Manager – Avionics Hardware Development Optical Comms Team

Application close date:
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed. 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!

Blue National Security (BNS) focuses on the design, development, and delivery of launch and spacecraft systems for national security missions. Through Blue Ring, our all-in-one, high-powered hybrid solar-electric and chemical-propelled spacecraft, we provide unmatched mission maneuverability, versatility, and capacity at dramatically lower-profile costs. As a Manager of Avionics Hardware Development on our Optical Comms Team, you will guide the architecture, design, test, and deliver the hardware system for our Optical Terminal that is essential not just for our BNS Team, but for Blue Origin in general.

You’ll lead a team of engineers, and will lead from the trenches, with your own expertise and experience, navigating the challenges, shaping the tools, processes, and standards that define how this team works. This is a role with real impact; your decisions directly influence whether we achieve our mission objectives. If you don’t meet every qualification listed, we encourage you to apply.

We know exceptional engineers come from many different backgrounds, and we value the perspective and experience you bring.

• Lead and manage a team of avionics hardware engineers responsible for the design, development, and production of circuit card assemblies and electronic hardware our Optical Comms Terminal
• Own the full hardware development lifecycle (from concept and requirements decomposition through design, verification, qualification, and production transition)
• Drive hardware architecture decisions, trade studies, and design reviews
• Allocate system-level requirements to hardware and ensure traceability throughout the design lifecycle
• Partner with Systems Engineering, Software, Mechanical, Thermal, and RF teams to ensure integrated avionics solutions
• Manage team schedules, cost targets, and resource planning to meet program milestones
• Establish and enforce design standards, processes, and best practices for avionics hardware development
• Lead root cause and corrective action investigations for hardware anomalies and failures
• Collaborate with Operations, Manufacturing and Quality Engineering to ensure designs are producible, testable, and meet workmanship standards
• Recruit, develop, and retain top avionics hardware engineering talent; provide mentorship and career growth opportunities
• Brief program leadership and stakeholders on hardware status, risks, and mitigation plans
• Ensure compliance with applicable standards (NASA, MIL-SPEC, EEE parts requirements, etc.) and export control regulations (ITAR/EAR)

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• 8+ years of experience in avionics or aerospace hardware engineering
• 3+ years of team lead experience in a hardware engineering organization
• Demonstrated experience leading circuit card assembly design from requirements through production
• Strong understanding of digital, analog, power electronics, and mixed-signal circuit design
• Hands‑on experience with hardware design and simulation tools (e.g., Altium, Hyper Lynx, etc)
• Experience with environmental qualification testing (vibration, thermal, vacuum, EMI/EMC) for space or aerospace hardware
• Familiarity with reliability engineering principles, derating analysis, and parts management programs
• Proven…