Astrodynamics Operations Lead Engineer Blue Ring

Shape the Future of Space Mobilityand Astrodynamics Operations
Blue Origin and particularly the In-Space Business Unit is pushing the boundaries of space mobility with missions spanning geostationary cislunar and heliocentric regimes. Our spacecraft must execute complex maneuvers using different propulsion systemsfrom high-thrust chemical to efficient electric propulsionwhile navigating via GPS radiometric tracking and other advanced methods.

As an Astrodynamics OperationsEngineerin the Astrodynamics and TrajectoryeXecutionteam (ATX) youlead flight-specificastrodynamicsoperations ofaBlue Ringmission which will consist ofdesigningboth high-thrust and low-thrust vehicle maneuvers andprocessing measurements forground-based orbit determination andensuringtheiraccurate implementationwithin the greater ground system. You will work closely with our mission planningand spaceflight operationsteamsto convert astrodynamics-related vehicle activities into ground-based commands.You willinterface withvertically-integratedastrodynamicsalgorithms.Whileassistingwith our first-ever flight you will also roadmap and build out our processes toward fleet-level automation.You will ensure that the operations products and processes that the navigators need are in place for the mission.

The ATXteamworks cradle-to-grave for each mission and members of our team are multifaceted.Beyond leading pre-launch operations activities for your assigned missions you will contribute to core flight dynamics development in maneuver planning and orbit determination.As you grow in the role there is a path to take on broader cross-mission responsibilities as the ATX Flight Ops Interface Lead coordinating astrodynamics operations across the full Blue Ring fleet.

Your Impact:

• LeadLive Mission Operations:Design and execute critical maneuvers during flight operations with real-time decision making.
• Lead the Pre-Launch Navigation Ops Activities:Developnavigation rehearsal processes day-in-the-life ops simulationsconsolelogs andfacilitatethe integration of flight dynamics software.
• DriveAutomation:Automate astrodynamics operations processes to the limits that are possible as Blue Ring grows into fleet-wide operations.
• Collaborate Across Disciplines:Work closely withmission planners flight operations stakeholders payload customers systems engineers and vehicle engineers.
• Understand Implement and Integrate Core Algorithms:Perform flight dynamics algorithm development as needed aid in its implementation into the Flight Dynamics software system and understand itsexecution in the operational ground system.
• Deliver Excellence:Present results and support critical design reviews using Agile development methodologies.
• Enable Mission Success:Performmissionanalysis ensuring robust mission performance across multiple operational scenarios.
• Be an Excellent Communicator:Blue Ring works with a distributed team of flight operations engineers and thus requiresgood communications.

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Aerospace Engineering or related fields.

• 3 years of proven experience focusedonsatellitemission design.

• Experience performingground-basedspacecraftorbit determination ormaneuvering inliveoperations.

• Strong fundamentalsinastrodynamics high-thrusttrajectoryoptimization and low-thrust trajectory optimization.

• Applied experience in navigationtools such asMonte STK/ODTKFreeFlyerCopernicusor GMAT.

• Experience in at least one of the following languages:Python Julia or C.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• M.S.or Ph.D.in Mechanical Engineering Aerospace Engineering Electrical Engineering or related fields.

• Experience leading a navigation operations teamduring pre-launch rehearsal campaigns and during live operations.

• Experiencearchitectingand developingnavigation operations processesforsatellites.

• Experience using the Montesoftware package.

• Experience with electric propulsion satellite missions.

• Experience with radiometric orbit determination.

• Experience with GPS-based orbit determination.

• Experience in developingand testingflight dynamics software.

• Experience with maneuver planning software systemsforspace satellites.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the mission design lifecycle from conceptualization through operational flight.

• Experience working on and effectively communicating with a distributed team.

• Experience with DevOps processes including configuration control continuous development and deployment workflows Agile methodologies software code review.

• Previousexperience with software development tooling such as Jira git Jenkins Docker and at least one IDE.

• Experience using generative AI tools to expediteand automateyour workflow.

• Willingnessor ability toacquireActive Top Secret (TS) / Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security clearance with Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) with polygraph preferred.