Senior Flight Software Engineer — C&DH & Fault Management - Project Sunrise – Orbital Data Centers

BLUE ORIGIN•Hutto, TX

2d•$181,626 - $276,540

About The Position

This 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 Senior Flight Software Engineer will architect and implement foundational satellite software, including a reusable Command & Data Handling (C&DH) framework and autonomous Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR) logic. This core software will support other critical spacecraft functions, including Telemetry, Tracking, and Command (TT&C), Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC), and Optical Intersatellite Links (OISL). The engineer will build platform-independent software foundations, develop interfaces to spacecraft subsystems, establish team-wide development practices, and create test, simulation, and validation approaches to ensure the reliability of flight software. The position also includes mentoring junior engineers. Travel may be required up to 10% of the time, and relocation assistance is available.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
At least 5 years of experience in real-time embedded software development for mission-critical systems.
Strong proficiency in C++ and/or Rust, with a deep understanding of embedded systems and real-time operating systems (RTOS).
Demonstrated experience designing and developing core software components such as C&DH, FDIR, or operating system primitives.
Experience with the full software development lifecycle in a regulated environment, such as aerospace, medical, or automotive.
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 large-scale satellite constellations or distributed, fault-tolerant systems.
Familiarity with spacecraft bus hardware, communication protocols such as CCSDS and SpaceWire, and subsystem interfaces.
Familiarity with software assurance standards such as NASA-STD-8739.8, NPR 7150.2, ECSS-Q-ST-80C, or DO-178C, and embedded coding standards such as the JPL Institutional Coding Standard, MISRA C/C++, or CERT C/C++.
Experience developing software for systems with high-power and thermal management requirements.
Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, clean-sheet design environment.

Responsibilities

Architect and develop a platform-independent, reusable software framework that will serve as the foundation for flight software across the Sunrise constellation.
Design, develop, and implement the core Command & Data Handling (C&DH) system for spacecraft command and control.
Create and implement Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR) logic so the spacecraft can respond autonomously to anomalies without ground intervention.
Develop critical software interfaces between the flight computer and major subsystems, including power, thermal, and GNC.
Establish and champion software development standards and best practices for the flight software team.
Develop test plans, simulation environments, and validation strategies to verify the reliability and robustness of core software.
Mentor junior engineers and contribute to a culture of technical excellence and innovation.

Benefits

Medical insurance.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
Basic and supplemental life insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Short- and long-term disability.
401(k) with 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.
Relocation assistance is available.
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.