Principal AI/ML Autonomy Engineer

BLUE ORIGIN

Principal AI/ML Autonomy Engineer at Blue Origin defining and deploying embedded AI/ML systems. Collaborating with cross-functional teams to tackle challenges in space infrastructure and mobility on-orbit.

Posted 6/16/2026full-timeKent • Alabama, Colorado, Washington • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $218,520 - $305,926 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

PythonPyTorchRTOSTensorflow

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

You are the accountable technical lead for embedded AI/ML from architecture and model development through deployment and operational validation
Define and execute the technical roadmap
Identify, architect and fine tune embedded ML models optimized for the compute environment, balancing inference performance against strict SWaP-C (size, weight, power, and cost) constraints
Own the full ML lifecycle including data collection and pipeline development, model architecture, training, compression and quantization, hardware-aware optimization, and on-target validation
Integrate AI/ML models directly into the flight software stack, ensuring real-time performance, deterministic behavior, and compliance with safety and reliability requirements
Drive cross-functional technical alignment with FSW, avionics, ground systems, GN&C, and systems engineering, translating autonomous operations requirements into deployable, validated AI capabilities
Champion V&V and assurance practices for AI/ML in mission-critical, high-consequence space systems including uncertainty quantification, fault detection and isolation, runtime assurance, and adversarial robustness testing
Serve as the technical authority and force multiplier across the broader AI, FSW & Autonomy team, setting the bar, unblocking peers, and accelerating delivery through influence and expertise
Represent Blue National Security's AI/ML capability to government customers, program offices, and external partners

Requirements

What you’ll need

B.S. in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related technical field
10+ years in developing autonomy for mission/safety-critical embedded systems
5+ years of hands-on experience developing and deploying AI/ML systems in a production environment with demonstrated emphasis on embedded or resource-constrained environments
Demonstrated experience deploying ML models on embedded flight or mission-critical hardware such as edge GPUs, FPGAs, DSPs, or radiation-tolerant processors under real-world performance constraints
Deep proficiency in Python and C/C++ for both model development and embedded software integration
Expertise in modern ML frameworks including PyTorch, TensorFlow, or ONNX Runtime
Hands-on experience with model optimization for edge deployment: quantization, pruning, TensorRT, TFLite, or equivalent toolchains
Proven ability to operate within real-time, resource-constrained software environments such as RTOS, bare-metal, or safety-critical OS
Demonstrated ability to lead through technical influence, driving architectural decisions, aligning cross-functional stakeholders, and delivering results without relying on organizational authority
Strong technical communication skills with the ability to brief executive leadership, government customers, and engineering peers with equal clarity and confidence
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.

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, 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.

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Hard Skills & Tools

AI/ML model developmentembedded systemsPythonC/C++PyTorchTensorFlowONNX Runtimemodel optimizationquantizationpruning

Soft Skills

technical influencecross-functional alignmenttechnical communicationleadershipproblem-solvingcollaborationresults-drivenadaptabilitystrategic thinkingstakeholder engagement