Principal Ground Systems Architecture and Site Selection - Glenn

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.

This role supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a single-configuration, heavy‑lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to low‑Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar, and beyond. Its first stage is fully reusable, and the vehicle was designed from the beginning to be human‑capable.

As part of a small, passionate, and accomplished team of experts, you will work to develop and integrate New Glenn launch system ground systems as part of the New Glenn Launch System Architecture team. You will play a pivotal role in shaping how the launch vehicle, ground systems, and mission operations come together as a single, integrated system. Rather than focusing on the detailed design of any one subsystem, you will work at the intersection of disciplines—propulsion, avionics, structures, and ground systems—translating high‑level mission needs into a coherent technical vision that guides teams across the program.

You will lead trade studies that shape foundational decisions such as launch pad site selection, ground systems architecture, and how vehicle and pad infrastructure interfaces are best configured to support operational cadence and reliability. You will ensure that interfaces between systems remain compatible and well‑defined as those decisions ripple outward. When new requirements emerge or technologies evolve, you will evaluate how these changes affect the bigger picture, safeguard the architecture’s long‑term scalability and reliability, and resolve inevitable conflicts that arise when many teams build toward the same goal.

This role is built for someone who thinks in systems, communicates across boundaries, and finds genuine satisfaction in making sure all the pieces fit together—not just today, but as the program grows and evolves. The ideal candidate is a self‑starter who works with various elements of the New Glenn program to understand their needs and architect solutions that meet these needs with new and existing infrastructure.

• Understand customer requirements and preferred solutions in order to represent the customer for architectural trades.
• Oversee concept development and feasibility studies for solutions that integrate emergent upgrades/programs into existing or new infrastructure.
• Identify and lead trade studies used to define overall architecture and flight/ground interfaces.
• Work hand in hand with emerging programs to develop CONOPS for New Glenn launch processing and launch and mission operations.
• Provide systems engineering and integration expertise to New Glenn elements seeking launch capability by defining and developing mission, organizational, physical, functional, signal, hardware/software, and operational interfaces.
• Provide assistance with the requirements for engineering models, simulations, test beds, and special test equipment for all organizations involved with system testing.
• Ensure the systems are designed with human considerations for all processes.

• Minimum of a B.S. degree in engineering or another technical field.
• Familiarity with export control (EAR/ITAR) regulations.
• 10+ years of experience developing complex, large‑scale operational systems in aerospace/defense or other highly regulated industries.
• Experience across development lifecycle including transition to operations.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively both in writing and verbally with staff at all levels of the organization and external stakeholders, including regulatory agencies, customers, and suppliers.
• Excellent technical writing and presentation skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Launch Site or Ground Support Equipment design experience/familiarity.
• Experience with integrated systems (fluids, structures, mechanisms, communications, electrical, etc.).
• Able to develop 3D concept models and 2D plans.
• Ab…