Principal Ground Navigation Engineer Verified today

Principal Ground Navigation Engineer

Join the Mission Design and Ground Navigation team within the Mission Operations System IPT for Blue Origin's Lunar Permanence business unit. You will shape trajectory analysis for spacecraft from Earth to the Moon and serve as technical authority for ground-based radiometric measurements and orbit determination.

What you will do

• Guide ground navigation trades and analysis using statistical orbit determination expertise
• Architect next-generation operational flight dynamics software to meet evolving mission needs
• Define standards and processes ensuring navigation accuracy across Blue Origin's lunar programs
• Interface with GNC, systems engineering, and flight operations to integrate and validate ground navigation end-to-end
• Coordinate with tracking providers and Deep Space Network for tracking data requirements and data acquisition
• Perform live, ground-based orbit determination for crewed and uncrewed lunar missions
• Serve as key technical reviewer for navigation-related design reviews across business units
• Mentor and lead a growing team of navigation engineers; establish best practices for algorithm development, testing, and verification
• Represent Blue Origin to external partners and customers

You bring

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• 12+ years proven experience in trajectory analysis, flight dynamics, or ground navigation
• Strong track record developing and implementing orbit determination algorithms
• Deep expertise in radiometric navigation techniques (Doppler and ranging)
• Strong fundamentals in astrodynamics, orbital mechanics, and estimation theory
• Applied experience across full ground navigation lifecycle from conceptualization through operational flight support
• Experience coordinating with Deep Space Network for tracking and data acquisition
• Proficiency in one or more of: Julia, Python, C++, Rust, or MATLAB
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (Green Card), or lawfully admitted as refugee or granted asylum

Preferred qualifications

• M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• 15+ years proven experience in trajectory analysis, flight dynamics, or ground navigation
• Experience in cislunar navigation
• Experience leading a navigation team through design, development, and operational flight
• Experience performing spacecraft operations (navigation support, maneuver planning, real-time anomaly resolution)
• Experience using Monte software package
• Experience with DevOps processes including configuration control, continuous development and deployment workflows, Agile methodologies, and software code review
• Experience with software development tooling such as Jira, git, Jenkins, Docker, Visual Studio, or VSCode

Compensation and location

Base pay range varies by location:

• Colorado applicants: $173,466.00 to $242,851.35 annually
• Washington applicants: $183,193.00 to $256,469.85 annually

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 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
• Performance bonuses may apply based on role type and job level

Application process

Applications accepted on an ongoing basis until requisition closes. Background check required for all positions. Blue's Standard Background Check and additional checks may apply depending on role requirements.