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Orbit Determination and Mission Design Engineer II Verified today

Blue Origin · 2 Locations · Space Systems · first seen 2026-09-03
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Role Overview

Join Blue Origin's Astrodynamics and Trajectory eXecution (ATX) team within the Blue National Security business unit. You will build deep expertise in spacecraft orbit determination while contributing to mission design activities across GEO, cislunar, and interplanetary mission portfolios. This is a hands-on, learning-forward role with heavy emphasis on software development and operational support.

Your Impact

  • Perform Orbit Determination: Process radiometric, Doppler and GPS data to generate orbit solutions for GEO, cislunar, and interplanetary spacecraft; interpret and communicate results in an operational context.
  • Develop Navigation Software: Write, test, and maintain navigation algorithms and data processing tools in Python, Julia, or C++; contribute to a shared codebase following software development best practices.
  • Support Mission Operations: Provide operations support during mission-critical phases, executing orbit determination products under real-time constraints alongside experienced navigators.
  • Contribute to Mission Design: Support trajectory and mission design tasks for GEO, cislunar, and interplanetary concepts.
  • Build and Validate Models: Develop and validate force models, measurement models, and simulation tools that underpin high-fidelity navigation analysis.
  • Collaborate and Communicate: Work closely with ATX team members, flight operations teams, and systems engineers; document and present results in technical memos and design reviews.
  • Deliver with Agile Discipline: Contribute to sprint planning and delivery in an Agile development environment; use tools such as Jira and git to manage and track your work.

Minimum Qualifications

  • M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fields with 2+ years of relevant experience; OR Ph.D. with no additional experience required.
  • Foundational knowledge of astrodynamics and orbital mechanics.
  • Experience or coursework in orbit determination, estimation theory, or navigation.
  • Experience in at least one of the following: Python, Julia, or C++.
  • Familiarity with numerical simulation tools or scripted analysis environments.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • 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

  • Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fields.
  • Applied experience with orbit determination tools such as Monte, STK/ODTK, FreeFlyer, or GMAT.
  • Familiarity with GEO, cislunar, or interplanetary mission environments and their associated navigation challenges.
  • Experience with radiometric orbit determination (Doppler, ranging) or optical navigation techniques.
  • Experience with mission design analysis including trajectory trade studies, delta-v budgeting, or ConOps development.
  • Exposure to spacecraft operations or mission operations environments.
  • Experience with DevOps processes including configuration control, continuous integration/deployment, Agile methodologies, and code review.
  • Experience with software development tooling such as Jira, git, Jenkins, Docker, and at least one IDE.
  • Experience using generative AI tools to expedite and automate your workflow.
  • Willingness or ability to acquire Active Top Secret (TS) / Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security clearance with Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) with polygraph preferred.

Compensation

Base pay range for VA applicants: $107,136.00 to $149,990.40. CO applicants: $98,208.00 to $137,491.20. Other site ranges may differ.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance
  • Paid parental leave, short and long-term disability
  • 401(k) with company match up to 5%
  • Education Support Program
  • Stock options for all regular employees (20+ hours/week)
  • Paid time off: up to four weeks per year and up to 14 company-paid holidays
  • Performance-based bonuses and eligibility subject to company discretion