Software Lead — Oasis-1 Mission (Space Resources Program)

Application close date:

At Blue Origin we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. Were 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!

We believe that to preserve our planet humanity must expand beyond our current limits venturing into space to explore and harness new energy and material pursuit of this vision we invite you to join our Space Resources Program working alongside Blue Alchemist Blue Origins initiative to enable lunar surface power production and building blocks for humanity from local materials.

The Space Resources Program encompasses multiple projects; in this role you will contribute across the portfolio including the current Blue Alchemist effort and future initiatives. Were dedicated to developing and demonstrating Prospecting and In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) technologies for the Moon Mars and beyond. If our mission resonates with you and you are eager to contribute you could be the perfect addition to our collaborative open-minded and forward-thinking team.

We value self-motivated hands-on leaders who can find practical solutions to abstract problems. Our teams work in fast-paced cycles of design analysis and operations to deliver scalable solutions. Were looking for someone adaptable willing to take action eager to learn and committed to a highly dedicated and open-minded team of team players working together all while embracing a culture of safety and quality. Your creativity innovative spirit and ability to navigate changing requirements are crucial.

Conditions of Employment: Offer and start are contingent upon contract award/funding and required internal approvals. If the contract is not awarded the role may be paused or canceled.

Location and Travel: Fully in-person role based at our Los Angeles (North Hollywood) SRCE facility.

Key Responsibilities and Core Deliverables:

• Software leadership and strategy: Define and own the flight and ground software architecture and development plan aligned to Oasis-1 mission ConOps guidance navigation and control needs and stakeholder objectives. Deliver software architecture roadmap standards and configuration-controlled documentation.
• Requirements interfaces and quality: Define software requirements ICDs acceptance criteria and quality metrics; ensure traceability to system requirements and Oasis-1 mission objectives. Deliver configuration-controlled requirements ICDs verification plans and review records.
• Flight software: Lead design and implementation of real-time flight software fault management and ultra-low altitude navigation algorithms in coordination with GNC and systems. Deliver qualified flight software releases with unit/integration tests coverage reports and as-built release documentation.
• Ground software and mission control: Own ground segment software for commanding telemetry and data handling; validate ground station compatibility and secure communications. Deliver ground software releases end-to-end link test reports and operator procedures.
• Hardware in the Loop (HIL) benches simulation and test: Stand up and operate HIL benches and closed-loop simulations; integrate instruments and avionics for end-to-end testing. Deliver HIL readiness reviews automated regression suites test reports anomaly investigations and closures.
• Cybersecurity and accreditation: Execute the cybersecurity work package with the Cybersecurity Lead; implement controls key management and secure-ops procedures; provide accreditation inputs. Deliver a cybersecurity plan with the Cybersecurity Lead control implementation evidence and incident response playbooks.

• Verification validation and reviews: Own the software V&V plan; lead software content at gated reviews; maintain audit-ready artifacts. Deliver verification matrices test results discrepancies/closures and gate-readiness packages.

• Operations readiness and support: Coordinate with Mission Operations to prepare commissioning and nominal/contingency procedures; support rehearsals and on-console operations as needed. Deliver operations readiness demos on-call playbooks and final closeout documentation.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Interface with Instruments Systems Lead Scientist Mission Assurance/Quality and external ground station providers to align interfaces schedules and risk mitigations. Deliver team operating rhythms interface agreements and change-control submissions for software impacts.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree or higher in computer science electrical/computer engineering aerospace engineering or related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• 10 years of experience delivering flight and/or ground software for spacecraft or similarly safety/mission-critical systems.
• Demonstrated ownership of fault management or navigation software; experience integrating with GNC and avionics.
• Hands-on experience building and operating HIL benches and closed-loop simulations; end-to-end RF/ground station compatibility testing.
• Proficiency in modern software development for embedded and ground systems (e.g. C/C for RTOS/Linux; Python for tools/automation) and version control (e.g. Git).
• Experience defining software requirements/ICDs verification plans and acceptance criteria; operating within formal reviews and change-control processes.
• Familiarity with secure communications and cybersecurity control implementation for mission systems.
• Strong collaboration skills in fast-paced environments; ability to coordinate cross-functional teams (instruments systems mission ops quality).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree in a related field; 12 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with small satellite missions CCSDS or similar space communications protocols and ground station network integration.
• Expertise in spacecraft navigation methods (e.g. guidance laws EKF/UKF FDIR/FMECA-driven fault management).
• Depth in test automation and CI/CD for embedded and ground software; experience with static/dynamic analysis and code quality tooling.
• Experience leading software through gated reviews with audit-ready artifacts.
• Cybersecurity accreditation experience and familiarity with common control frameworks for space/ground systems.
• Experience integrating instrument drivers data handling pipelines time synchronization and performance telemetry.
• International collaboration experience and familiarity with data governance/export control considerations.

Compensation Range for:

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

Dont 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 youre excited about this role but your past experience doesnt 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 a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blues 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 10001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding) Road Test Hours of Service Drug and Alcohol Testing (CDL drivers only) vehicle inspection requirements CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.

• 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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