Lunar MK2 Flight Planning Responsible Engineer

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 diverse team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!  

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 diverse team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!  

This role is part of Lunar Permanence mission operations, which develops the mission operations systems and procedures that support Blue Origin’s multiple Blue Moon lander product lines. To further Blue Origin's mission of having millions of people living and working in space, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface. 

As part of a hardworking team of diverse flight operations professionals, you will work across the lunar team to develop and maintain flight planning timelines that support our Sustaining Lunar Development contract with NASA. You will help conceptualize and develop requirements for tools that enable rapid analysis and replanning of mission events while ensuring complex constraints are met. Starting from the spacecraft concept of operations, you will use analysis and engineering judgment to develop the sequencing of events for both uncrewed and crewed phases of flight. You will develop flight rules and processes that will establish repeatable, error-free spacecraft planning that ensures constraints on communication, power, propellant and other system parameters are met. You will work with commercial and government communication service providers to establish agreements and implement scheduling of assets such as ground communication antennas and satellite communication relays to support spacecraft operations. You will also have the opportunity to train and support the execution of the mission from our mission control center.

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!

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop and maintain spacecraft operational flight planning timelines for multiple spacecraft elements that support our Sustaining Lunar Development architecture
• Create processes for flight planning that integrate the inputs from multiple internal and external partners.
• Work with cross-functional experts to utilize existing tools or develop requirements for new tools that support the flight planning process
• Interface with National Team partners and the NASA customer to ensure flight plans are compatible with externally used platforms and are integrated across elements
• Interface with communication providers to schedule the use of ground and space-based communication assets in support of the mission
• Support and lead mission planning working groups and other forums related to the development of the mission plan
• Train to support real-time mission operations from mission control
• Support mission operations during lunar vehicle flights, which may include occasional work outside of normal business hours

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum BS Degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Systems or related Engineering field
• Previous experience as a spacecraft operator or mission planner, including time on console or in a control room
• Knowledge of spacecraft system and subsystem functionality
• Leadership experience working in cross-functional teams
• Experience with generating mission plans, flight plans, or activity planning for spacecraft operations
• Proven safety mentality
• Takes initiative to improve existing systems, processes, and documentation
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• 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:

• Experience working with ground antenna and in-space communication providers, including government assets such as NASA’s Deep Space Network
• Experience with human spaceflight operations
• Experience in mission operations planning for NASA manned missions
• Experience with scripting languages such as Python
• Experience/understanding of web technologies such as React, CSS, JavaScript, etc.
• Understanding of standard voice protocols used in spacecraft operations

Compensation range for on site WA applicants is $136,467-$191,053

Other site ranges may differ

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

Inclusivity 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 a diverse, inclusive, and 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.

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.

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

Discretionary bonus: Bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results.

Eligibility for benefits varies by role type, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role.

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, diverse, 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, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. 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, gender, 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 “EEO Is the Law,” 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.

California Applicant Privacy Notice

If you are a California resident, please reference the CA Applicant Privacy Notice here.