Senior pLEO Systems Engineer Verified today
Role Overview
Blue Origin seeks a Senior pLEO Systems Engineer to serve as technical architect for proliferated Low Earth Orbit mission and constellation proposals. You will bridge customer mission requirements and executable system design, working hands-on with embedded engineering teams to ground proposal-level architecture in real subsystem and hardware constraints. You will own the technical narrative for Design Reference Missions (DRMs), lead trade studies spanning orbital geometry, launch vehicle selection, and verification strategy, and translate complex mission requirements into credible, compelling technical solutions.
This is a high-visibility role at the intersection of systems engineering, mission architecture, and business development, directly shaping how Blue Origin wins and executes next-generation pLEO programs. The role is part of Blue National Security business unit's Advanced System organization, where the multi-disciplinary Future Concepts and Capabilities team operates at the forefront of systems engineering, formulation, and architecture.
Responsibilities
- Provide end-to-end systems engineering support across bus and mission architecture, partnering closely with embedded engineering teams to understand subsystem design, hardware implementation, and design nuances at detailed technical level
- Develop technical architecture for RFI/RFP responses, translating customer requirements into system-level architecture, budgets, and technical approach across mission and bus scope
- Define high-level interfaces and technical budgets at bus and mission level (mass, power, propellant, link) to support proposal-level costing, feasibility, and technical credibility
- Propose verification and compliance approach for proposed missions, presenting recommended V&V structure and strategy for leadership approval
- Conduct orbital geometry analysis and associated trade studies, presenting design options to inform mission and constellation design decisions
- Conduct launch vehicle assessments and compliance trade studies, presenting findings to inform vehicle selection and integration approach
- Develop Design Reference Missions (DRMs) as primary technical narrative translating customer mission requirements into proposed system architecture and performance claims
- Support capture and business development teams by preparing technical content and recommendations
- Prepare technical materials and talking points for technical interchange meetings and orals in support of customer engagements
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field
- Demonstrated systems engineering execution experience across multiple programs and customers (government and commercial), providing technical grounding to architect credible, executable proposals
- Hands-on experience with subsystem/hardware-level design details and direct work with embedded engineering teams to understand implementation-level constraints
- Experience with pLEO architectures and constellation-scale programs, including trade studies across full program lifecycle (design through deployment)
- Direct experience authoring technical proposal volumes and/or supporting technical response strategy for RFIs/RFPs
- Working understanding of V&V and AI&T / SEIT processes, sufficient to propose and defend technical approach during bid processes
- Experience translating program execution realities (cost, schedule, manufacturability) into proposal-level technical claims
- Must be U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted as refugee or granted asylum
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in satellite flight operations
- Experience in Ground Systems implications and needs for pLEO constellation designs and coverages
- Strong understanding of reliability, redundancy, and fault-tolerant system design
- Experience conducting re-entry and disposal risk analysis (e.g., ODMSP, casualty risk assessment)
- TS/SCI clearance preferred but not required; must be eligible for clearance
Compensation and Location
Base Pay Range varies by location: CA, WA, and VA applicants: $145,188.00 to $203,263.20; CO applicants: $133,500.00 to $186,898.95. Other site ranges may differ.
This role offers relocation assistance and requires up to 25% travel. Position available at 6 locations.
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%
- Stock options for regular employees (20+ hours/week)
- Up to four weeks paid time off per year and up to 14 company-paid holidays
- Education Support Program