Principal Avionics Hardware Engineer Verified today
Blue Origin's In-Space Systems business unit addresses space infrastructure and on-orbit mobility. You will work within Blue National Security (BNS), a multidisciplinary team covering power systems, thermal management, guidance and navigation, autonomy, command and control, data handling, electrical integration, avionics, and propulsion.
As a Principal Avionics Hardware Engineer, you will be responsible for the entire lifecycle of spacecraft electronic systems. This role demands systems-thinking combined with hands-on building and problem-solving. You will design, develop, and test avionics hardware from component to integrated system level, working in the lab as well as at the design workstation.
Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and test spacecraft avionics systems
- Lead the design and analysis of vehicle power systems, including power generation, energy storage, regulation, and distribution architectures
- Perform hands-on fabrication, assembly, and testing of engineering-level hardware, including building and modifying wire harnesses, soldering components, and integrating sensor systems
- Design for the space radiation environment, applying principles of radiation hardening (TID, SEE) and selecting components to meet mission requirements
- Define and manage requirements for sensors (IMUs, star trackers, magnetometers, pressure transducers, temperature sensors) and their electrical interfaces (analog, SPI, I2C, UART, RS-422, CAN, Ethernet)
- Collaborate with mechanical and thermal teams to influence vehicle layout, packaging, connector selection, and system design
- Develop schematics, manage PCB layout, and perform simulations (SPICE) for critical circuits
- Create test plans, procedures, and reports for hardware verification and validation at board, box, and system levels
- Troubleshoot complex hardware issues across integrated systems and support vehicle-level testing and launch campaigns
- Generate and maintain electrical power budgets encompassing power consumption and generation/storage margin management by mission phase
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related technical discipline
- 15 or more years of experience in avionics and power hardware development for aerospace, defense, automotive, or other high-reliability applications
- Demonstrated hands-on experience designing, building, and reworking wire harnesses and prototype electronics
- Understanding of common circuit analyses (Worst Case Circuit Analysis, Derating, Power Analysis, Timing)
- Strong understanding of designing for the space radiation environment and its effects on electronic components
- Experience working with a variety of sensor types and their associated analog and digital interfaces
- Experience with schematic capture and PCB layout tools such as Altium Designer or Cadence
Preferred Qualifications
- Master of Science in a related technical discipline
- Experience with end-to-end development of avionics for a spaceflight mission
- Experience with environmental testing (thermal, vacuum, vibration, shock) per standards like SMC-S-016 or MIL-STD-810
- Proven experience in the design and analysis of power generation, energy storage, power electronics and power distribution systems (photovoltaics, DC/DC converters, battery systems, fault protection)
- Experience with high-voltage power systems
- Familiarity with systems engineering processes, including requirements management and verification
Compensation
Base pay ranges by location:
- CA: $183,193 - $256,470
- CO: $173,466 - $242,851
- WA: $183,193 - $256,470
- VA: $183,193 - $256,470
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 working at least 20 hours per week
- Paid time off: up to four weeks per year based on scheduled hours, plus up to 14 company-paid holidays
- Eligibility for bonuses based on role type and job level, at company's sole discretion
Export Control and Employment Requirements
Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum.
Background Check
Required for all positions: Blue's Standard Background Check. Additional background checks may be required depending on role profile and work location.