ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle) Leader - Project Design Engineer, Level III or higher

BLUE ORIGIN • Freedom, FL

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! 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. Blue Origin is seeking a technically exceptional and results-driven leader to own the end-to-end design, development, and delivery of the ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle) supporting New Glenn launch operations at the pad. The ROV is a critical piece of GSE (Ground Support Equipment) enabling safe execution of hazardous operations — removing personnel from harm's way while maintaining the precision and reliability that New Glenn demands. This is a high-visibility, high-accountability role that requires deep technical expertise across mechanical, fluids, robotics, end effector systems, controls hardware, and software — combined with the leadership courage to drive decisions at speed, cross organizational boundaries, and deliver on commitments. The leader will have singular accountability for this program from requirements definition through commissioning and turnover to the New Glenn launch operations team. You will operate with a high degree of autonomy, lead a multidisciplinary engineering team, and interface directly with senior leadership on program status, budget, and schedule. This is not a role for a passenger — it requires an owner.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field
• 10+ years of progressive engineering experience with demonstrated leadership of complex technical programs
• Proven experience leading the design and development of robotic systems, remote operated vehicles, or autonomous ground equipment
• Demonstrated ability to own a program end-to-end with accountability for technical performance, cost, and schedule
• Experience driving hardware from concept through manufacturing, test, and operational deployment
• Exceptional communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to lead high-performing engineering teams
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance if required

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree or PhD in a relevant engineering discipline
• Experience in launch vehicle ground support equipment or aerospace launch operations
• Background in hazardous operations robotics (e.g., nuclear, oil & gas, defense, subsea)
• Familiarity with ROS (Robot Operating System), real-time control systems, or autonomous vehicle frameworks
• Experience with hydraulic and pneumatic actuation systems
• Knowledge of NFPA, MIL-STD, or NASA safety standards applicable to launch pad operations
• Prior experience as a Single Threaded Leader, Program Manager, or Chief Engineer with full lifecycle accountability
• Passion for space exploration and a personal drive to enable humanity's future in space

Responsibilities

• Serve as the single accountable owner for all aspects of the ROV program — requirements, design, fabrication, testing, commissioning, and turnover to the New Glenn launch operations team
• Provide forward path, program status, and anomaly resolution updates to senior leadership with clarity and confidence
• Lead the full design lifecycle of the ROV system, including mechanical structures, fluid systems, robotics, end effectors, control systems, and communication architecture
• Develop and manage system-level requirements derived from New Glenn launch operations, pad safety constraints, and mission objectives
• Drive trade studies and design decisions that optimize performance, reliability, maintainability, and operational safety
• Oversee development of the ROV's remote operation capabilities, sensor suites, manipulator systems, and communication architecture
• Establish and maintain a rigorous design verification and validation (V&V) strategy through all phases of development
• Plan and conduct design reviews at each technical milestone — including PDR, CDR, and TRR — to ensure technical readiness and alignment with program requirements
• Partner closely with Launch Operations, Pad Engineering, Safety & Mission Assurance, Software Engineering, and Systems Engineering to ensure the ROV design meets all operational and safety requirements

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.
• 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: Mid Level