Astrodynamics Software Integration Engineer II Verified today

About the Role

You will join the Astrodynamics and Trajectory Execution (ATX) team, responsible for end-to-end trajectory design and ground navigation within In-Space Systems. This hands-on role matures ATX-developed algorithms into reliable operational capabilities within the Flight Dynamics System (FDS). You will support an assigned mission from development through live flight operations while building reusable capabilities that scale across the Blue Ring fleet.

What You Will Do

• Integrate ATX algorithms for orbit determination, orbit prediction, maneuver planning, and attitude design into the FDS, ensuring rigor, integrity, configuration control, and compatibility with the Monte-propagated truth environment.
• Productionize astrodynamics algorithms from analysis into maintainable operational Python and C++ software. Define interfaces, configurations, and data products; write documentation for maintenance and end-user use.
• Implement unit, integration, regression, and scenario-based testing to verify performance across mission use cases. Support requirement verification and validation efforts using independent tools.
• Partner with ATX engineers and the Flight Dynamics System software architect to mature integration patterns and ensure capabilities fit the broader ground-system architecture.
• Validate integrated capabilities through simulation, test, and mission rehearsals. Maintain operational readiness during mission-critical activities by triaging issues, isolating root causes, and delivering software patches.
• Perform operational orbit determination and mission design processes for an assigned lifecycle mission. Develop analysis software and contribute to flight dynamics products and reviews.
• Automate algorithm integration, testing, and flight dynamics workflows as ATX scales from individual missions toward fleet-level operations.
• Help establish and sustain team standards for algorithmic software development, testing, code review, configuration control, and lifecycle maintenance.
• Scope, estimate, and plan work in deliverable increments using Jira and git.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field with 4+ years of relevant experience; M.S. in a related field with 2+ years of relevant experience; or Ph.D. in a related field.
• Strong working knowledge of astrodynamics and orbital mechanics, with applied project, research, or professional experience in spacecraft mission design (trajectory analysis, maneuver planning) or orbit determination (estimation, covariance analysis, tracking-data processing).
• Demonstrated experience developing, integrating, testing, and maintaining scientific, simulation, autonomy, mission-planning, or operational software in a collaborative codebase, including diagnosing and resolving complex software, algorithm, or data-processing issues.
• Strong proficiency in Python or C++ and working proficiency in the other, including software design, debugging, automated testing, and performance-aware development. Julia experience is a plus.
• Experience with software engineering practices including version control, code review, automated testing, configuration management, and CI/CD or equivalent build-and-test workflows.
• Working knowledge of spacecraft flight dynamics workflows including orbit determination, orbit prediction, maneuver planning, and the use of configuration-controlled data and models to produce operational products.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, scope ambiguous technical problems, and deliver results with minimal oversight.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including collaborating across technical disciplines and authoring technical documentation.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using the Monte toolkit for trajectory analysis, orbit determination, maneuver planning, or operational flight dynamics, and independent tools such as STK, FreeFlyer, or GMAT for algorithm verification and validation.
• Experience developing or integrating operational flight dynamics, ground, mission-planning, autonomy, or other mission-critical software systems.
• Experience supporting a production environment, including issue triage, root cause analysis, problem detection and isolation, software patches, and software releases, with clear understanding of operational risks and impacts.
• Experience supporting mission rehearsals, live spacecraft operations, or other time-critical operational environments, ideally on cislunar or interplanetary missions.
• Experience with radiometric or GPS orbit determination, or with trajectory optimization and maneuver planning for high-thrust or electric-propulsion missions.
• Experience with DevOps practices and tooling, including configuration control, CI/CD, code review, Jira, git, Docker, Terraform, and Ansible, and AWS services such as EC2, EKS, S3, MSK, and Aurora.
• Experience communicating effectively across a distributed team.
• Experience using generative AI tools to expedite and automate your workflow.
• Current TS/SCI clearance with polygraph, or willingness to obtain and maintain one.

Compensation and Benefits

Base pay range for Colorado applicants: $123,714.00 - $173,199.60. Other site ranges may differ.

Benefits include medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with company match up to 5%, and Education Support Program. Stock options available for all regular employees (20+ hours/week). Paid time off up to four weeks per year based on scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays. Bonus eligibility dependent on role type and job level.

About Blue Origin

This role is part of Blue National Security (BNS), focused on the design, development, and delivery of launch and spacecraft systems for national security missions. Through Blue Ring, an all-in-one hybrid solar-electric and chemical-propelled spacecraft, we provide unmatched mission maneuverability, versatility, and capacity at lower costs.