Senior Simulation 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 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.

Responsibilities

Consisting of: Early studies / pre-project work (architecture & trades) and Project execution (design, implementation, verification)

• Rapidly stand up and iterate Newton dynamic models (6-DoF / multi-body as appropriate) to evaluate system concepts, margins, sensitivity, and operational envelopes

• Build scenario-based rover mobility studies in Isaac Sim (terrain/slope/obstacle cases, contact/traction behaviors, repeatable test harnesses) to inform requirements and design decisions

• Develop terra mechanics approaches appropriate to fidelity needs (e.g., simplified parametric models for trades vs. higher-fidelity models for risk retirement) and quantify key sensitivities/uncertainties

• Support control architecture and actuator concept trades by providing simulation data products (control margins, sensitivity sweeps, operational envelopes)

• Produce technical roadmaps: model maturation plan, test-to-model correlation plan, and phased verification strategy (MIL→SIL→HIL)

• Generate synthetic data to support machine learning training activities

• Mature Isaac Sim + Newton models into verification-grade assets: configuration management, parameter governance, logging/metrics, automated regression scenarios

• Correlate models to component/vehicle/rover test data; drive system identification, parameter updates, and model credibility arguments

• Implement plant models, actuator dynamics, sensor models, and environment interactions within simulation frameworks to enable closed-loop analysis

• Define simulation verification artifacts (test cases, scenario coverage, acceptance criteria, model credibility evidence) for both space vehicle and rover mobility domains

• Support debugging and anomaly resolution from lab to integrated testing (and operations as applicable) through simulation replay and analysis

• Mentor junior engineers and establish best practices for simulation/modeling software quality and reviews

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years developing physics-based simulation and dynamic models for high-reliability systems (aerospace/space, mobility platforms, or similarly mission-critical systems)

• Strong dynamics and multibody modeling fundamentals: rigid/flexible body formulations, contact mechanics, actuator/sensor abstraction, numerical methods

• Demonstrated ability to use simulation to drive decisions across the lifecycle: trade studies → design → verification

• Experience with simulation framework development (Python, C/C++) plus disciplined configuration management, automated testing, and verification practices

• Familiarity with control system concepts sufficient to implement and evaluate closed-loop simulations (stability, estimation, tuning)

Desired Qualifications

• B.S. (M.S./Ph.D. preferred) in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Robotics, Computational Science, or related field

• Hands-on experience with NVIDIA Isaac Sim for mobility/vehicle scenario simulation (repeatable environments, terrain/contact interaction workflows, logging/analysis)

• Experience developing/using Newton dynamics models for rapid iteration and verification support (multi-body/6-DoF, actuator/sensor abstractions, Monte Carlo/sensitivity)

• Lunar surface terra mechanics experience (slip/traction modeling, sinkage/rolling resistance, slope handling)

• MIL/SIL/HIL verification experience and automated regression testing of simulation scenarios

• Experience correlating models to hardware test data (system identification, parameter estimation, model credibility frameworks)

• Experience applying modern software practices to modeling/simulation (CI, automated tests, configuration/parameter management)

Base Pay Range for: WA applicants is $197,529.00 - $276,539.55

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.