Lead Engineer, Astrodynamics Operations

BLUE ORIGIN

. Design and execute critical maneuvers during flight operations with real-time decision making.

Posted 5/19/2026full-timeReston • Virginia • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $156,802 - $219,522 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Python

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Design and execute critical maneuvers during flight operations with real-time decision making.
Develop navigation rehearsal processes, day-in-the-life ops simulations, console logs, and facilitate the integration of flight dynamics software.
Automate astrodynamics operations processes to the limits that are possible as Blue Ring grows into fleet-wide operations.
Work closely with mission planners, flight operations stakeholders, payload customers, systems engineers, and vehicle engineers.
Perform flight dynamics algorithm development as needed, aid in its implementation into the Flight Dynamics software system, and understand its execution in the operational ground system.
Present results and support critical design reviews using Agile development methodologies.
Perform mission analysis ensuring robust mission performance across multiple operational scenarios.
Communicate effectively with the distributed team of flight operations engineers.

Requirements

What you’ll need

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related fields
3+ years of proven experience focused on satellite mission design
Experience performing ground-based spacecraft orbit determination or maneuvering in live operations
Strong fundamentals in astrodynamics, high-thrust trajectory optimization, and low-thrust trajectory optimization
Applied experience in navigation tools such as Monte, STK/ODTK, FreeFlyer, Copernicus, or GMAT
Experience in at least one of the following languages: Python, Julia, or C++
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Benefits

Comp & perks

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
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
Up to 14 company-paid holidays.

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

astrodynamicstrajectory optimizationflight dynamics algorithm developmentnavigation toolsPythonJuliaC++mission analysisautomation of operations processes

Soft Skills

real-time decision makingeffective communicationcollaborationpresentation skills