Avionics System Engineer III - Avionics Controllers

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 Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin’s Blue Moon landers and related products. To further Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.

As the Avionics Controllers Systems Engineer, you will be a hands-on technical leader for a family of embedded controllers used across multiple vehicles and mechanisms (e.g., gimbals, valves, pumps, deployables). You will own the end-to-end integration and verification of these high-reliability products, ensuring they are ready to support human lunar missions. You will be responsible for defining test strategies, executing hands-on integration in the lab, and leading the resolution of complex issues to deliver safe and repeatable hardware.

Responsibilities:

• Own end-to-end technical execution for multiple embedded controllers, including requirements management, interface definition, qualification and acceptance testing, integration planning, and verification closure.
• Lead anomaly triage and root cause analysis (e.g., fishbone, 5 Whys) with cross-functional SMEs, adjudicate test failures, and present design changes or waivers to Chief Engineers, Vehicle Leads, and technical review boards.
• Define integration success criteria and verification strategy, then plan and execute Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing to demonstrate compliance and close verification evidence.
• Execute hands-on avionics troubleshooting and integration checkout, including harness checkout/integration, RS-422/RS-485 serial debug and emulation, and analog signal verification using logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, and DMMs in ESD-controlled lab environments.
• Partner with vehicle and subsystem teams (“customers”) to define integration constraints, operability needs, and verification evidence requirements.
• Identify reuse opportunities by leveraging prior hardware builds and historical test data to streamline verification campaigns and shorten schedules.
• Manage multi-tier supplier technical execution and internal stakeholder alignment to accelerate critical-path root cause analysis and hardware procurement.
• Contribute to the verification of fault-tolerant motor control designs, including redundancy strategies, safe-state behavior, fault detection/isolation/recovery, and built-in test capabilities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a relevant technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in the integration, testing, and troubleshooting of embedded systems, motor controls, or avionics hardware.
• Demonstrated experience with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) test environments, including test planning, execution, and data analysis.
• Hands-on proficiency with lab equipment, including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, digital multimeters (DMMs), and power supplies for debugging and verification.
• Solid understanding of digital communication protocols (e.g., RS-422/485, Ethernet, SPI, I2C) and experience debugging them at the physical layer.
• Experience owning a technical baseline for a product (requirements, ICDs, verification, configuration control).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience leading technical reviews and presenting complex data to leadership.
• Proven ability to work independently and lead troubleshooting efforts in a fast-paced R&D environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience developing and testing spacecraft mechanism controllers (e.g., solar array drive assemblies, antenna gimbals, valve controllers, pump drives).
• Experience serving as a Responsible Engineer (RE) for hardware integration and test.
• Experience performing FMEA/FTA or other reliability/fault tolerance analyses.
• Experience working in a safety-critical development environment (e.g., aerospace, automotive, medical) and supporting qualification testing campaigns.
• Familiarity with systems engineering tools such as Jama (or similar) and PLM systems for configuration management.
• Familiarity with Altium (or equivalent) for collaborating on PCB design reviews.
• Basic project management skills (planning, milestones, risk management, cross-team coordination).

Compensation Range for:

WA applicants is $130,706.00 - $182,987.70

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 (CDL drivers only), 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 [email protected]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.