Guidance and Control Design Engineer II - Lunar Permanence

Application close date:

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We're working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!

As part of a hardworking team of engineers, you will join our Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) team to push the envelope in guidance and control analysis and algorithm development for the Blue Transporter.

Expect to collaborate closely with other subsystems and spacecraft systems engineers to support the development of subsystem boundaries, interfaces, and technical performance measures. In this capacity, you will be responsible for exemplifying best practices, balanced technical judgment, and superior work ethic.

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact the safe human exploration of the solar system. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain both established and bespoke guidance and control algorithms to perform spacecraft attitude control and rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD) maneuvers
• Perform trade studies for control architectures, maneuver targeting sequences, and nominal and contingency maneuvers for RPOD
• Perform linear stability analysis using classical and modern approaches
• Develop and maintain flight software
• Integrate and test software in SIL and HIL environments
• Implement guidance and control algorithms and subsystem component models in an integrated 6-DOF simulation environment using C/C++ and Python
• Support of the implementation vehicle dynamics and orbital dynamics models using NASA JEOD
• Develop toolset for automated requirement, configuration, and performance analyses
• Support internal and external reviews with data products and reports

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. degree in aerospace engineering or related control systems field
• 2+ years of experience
• Experience in GN&C algorithm development specifically for flight and attitude control using classical and modern control design and analysis techniques; exposure to optimal control and estimation techniques (e.g. Kalman Filtering) is a plus
• Understanding of attitude kinematics and relative orbital dynamics including Hill's and Clohessy-Wiltshire equations
• Experience in Matlab/Simulink and Model Based Development
• Exposure to lean software development practices and techniques; including experience with tool automation and software development using Python and C/C++
• Experience in software and data configuration management techniques and tools
• Highly organized team player with excellent technical written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of safety.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Applied industry experience and/or M.S. or Ph.D. focused on development of spacecraft guidance & control
• Understanding of linear stability analysis and modeling of flexible body dynamics, slosh dynamics, and spacecraft dynamics
• Proficiency in different control law schemes such as PID, Phase-Plane, LQR, Loop Shaping, etc.
• Understand the relationship between attitude control, vehicle configuration, spacecraft dynamics, actuators, sensors, and automation
• Exposure to flight control systems with reaction control systems (RCS) and/or thrust vector control (TVC)
• Experience with spacecraft control system design considerations vital for Rendezvous and Proximity Operations and Docking (RPOD).
• Deep knowledge of astrodynamics, orbital mechanics, attitude kinematics and dynamics
• Experience coding in Rust
• Experience with spacecraft trajectory optimization tools and techniques
• Experience with validation and verification approaches such as unit testing, system simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing or integrated subsystem testing
• Experience with collaboration tools such as Gitlab, Confluence, and Jira

Compensation Range for:

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

Don't meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S.as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blue's Standard Background Check

• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation

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• Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits

• Benefits include: 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%, and an 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: Bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results.

• Eligibility for benefits varies by role type, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on "Know Your Rights," please see here.

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