Principal Autonomous Orbit Determination Engineer

BLUE ORIGIN

Principal Engineer developing autonomous onboard navigation capabilities for Blue Origin's deep space missions. Leading systems for lunar and Mars missions while mentoring navigation engineers.

Posted 6/27/2026full-timeReston • Colorado, Virginia • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $173,466 - $242,851 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Python

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Shape the Autonomous Navigation Architecture: Define the end-to-end architecture for onboard autonomous orbit determination, integrating optical and radiometric measurement sources into a coherent, flight-ready navigation system for cislunar and interplanetary missions
Lead Deep Space Autonomous Navigation Development: Own the development and integration of optical and radiometric measurement processing into onboard algorithms for cislunar and interplanetary missions
Drive the technical roadmap from concept through flight implementation, defining the path toward fully autonomous deep space navigation
Roadmap the Path to Full Autonomy: Define the long-range strategy for onboard navigation capability maturation — particularly for deep space regimes with limited ground contact — and drive its implementation across the Blue Ring fleet
Support Ground Navigation Operations: Contribute to live ground-based orbit determination alongside the ATX team when operational missions require hands-on navigation support
Execute Ground-Based Navigation Processing: Apply your subject matter expertise in statistical orbit determination using radiometric and optical measurements to deliver navigation solutions for early lunar and Mars missions as Blue Origin's autonomous capabilities mature
Collaborate Across Disciplines: Interface with GNC, avionics, flight software, systems engineering, and flight operations teams to ensure onboard navigation algorithms are properly integrated and validated end-to-end
Mentor and Lead: Provide technical leadership and mentorship to navigation engineers; establish best practices for algorithm development, testing, and verification
Deliver Excellence: Present results and support critical design reviews using Agile development methodologies

Requirements

What you’ll need

M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fields
10+ years of proven experience in spacecraft navigation, orbit determination, or related astrodynamics disciplines
Demonstrated experience developing and implementing orbit determination algorithms
Experience with optical navigation techniques (e.g., terrain-relative navigation, star-based navigation, landmark tracking)
Experience with radiometric navigation techniques (Doppler, ranging, VLBI, or similar)
Strong fundamentals in astrodynamics, orbital mechanics, and estimation theory
Applied experience in navigation tools such as Monte, STK/ODTK, FreeFlyer, or GMAT
Experience in at least one of the following: Python, Julia, or C++
Demonstrated ability to define navigation requirements
Excellent verbal and written 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.

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.

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Orbit DeterminationOptical Navigation TechniquesRadiometric Navigation TechniquesAstrodynamicsOrbital MechanicsEstimation TheoryPythonJuliaC++Algorithm Development

Soft Skills

Excellent Communication SkillsTrust BuildingRelationship ManagementMentorshipCollaboration