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Senior Mission Planning Engineer - TeraWave Verified today

Blue Origin · 2 Locations · Space Systems · first seen 2026-09-03
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About TeraWave

Blue Origin is pioneering space-based communications with TeraWave, a revolutionary satellite communications network delivering symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This multi-orbit constellation consists of optically interconnected satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO).

Your Role

As Senior Mission Planning Engineer, you will architect and lead the development of mission planning processes, products, and operational workflows across the TeraWave program. You are the critical bridge spanning the full mission planning chain from system-level requirements and mission design, through concept of operations development, down to the command sequences, procedures, and plays that operations teams execute. You will translate top-level mission objectives and constraints into structured planning frameworks, ensure those frameworks drive the development of executable operational products, and provide mission planners with the processes, templates, and tools they need to succeed.

Responsibilities

  • Design and own the end-to-end mission planning process from mission design through operational execution, including planning cycle workflows, activity request intake, deconfliction, resource allocation, and timeline generation.
  • Establish constraint frameworks that govern how activities are scheduled, sequenced, and validated.
  • Translate system-level requirements, mission design outputs, and mission objectives into actionable planning requirements.
  • Define command sequence structure, procedure formats, and play architectures that align with the mission planning process.
  • Ensure mission planners have clear, validated activity templates, planning tools, and operational processes for planning cycles during mission operations.
  • Partner with mission planning software architects and developers to define operational requirements and design, validate, and integrate mission-unique activity templates and command sequences into planning tools.
  • Lead development of mission planning operations products, including activity templates, constraint definitions, planning procedures, and timeline products.
  • Contribute to the development and maintenance of mission planning tools and automation capabilities.
  • Support test activities and rehearsals as the mission planning technical lead, ensuring planning products are verified and validated through simulation, rehearsal, and review processes.
  • Mentor and guide junior mission planning engineers and operations team mission planners on planning processes and best practices.
  • Support real-time mission operations as an on-console mission planner during launch, early orbit phase, and other critical mission events as needed.
  • Represent mission planning in cross-functional forums and design reviews.

Minimum Qualifications

  • B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field.
  • 8 or more years of experience in spacecraft mission operations, mission planning, flight dynamics, or flight operations.
  • Demonstrated experience designing or significantly contributing to new mission planning processes, tools, or systems.
  • Experience developing command sequences, operational procedures, or activity timelines for spacecraft operations.
  • Strong understanding of spacecraft subsystems and how they constrain operational planning (power, thermal, data, comms availability, attitude).
  • Software development experience in Python or equivalent programming language.
  • Experience working across organizational boundaries to integrate engineering outputs into operational products.

Preferred Qualifications

  • M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
  • Experience with multi-mission or constellation operations planning.
  • Experience leading or coordinating test exercises, rehearsals, or operational readiness activities.
  • Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approaches and how they feed operational planning.
  • Experience with ground system command and control architectures.
  • Knowledge of electric propulsion systems and low-thrust trajectory planning.
  • Experience applying AI/ML techniques to engineering workflows, such as building or integrating intelligent automation, optimization models, or data-driven decision support tools.
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
  • Strong communication and coordination skills for interfacing with customers, engineering teams, and operations personnel.

Compensation and Location

Base pay range: $156,802 to $219,522.45 annually for VA and WA applicants. Other site ranges may differ.

Employment Requirements

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin 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.

A standard background check is required for all positions.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance.
  • Paid parental leave.
  • Short and long-term disability.
  • 401(k) with company match of up to 5%.
  • Education Support Program.
  • Stock options for all regular employees (20 hours/week or more).
  • Paid time off: up to four weeks per year based on scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
  • Performance-based bonuses depending on role type and job level (not guaranteed).