Avionics Systems Engineer Verified today

About the role

As an Avionics Systems Engineer, you'll pioneer novel data handling architectures for national security space missions, working at the intersection of hardware innovation, software development, and communications security. You'll be hands-on with cutting-edge Command and Data Handling (C&DH) systems and encryption architectures, collaborating directly with core hardware developers, software engineers, and communication security specialists.

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

Responsibilities

• Participate in C&DH system architecture, trade studies, and concept development with integrated cryptographic and cybersecurity features, from requirements through operations support
• Translate system data handling and security requirements into actionable subsystem and component-level specifications, ensuring compliance across the design lifecycle
• Own verification and validation planning and execution, including hands-on participation in Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) test environments, to validate C&DH and encryption hardware against requirements
• Actively support test campaigns, diagnose anomalies at the hardware/software interface level, and drive issues to root cause closure
• Drive technical excellence through participation in design reviews and cross-functional collaboration with hardware development teams
• Serve as a technical resource during hardware integration and test campaigns, using data and interface knowledge to debug C&DH hardware anomalies, characterize failure modes, and drive corrective actions across hardware, firmware, and software teams

Qualifications

• B.S. in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field with 5+ years industry experience developing avionics systems
• Expertise in delivering mission-critical C&DH systems including data handling architectures and cryptographic systems
• Familiarity with common spacecraft interfaces (Ethernet, MIL-STD-1553, SpaceWire) and digital/analog electrical interfaces (I2C, SPI, Serial)
• Strong foundation in layer 2/3 networking concepts (Ethernet, VLANs, QoS, IP, TCP/UDP, routing)
• Experience with requirements definition and decomposition, interface control, and verification
• Exceptional communicator and collaborator who thrives in fast-paced environments, analyzes complex systems effectively, and builds trusted relationships across teams

Desired qualifications

• M.S. in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field with full spacecraft design lifecycle industry experience
• Experience with HIL simulation environments for spacecraft avionics verification, including hardware stimulation, fault injection, and anomaly reproduction
• NSA Type 1 encryption device expertise including certification processes, TEMPEST/EMSEC requirements, and CNSSI 1253/NIST 800-53 controls for space systems
• Experience interfacing with NSA, COMSEC custodians, or CCI handling, with proven ability to deliver space-qualified integrated hardware/software components
• Space environment design expertise including radiation effects, SEU mitigation, parts selection, processor/storage architectures, and CCSDS communication protocols
• Proficiency with electrical system design and analysis tools (Altium, OrCAD, KiCad, LTspice, MS Visio)
• Familiarity with hardware bring-up procedures for embedded processors, FPGAs, or C&DH subsystems
• Demonstrated ability to lead anomaly investigations across hardware, firmware, and software boundaries, including failure mode documentation and root cause analysis
• Experience with scripting languages such as Python

Compensation

Base pay range for WA applicants: $130,706.00 to $182,987.70. Other site ranges may differ.

Requirements

Applicants 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.

Blue's Standard Background Check is required for all positions.