Principal Technical Lead Engineer, Rocket Engine Avionics & Control Systems

Application 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!

This role is part of the Blue Origin Engines business unit, focusing on the design, development, manufacturing, and testing of engines and propulsion systems. It resides within the Avionics & Control Products (ACP) organization of the Engine Business Unit. As a Principal Technical Lead Engineer for Rocket Engine Avionics & Control Systems, you will serve as the primary technical authority for all avionics systems within a specific rocket engine program.

You will define and drive the technical architecture, own the avionics system technical baseline, lead design reviews with full technical approval authority, and ensure all deliverables meet safety, performance, and reliability standards.

The successful candidate is a seasoned technical leader and recognized expert in avionics and control systems. Your effectiveness stems from four integrated competency areas:
Technical Expertise, Technical Leadership, People & Team Dynamics, Strategic Vision & Organizational Impact. You hold yourself and your teams to the highest standards of engineering rigor.

There is no standard day for this role. You will lead a multi-disciplinary engineering team across all phases, from customer use case elicitation to full-scale hot-fire test and flight operations. Daily activities may include architecting a new engine control system, leading a failure review board, reviewing control algorithms, driving interface negotiations, and mentoring engineers.

Position requires up to 10% travel to rocket engine test sites.

• Own the avionics and control system technical baseline for the assigned rocket engine program; define and drive the technical vision, architecture, and long‑term engineering roadmap.
• Lead decomposition and allocation of engine‑specific avionics requirements; establish and maintain system‑level requirements, interface control documents, and design standards.
• Lead all design reviews for the assigned engine avionics systems with full technical approval authority; participate as a non‑advocate reviewer for cross‑program architectural decisions.
• Identify, characterize, and resolve complex system‑level technical risks across multiple concurrent development programs.
• Provide technical oversight for integration of avionics hardware, software, control algorithms, sensors, actuators, and harnessing into test facilities and onto rocket engines.
• Develop and maintain model‑based design frameworks, simulation environments, and hardware‑in‑the-loop (HIL) test strategies to accelerate verification and validation.
• Collaborate with program leadership, chief engineers, and functional managers to align technical execution with cost, schedule, and mission objectives.
• Champion engineering best practices, design criteria, and lessons learned across the ACP organization.
• Lead identification, assessment, and mitigation of technical risks across the assigned engine avionics system; drive technology maturation and emerging technology opportunities.
• Mentor and develop engineers at all levels; actively contribute to a culture of technical excellence, psychological safety, and continuous learning.
• Support and provide technical oversight during critical test campaigns and flight operations, both on‑site and remotely.
• Partner with Enterprise functions (Operations, Supply Chain, Mission Assurance) to ensure producibility, reliability, and cost‑effectiveness of avionics and control system designs.

• Passion for our mission:
  Millions of people living and working in space.
• Minimum of a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or closely related field.
• 10+ years of experience in avionics systems, control systems, or closely related engineering, with demonstrated…