Sr. Satellite Guidance, Navigation, and Control Lead
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! The role is part of the In-Space Systems business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit. We are seeking a Satellite Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Lead to architect and guide the development of advanced GNC systems for the satellite platforms. This role will serve as a technical leader, driving algorithm design, hardware integration, and system validation across multidisciplinary teams. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in attitude determination and control, Kalman filtering, and momentum-based control systems, and thrives in a fast-paced environment where innovation meets mission-critical execution.
Requirements
- B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
- 8+ years of experience in GNC engineering and design
- Proven expertise in attitude determination, control theory, and Kalman filtering.
- Hands-on experience with reaction wheels, star trackers, IMUs, and related flight hardware.
- Strong understanding of orbital mechanics and satellite dynamics.
- Familiarity with simulation tools (MATLAB, Simulink, GMAT, STK) and embedded flight software environments.
Nice To Haves
- Experience leading satellite GNC programs from concept through launch and operations.
- Background in sensor fusion, fault detection, and recovery strategies.
- Experience evaluating third-party GNC solutions for integration or trade vs in-house development.
- Publications or patents in the field of satellite GNC or spaceflight technologies.
- Experience managing and mentoring engineering teams, including performance development, technical guidance, and cross-functional coordination.
Responsibilities
- Lead the design and implementation of satellite GNC architectures, including attitude determination, control algorithms, and sensor fusion.
- Develop and validate Kalman filters for real-time state estimation using star trackers, IMUs, and other onboard sensors.
- Architect momentum-based attitude control systems using reaction wheels and magnetic torquers.
- Conduct simulation, analysis, and performance benchmarking across mission profiles.
- Define subsystem requirements and interface control documents (ICDs) for GNC components.
- Guide environmental qualification and flight software integration for GNC subsystems.
- Collaborate with systems, software, propulsion, and mission operations teams to ensure alignment with program goals.
- Lead design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) and ensure technical artifacts meet quality and compliance standards.
- Direct and mentor a team of GNC engineers, fostering technical excellence and professional growth.
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.
- Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and submit to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Industry
Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
Number of Employees
5,001-10,000 employees
