Software Engineer, Level 3 — Space Resources Program

Application close date:

At Blue Origin we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. Were 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!

At Blue Origin we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. Were 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!

In this hands-on on-site role based at our Los Angeles facility you will collaborate closely with the Space Resources Program team owning subsystem-level software scope with minimal day-to-day oversight. We are looking for an experienced self-motivated software engineer who brings technical expertise leadership capabilities and an unwavering commitment to quality and safety. You will communicate technical rationale and risk trade-offs while delivering high-quality software in a safety- and mission-critical environment.

The pace at Blue Origin is brisk with rapid cycles of design analysis and integration aimed at delivering scalable solutions. We need someone who is adaptable proactive eager to learn and uncompromising on safety and quality. Creativity a spirit of innovation and the ability to manage changing requirements are key to thriving on our inclusive open-minded and forward-thinking team. Passion for our mission is required!

Responsibilities:

Embedded Systems & Test Infrastructure Software

• Own the design implementation and verification of assigned real-time systems and test infrastructure software components (e.g. command handling telemetry mode/state management timing/synchronization device control health monitoring).
• Develop test infrastructure software to enable robust real-time safety-critical operation of multiple subsystems working in parallel.
• Implement and verify fault management behaviors for your scope (limit checks safe responses retries/timeouts watchdog patterns degraded modes) aligned to system hazards and mission objectives.
• Deliver configuration-controlled software releases including unit/integration tests as-built notes and release documentation.

Ground Software & Mission Operations

• Develop and maintain ground software for commanding telemetry ingest/display data archiving and operator tooling with an emphasis on reliability and repeatability for mission operations.
• Support end-to-end connectivity and compatibility testing; produce test reports and operator procedures for your scope.
• Interface with broader software teams to evaluate existing mission and product architectures and aid in the selection of appropriate software architectures.

Hardware Integration HIL and Test Automation

• Collaborate with hardware systems and quality assurance teams to align software functionality with requirements and perform hardware integration ensuring robust and safe end-to-end functionality.
• Stand up and improve Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) benches and automated regression suites; integrate avionics and instruments to enable end-to-end verification.
• Lead troubleshooting at the hardware/software interface; perform root-cause analysis on significant anomalies and drive corrective actions to closure with cross-functional partners.

Advanced Algorithms & Autonomy

• Contribute to the design implementation and integration of advanced algorithms leveraging AI/ML where appropriate to support and accelerate autonomy process optimization and anomaly detection within safety-critical systems.
• Develop or integrate state estimation and planning algorithms to support autonomous and robotic subsystems.

Requirements Interfaces V&V and Reviews

• Develop and maintain software requirements acceptance criteria and interface control documents (ICDs) for owned components; ensure traceability to higher-level system requirements and ConOps.
• Contribute to the software V&V plan and verification matrix; execute verification document results and support gated reviews and change control with audit-ready artifacts.
• Produce technical documentation for software architecture design and verification plans.
• Ensure compliance with industry safety and certification standards for critical systems.

Collaboration and Execution

• Operate in an agile rhythm: provide estimates support sprint planning and backlog grooming communicate progress and risks and coordinate dependencies across systems GNC avionics mission ops and quality/mission assurance.
• Participate in and help raise the bar for code reviews coding standards branching/release practices and test/coverage expectations; mentor junior engineers through reviews and lab support.
• Provide input to project managers to help plan track progress and adjust scope to meet software goals.
• Continuously learn and integrate new technologies and methodologies to enhance development processes and product capabilities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. degree or higher in computer science computer engineering electrical engineering robotics engineering aerospace engineering mathematics physics or a related field.
• 5 years of professional experience delivering embedded and/or mission/safety-critical software owning features from design through verification.
• Proficiency in C/C (embedded/RTOS/Linux) and Python (tools/automation); strong experience with Git and collaborative development workflows.
• Hands-on and theoretical understanding of software and computational science principles concepts algorithms and engineering beyond tool use.
• Demonstrated experience with real-time embedded software development concepts (e.g. concurrency timing determinism) and robust error handling.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate and debug across software firmware and hardware boundaries and to lead root-cause investigations within your scope.
• Experience developing or integrating state estimation and planning algorithms for autonomous or robotic systems.
• Experience working in a structured environment with requirements interfaces verification planning and test evidence.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to present technical rationale and risk trade-offs for peer and senior review and receptive to the input of others.
• Ability to take technical ownership assist team members as needed and collaborate to identify and resolve technical problems.
• An internal drive to deliver high-quality results with the ability to seek out requirements and propose solutions.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• M.S. degree in computer science computer engineering electrical engineering robotics aerospace engineering mathematics physics or a related field.
• Applied experience with real-time operating systems and/or bare-metal embedded systems including software design development and verification.
• Embedded systems software experience (command/telemetry frameworks time synchronization). Bonus for flight and/or ground segment experience (mission control tooling link testing ground station integration CCSDS-like protocols).
• Hands-on experience building and operating HIL benches and automated regression in CI/CD; familiarity with static/dynamic analysis and code quality tooling.
• Experience implementing or validating fault management approaches informed by hazard analysis FMECA or FDIR concepts.
• Experience with robotic middleware or messaging frameworks for modular software communication and integration (e.g. DDS or equivalent tools).
• Familiarity with secure communications practices and/or implementing cybersecurity controls for mission/ground systems.
• Understanding of control logic implementations and the ability to determine which tools are appropriate for a given problem.
• Experience with data acquisition systems measurement theory and instrumentation and control systems.
• Experience debugging low-level (platform and driver) code and/or auto-generated code.
• Experience with application performance monitoring and analysis.
• Experience using artifact management tools such as DOORS or Jama.

Compensation Range for:

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

Dont meet all desired requirements Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace so if youre excited about this role but your past experience doesnt align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder) or lawfully admitted into the a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blues Standard Background Check

• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation

• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding) Road Test Hours of Service Drug and Alcohol Testing (CDL drivers only) vehicle inspection requirements CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.

• Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits

• Benefits include: 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.

• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)

• 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 companys intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the companys results or other factors at the companys sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting retaining and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications performance and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust equality and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire promotion and other terms and conditions of employment regardless of their race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin/ethnicity age physical or mental disability genetic factors military/veteran status or any other status or characteristic protected by federal state and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal state and local laws including the Washington Fair Chance Act the California Fair Chance Act the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance and other applicable laws. For more information on Know Your Rights please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origins Affirmative Action Plans or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process please contact us at. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.