Senior Flight Software Engineer — GNC & Propulsion, Project Sunrise – Orbital Data Centers

Blue Origin•Littleton, CO

14h

About The Position

This Senior Flight Software Engineer role is part of Blue Origin’s Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE) organization and supports Project Sunrise, a constellation of orbital data centers. The engineer will specialize in Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC), developing and verifying spacecraft autonomy and maneuvering software for large, complex satellites. The work includes flight software that commands and manages the propulsion system, including thruster firing sequences and integration with a multi-kilowatt Power Processing Unit (PPU). The software will enable station-keeping, collision avoidance, and orbital adjustments across the constellation. The position spans the software lifecycle, from requirements analysis and design through integration, testing, and on-orbit support. It involves collaboration with GNC analysts and propulsion hardware engineers, as well as analysis of flight data and development of high-fidelity hardware-in-the-loop simulations. Travel may be required up to 10% of the time. Relocation assistance is available.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
At least 5 years of experience developing flight software for spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) systems.
Strong programming skills in C/C++ and/or Rust in a real-time embedded environment.
Demonstrated experience with control system design, GNC algorithm implementation, and simulation.
Experience with the full software development lifecycle for mission-critical systems.
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

Master’s degree or PhD in a relevant field.
Experience with electric propulsion systems, particularly Hall thrusters or high-power PPUs.
Deep understanding of spacecraft flight dynamics, orbital mechanics, and attitude determination and control.
Proficiency with simulation tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, STK, or similar.
Familiarity with software assurance standards such as NASA-STD-8739.8, NPR 7150.2, ECSS-Q-ST-80C, or equivalent (e.g., DO-178C), and embedded coding standards such as the JPL Institutional Coding Standard, MISRA C/C++, or CERT C/C++.
Experience working on large-scale satellite constellations or complex, multi-subsystem space vehicles.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and implement flight software for the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) subsystem.
Implement and verify propulsion-system control algorithms, particularly thruster firing logic and Power Processing Unit (PPU) integration.
Develop robust software interfaces between the GNC system, flight computer, and propulsion hardware.
Create and maintain high-fidelity, hardware-in-the-loop simulations to validate GNC and propulsion software performance across operational scenarios.
Analyze flight data to assess on-orbit GNC performance and recommend improvements.
Collaborate with GNC analysts and propulsion hardware engineers to ensure seamless integration and performance.
Contribute throughout the software development lifecycle, from requirements analysis and design through integration, testing, and on-orbit support.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Basic and supplemental life insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Short- and long-term disability.
401(k) with a company match of up to 5%.
Education Support Program.
Stock options for regular employees working at least 20 hours per week.
Paid time off of up to four weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours.
Up to 14 company-paid holidays.
Depending on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on individual contributions and company results or other factors.