GN&C Hardware Lead Responsible Engineer

$153,636 - $215,090/Yr

Blue Origin - Seattle, WA

Full-time - Senior

Seattle, WA

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

The GN&C Hardware Lead Responsible Engineer at Blue Origin plays a crucial role in the development and integration of guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) sensor hardware for lunar lander systems. This position involves leading a diverse team of engineers in the planning, coordination, and execution of projects aimed at ensuring safe and reliable spaceflight. The role encompasses the full lifecycle of GN&C systems, from concept development to flight hardware deployment, and requires collaboration with various internal and external stakeholders to achieve ambitious program objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and coordination of resources necessary to successfully deliver and integrate GN&C sensors and related hardware to lunar lander vehicle systems.
• Collaborate in the development of navigation and sensor hardware requirements from system-level specifications with flow-downs to subsystem and component levels, and companion verification methods.
• Lead and coordinate the design, development, integration, testing, and overall lifecycle management of GN&C hardware components and systems.
• Coordinate the design of sensor architecture and hardware configurations through design studies and sensor performance trade-offs.
• Perform and guide testing and analysis of sensor hardware, including laboratory and flight testing, shock/vibration, thermal vacuum, and radiation environments, to validate top-level system specifications and requirements and establish sensor performance specifications.
• Support the design, procurement, fabrication, test and characterization of prototype hardware.
• Support the development and execution of component-level test programs, including sensor characterization, sensor modeling, and integrated on-vehicle testing.
• Support hardware-in-the-loop testing, on-vehicle functional testing, and flight testing.
• Routinely collaborate with manufacturing operations, supply chain, and other teams within the company to ensure smooth execution of development, integration, and test efforts.
• Define, deploy, and enhance technical and programmatic processes as needed to ensure efficient team operations and timely deliverables in support of ambitious program objectives.

Requirements

• B.S. in Physics, Electrical, Mechanical, or Aerospace engineering or related areas of study.
• 10+ years of related experience with high-reliability electro-mechanical, electro-optical, or RF sensors and components for harsh and/or highly regulated environments including space, military, or automotive industries.
• Knowledge of multiple GN&C sensors, their related system components (inertial sensors, optical sensors, lenses, laser sources, RF or image processing electronics, etc.) and their characterization.
• Demonstrated experience in the development, prototyping, testing, and calibration of sensors for aerospace, military, automotive, medical, or precision robotics applications.
• Demonstrated experience in component procurement, integration, and test support.
• Demonstrated experience in test and verification of navigation or related sensors, actuators, supporting electronics and mechanical assemblies.
• Hands-on experience and proven ability to work with test, flight, and safety-critical hardware.
• Familiarity with documentation and product lifecycle management tools such as Windchill, Teamcenter, or similar.
• Familiarity with requirements management tools such as DOORS, Jama Connect, or similar.
• Knowledge of design and construction standards for high reliability electronics and mechanical components (NASA, MIL-STD, IEEE, IPC, etc.).
• Experience with analytical and scripting tools such as Matlab, LabView, or Python.
• Experience in product schedule, cost, delivery, and supplier management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast paced, dynamic work environment.
• Ability to perform data analysis and reduction and present technical information in a clear and compelling visual format.
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and strengthen our culture of inclusion.

Nice-to-haves

• M.S. in Physics, Electrical, Mechanical, or Aerospace engineering or equivalent with 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Hands on experience with spacecraft vehicle or satellite system integration and test.
• Experience in development of GN&C related sensors and instruments for space applications and space environments.
• Knowledge and experience with navigation systems that include measurements from IMU, GPS, lidar, radar, star trackers, and optical sensors.
• Detailed knowledge EEE part selection and screening for space applications.
• Working knowledge of NASA human spaceflight standards.
• Experience in leading or supporting technical teams through multiple successful product deliveries.

Benefits

• 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%
• 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 designed to reward individual contributions and allow employees to share in company results.