Mission Simulation Engineer III

BLUE ORIGIN

Mission Simulation Engineer III developing an integrated simulation model for TeraWave satellite communications. Collaborating with engineering teams to ensure accurate flight system behavior and performance optimization.

Posted 6/4/2026full-timeCalifornia, Colorado, Washington • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $121,023 - $169,432 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Python

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Take a lead role in implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving the TeraWave integrated mission simulation model within the integrated systems modelling team
Develop and maintain high-fidelity orbital mechanics models including orbit propagation, constellation geometry, station-keeping maneuvers, and coverage analysis
Develop and apply orbit optimization methodologies to maximize coverage, capacity, and payload utilization while minimizing constellation system cost and operational complexity
Build and integrate beam assignment and payload scheduling models that reflect realistic antenna patterns, coverage footprints, and link performance constraints across both RF and optical link domains
Develop simulation capabilities for both inter-satellite links (ISL) and ground-to-space links, spanning RF and optical link types, including link budget and availability modeling
Develop traffic routing and load utilization models that simulate end-to-end data flow across the constellation under realistic and stressing demand scenarios
Develop and maintain spacecraft power models capturing solar array generation, battery cycling, and power consumption across all operational modes
Model constellation deployment phases and build-up timelines to support program planning, architecture trades, and early operations analysis
Collaborate with fleet management, mission operations, payload, power, network, and GNC engineering teams to ensure simulation inputs and fidelity levels are consistent with subsystem designs and interface definitions
Engage with the GNC team to ensure orbital mechanics modeling assumptions, attitude control constraints, and maneuver planning are accurately reflected within the integrated simulation framework
Partner with systems engineering teams to define and validate constellation-level performance requirements through simulation-based analysis
Define and support simulation verification and validation approaches, including benchmarking against analytical models, heritage data, and in-orbit telemetry as it becomes available
Develop workflows and tooling to support parametric trade studies and sensitivity analyses that directly inform constellation architecture and design decisions
Partner with business and product teams to translate simulation outputs — including coverage availability, capacity margins, and service continuity metrics — into inputs that drive revenue modeling and define viable commercial service tiers and offerings
Communicate simulation methodology, assumptions, and results clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders through written reports, presentations, and data visualizations
Maintain simulation software infrastructure including version control, documentation, and regression testing frameworks
Lead root cause investigations when simulation predictions deviate from test or on-orbit data, and drive model updates accordingly
Contribute to team growth through supporting hiring efforts, identifying capability gaps, and mentoring junior simulation and systems engineers.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Minimum of a master's degree in aerospace engineering, systems engineering, applied mathematics, or equivalent technical field
5+ years of related experience (including graduate work) in spacecraft systems engineering, mission analysis, or constellation simulation, with demonstrated hands-on expertise in astrodynamics and orbital mechanics
Proficiency in simulation development and scripting tools such as Python, MATLAB, or C++
Experience developing or integrating simulation models spanning at least two of the following domains: orbital mechanics, RF or optical link performance, spacecraft power systems, or network traffic modeling
Familiarity with satellite link budget analysis, beam coverage modeling, and payload performance metrics across RF and optical communications links
Working knowledge of spacecraft power system fundamentals including solar array performance, battery modeling, and power mode management
Ability to read and interpret interface control documents, systems requirements documents, and engineering specifications across multiple disciplines
Ability to perform data analysis and reduction and present technical information in a clear and compelling visual format.

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
Bonuses based on company’s intent to reward individual contributions

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

orbital mechanicsorbit propagationconstellation geometrystation-keeping maneuverscoverage analysisorbit optimization methodologiesbeam assignment modelspayload scheduling modelstraffic routing modelsspacecraft power models

Soft Skills

communicationcollaborationmentoringproblem-solvingdata analysistechnical presentationteam growthleadership

Certifications

master's degree in aerospace engineeringmaster's degree in systems engineeringmaster's degree in applied mathematics