadership, chief engineers, and functional managers to align technical execution with cost, schedule, and mission objectives.
• Champion engineering best practices, design criteria, and lessons learned across the ACP organization.
• Lead identification, assessment, and mitigation of technical risks across the assigned engine avionics system; drive technology maturation and identify emerging technology opportunities within the engine avionics team.
• Mentor and develop engineers at all levels; actively contribute to a culture of technical excellence, psychological safety, and continuous learning.
• Support and provide technical oversight during critical test campaigns and flight operations, both on-site and remotely.
• Partner with Enterprise functions (Operations, Supply Chain, Mission Assurance) to ensure producibility, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of avionics and control system designs.

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)
• 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