Senior Ground Data Systems Engineer

Blue Origin•Reston, VA

1d•$144,179 - $219,522

About The Position

This role is part of Blue National Security (BNS) within Blue Origin’s In-Space Systems business unit, which focuses on space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit. The position reports to the In-Space Systems, Ground Data Systems Lead and works closely with Ground System, Software, Mission Systems, and Flight Operations Engineers. The role leads and performs RF/communications development, testing, and deployment across space and ground systems throughout the full lifecycle of In-Space Systems vehicles. It builds and maintains technical capabilities for spacecraft space-to-ground operations across varied concepts of operations, orbits, and ground station providers. The successful candidate brings technical expertise, leadership, attention to detail, and a collaborative approach to a fast-paced environment, with a commitment to safe human spaceflight and Blue Origin’s mission.

Requirements

B.S. in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, physics, or a related technical field.
10+ years of technical experience developing space-to-ground communications systems and their ground systems, including RF communications, Ground Data Systems architecture, software design and development, and spacecraft telemetry, commanding, and sequencing.
10+ years of technical experience in the communications domain spanning the complete OSI stack, including communications theory, frequency and bandwidth selection, modulation, encoding, transport protocols and standards (including CCSDS), application protocols and packet definition, and communications security.
Strong experience developing communications link budgets to predict link closure, link quality, and effective data rates.
Ability to identify and manage risks against system performance.
Proficiency with communications standards and protocols, including modulation formats, channel coding, and advanced waveforms such as DVB-S2/X, Ka/S/X bands, and spread spectrum.
Strong experience with DSN ranging systems, including CCSDS regenerative and transparent ranging, PN ranging codes, ground stations/modems, and ranging/Doppler biases.
Extensive experience with instrumentation and hardware- and software-based ground modems, such as Amergint and Kratos, using VNAs, spectrum analyzers, and oscilloscopes.
Experience in a complex system lifecycle, including requirements definition, design solution definition, implementation, integration, verification, validation, qualification, commissioning, and/or operations.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.
Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion.
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. in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, physics, or a related technical field.
Experience in space communication systems, particularly for Lunar, CisLunar, or deep-space missions.
Experience working on large, complex programs with multiple partners.
Experience defining and performing multifaceted trade studies.
First-principles knowledge of major spacecraft subsystems, including Avionics, TT&C, and/or RF Communications.
Experience with laser ranging and telemetry ranging systems.
Experience with requirements definition and management, preferably using DOORS Next Generation.
Operational fault management experience, including familiarity with system safety analysis techniques such as Functional Hazard Assessments (FHA), Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analyses (FMECA), and Fault Tree Analysis (FTA).
Experience with collaboration tools such as Confluence and JIRA.
Familiarity with version control, preferably Git.
Experience with configuration and product data management tools, preferably Windchill.
Experience working with and proposing to U.S. Government research agencies such as NASA, AFRL, or DARPA.

Responsibilities

Identify, derive, develop, and maintain Ground Data Systems requirements, including traceability and verification and validation approaches.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including flight vehicle systems, ground software, Integration & Test, external vendors, and ground station providers.
Define ground data system and communications architectures for diverse mission and customer requirements.
Define and maintain ground data system interface requirements and control documents, such as Space Vehicle to Ground Network or Mission Control to Ground Network interfaces.
Plan, perform, and document Ground Data Systems requirement verification and validation.
Plan and perform Ground Data Systems product update cycles, integration and test activities, and validation exercises leading to production software releases, operations training events, and flight.
Support initiatives to improve Mission Systems and Flight Operations engineering processes and tools, as well as other functional processes and tools.
Analyze operability across the Space-Ground System and support improvements where justified.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and 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 all 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; amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed.