Sr. Navigation Engineer Verified today
The Role
As a Senior Navigation Engineer in the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) and Avionics team, you will design, analyze, and test navigation algorithms and systems. Your expertise will ensure the accuracy and reliability of our navigation performance. This position requires deep theoretical understanding and practical ability to develop sophisticated estimation algorithms, including Kalman filters, for real-world applications.
What You'll Do
- Design, develop, and implement advanced navigation and estimation algorithms, with a primary focus on Kalman filters for Inertial Navigation Systems (INS)
- Model and simulate inertial sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes) and GPS receivers to analyze and predict navigation system performance
- Lead the integration of navigation components into the broader GNC and avionics architecture
- Develop and execute test plans to verify and validate navigation system performance in simulation and hardware-in-the-loop environments
- Analyze sensor data to characterize and calibrate inertial measurement units (IMUs) and other navigation sensors
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex navigation-related issues found during testing and operations
- Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership in navigation systems
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including hardware, software, and systems engineers, to deliver integrated solutions
Required Qualifications
- Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline
- 5-10 years of experience in navigation systems analysis, design, and testing
- Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing Kalman filters for Inertial Navigation Systems (INS)
- Strong theoretical and practical understanding of inertial sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes) and GPS technology
- Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink
- Solid programming skills in C++ or Python for algorithm development and data analysis
- Proven ability to lead technical projects and mentor other engineers
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
- 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 a relevant field with a focus on estimation theory or navigation
- Experience with tightly-coupled and loosely-coupled GPS/INS integration
- Hands-on experience with testing and validating navigation systems on hardware
- Knowledge of other navigation techniques, such as terrain-relative navigation, star trackers, or visual odometry
- Familiarity with navigation system software and hardware development for safety-critical applications
Compensation and Benefits
Base pay range varies by location:
- CA, WA, VA applicants: $156,802.00 - $219,522.45
- CO applicants: $144,179.00 - $201,849.90
- Other site ranges may differ
Benefits include 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 regular employees working at least 20 hours/week, and up to four weeks paid time off plus up to 14 company-paid holidays annually.
Work Environment
This role is part of Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE), supporting Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. The team fosters innovation and drives engineering workflows of the future, shared solutions and standards, simplicity and lower costs, and manufacturable design.