Avionics Chief Engineer

Application close date: Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!

This role is part of the Blue Origin Engines business unit, where our focus is the design, development, manufacturing, and testing of engines and propulsion systems. Built for multiple uses, our family of engines is powering the next generation of rockets for commercial, civil, national security, and human spaceflight.

Blue Origin is self-funding rapid development of multiple in-space flight systems – over a range of sizes, propellant types, and technical challenge. This position resides within the Avionics & Control Systems organization, in the Engine Business Unit, and spans Systems Engineering and Program Execution. As an Avionics Chief Engineer in the Engines Business Unit, you will provide independent avionics/electrical systems technical oversight across programs within Blue Origin Engines Business Unit. You will be accountable for the avionics technical integrity by ensuring sound technical design and compliance to standards throughout the entire product life cycle from conceptual design to product fielding, with a heavy emphasis on increasing product manufacturability and reducing product life cycle cost. The position requires strong engineering and collaboration skills that will be utilized across Blue Origin engine programs, sites, and partners to implement sound solutions that support the imposed target cost, requirements and architecture. In a fast-paced and exciting environment, you will lead teams to develop innovative and affordable solutions, while demonstrating personal leadership, competence, and a passion for the highest technical standards. In this role, you will collaborate with the business unit and engineering functional leadership to achieve program goals. Additionally, you will be providing guidance and mentoring to early career engineers and help foster a strong collaborative environment.

Other key responsibilities include:

• Develop and standardize design processes/tools for Avionics Systems that include design/simulation tools, analysis methods, and verification methods

• Oversee product design to ensure that the avionic system meets performance requirements and is highly manufacturable and affordable

• Collaborate with Manufacturing to identify and implement methods/processes of lowering product cost and increasing production rate

• Assess and disposition technical risks with considerations to program cost and schedule

• Chair gated design reviews for avionic systems and components

• Work with product teams on practical solutions across the product lifecycle

• Provide and lead independent reviews of avionics related failures at the program/product level and work with functional managers in resolving systemic issues

• Facilitate technical trades and advise teams on solutions

• Collaborate with leadership to define and assess technology road-map alignment with program and product needs and industry development

• Participate with other members to assess and enforce engineering process health and compliance

• Represent the Company and project with key customers

• Coordinate with programs Chief Engineers on avionics solutions/improvements for their respective programs

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace or equivalent

• 15+ years of experience in development and production of avionics, safety critical electronic systems, and/or control systems

• Experience with analog, digital, software and firmware designs and development processes

• Experience with wire harness design including production considerations

• Experience with the design and application of instrumentation sensors and actuators

• Demonstrated technical knowledge of the full development, verification and certification processes for safety critical avionics and/or control systems

• Demonstrated experience in avionics manufacturing to provide production support

• Demonstrated ability to operate with cohesive and effective teams and drive decision making within those teams

• Demonstrated leadership in an aerospace product development environment

• Ability to travel and/or temporary duty in support of growing tempos of production and operations

• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion

• 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:

• An M.S. in an engineering-related field.

• Experience in full life-cycle development of spacecraft and / or satellite avionics software/firmware development, integration, testing, and formal verification.

Base Pay Range for: WA applicants is $213,677.00 - $299,147.10

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Export Control Regulations Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background Check

• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation

• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing, vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.

• Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits

• Benefits include: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.

• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)

• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.

• Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

Equal Employment Opportunity Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on “Know Your Rights,” please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.