Sr. Navigation Engineer

Senior Navigation Engineer

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 Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE), supporting Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. The team fosters innovation and drives engineering workflows of the future, shared solutions and standards, simplicity and lower costs, and manufacturable design.

As a Senior Navigation Engineer in our Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) and Avionics team, you will be at the forefront of developing and implementing cutting-edge navigation solutions for our advanced systems. You will take a leading role in designing, analyzing, and testing navigation algorithms and systems. Your expertise will be crucial in ensuring the accuracy, and reliability of our navigation performance.

This position requires a deep theoretical understanding and practical ability to develop sophisticated estimation algorithms, including Kalman filters, for real-world applications.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Design, develop, and implement advanced navigation and estimation algorithms, with a primary focus on Kalman filters for Inertial Navigation Systems (INS).
• Model and simulate inertial sensors (e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes) and GPS receivers to analyze and predict navigation system performance.
• Lead the integration of navigation components into the broader GNC and avionics architecture.
• Develop and execute test plans to verify and validate navigation system performance in both simulation and hardware-in-the-loop environments.
• Analyze sensor data to characterize and calibrate inertial measurement units (IMUs) and other navigation sensors.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex navigation-related issues found during testing and operations.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership in the field of navigation systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including hardware, software, and systems engineers, to deliver integrated solutions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 5-10 years of experience in navigation systems analysis, design, and testing.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing Kalman filters for Inertial Navigation Systems (INS).
• Strong theoretical and practical understanding of inertial sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes) and GPS technology.
• Proficiency in simulation and analysis tools such as MATLAB/Simulink.
• Solid programming skills in C++ or Python for algorithm development and data analysis.
• Proven ability to lead technical projects and mentor other engineers.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in a relevant field with a focus on estimation theory or navigation.
• Experience with tightly-coupled and loosely-coupled GPS/INS integration.
• Hands-on experience with testing and validating navigation systems on hardware.
• Knowledge of other navigation techniques, such as terrain-relative navigation, star trackers, or visual odometry.
• Familiarity with navigation system software and hardware development for safety-critical applications.

Base Pay Range for:

CA applicants is $ - $ CO applicants is $ - $ WA applicants is $ - $ 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
• Required for Certain Job Profiles:
  Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any…