Oasis-1 Mission Design Trajectory Design Engineer III
Los Angeles, CA - USA
Job Summary
Application close date:
Applications 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. 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!
This role is part of Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE) supporting Blue Origins 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.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! This role is part of Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE) supporting Blue Origins 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.
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. The Space Resources Program encompasses multiple projects; in this role you will contribute to the current Oasis-1 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.
The pace at Blue Origin is brisk with rapid cycles of design analysis and integration aimed at delivering scalable solutions. We need someone who is adaptable proactive eager to learn and uncompromising on safety and quality. Creativity a spirit of innovation and the ability to manage changing requirements are key to thriving on our inclusive open-minded and forward-thinking team. Passion for our mission is required!
Trajectory design and mission planning
Design reference trajectories for cislunar operations including trans-lunar injection lunar orbit insertion station-keeping and disposal; develop trajectory options that satisfy propellant timing lighting and communication constraints.
Deliver baseline trajectory designs ΔV budgets maneuver plans launch window analyses and mission timeline documentation.
Orbit analysis and lunar environment modeling
Characterize and model lunar orbital dynamics including third-body perturbations spherical harmonics solar radiation pressure and station-keeping requirements for NRHO DRO frozen orbits and low lunar orbit (LLO).
Deliver orbit stability analyses long-term propagation studies eclipse/lighting analyses and ground station visibility reports.
Simulation and Monte Carlo analysis
Build and maintain trajectory simulation environments in STK and MATLAB; perform Monte Carlo dispersion analyses to bound navigation and maneuver execution errors; generate statistical trajectory envelopes for mission planning.
Deliver trajectory simulation tools dispersion analyses covariance studies and sensitivity analyses with documented assumptions and validation.
Maneuver planning and optimization
Design deterministic and statistical maneuver strategies (TCMs LOI station-keeping burns); optimize maneuver placement and sizing for fuel efficiency and operational robustness; develop contingency trajectory options.
Perform conjunction and collision avoidance analysis
Perform end-of-life controlled disposal analysis
Deliver maneuver sequence plans fuel consumption analyses trajectory correction strategies and contingency/abort trajectory documentation.
Navigation support and orbit determination
Collaborate with GNC to define navigation accuracy requirements; provide a priori trajectory knowledge for onboard propagation; support orbit determination campaigns with predicted ephemeris and covariance inputs.
Deliver OD support products ephemeris files (SPK/OEM) covariance handoffs and navigation accuracy assessments.
Conduct post-flight orbit reconstruction; validate spacecraft trajectory accuracy and assess maneuver execution performance.
Tool development and automation
Develop MATLAB scripts STK scenarios and automation tools for trajectory generation analysis and visualization; maintain configuration-controlled toolsets; validate tools against independent references (GMAT JPL tools).
Deliver validated trajectory analysis tools user documentation regression test suites and tool validation reports.
Requirements verification and reviews
Define trajectory-related requirements (ΔV allocation orbit accuracy timeline margins); develop verification approaches for trajectory performance; maintain traceability to mission and system requirements.
Deliver trajectory requirements verification matrices analysis results and trajectory content for gated reviews (SRR/PDR/CDR/MRR).
Cross-functional collaboration
Coordinate with GNC Flight Dynamics Mission Operations Propulsion Power and Communications teams to ensure trajectory designs meet subsystem constraints; support launch vehicle interface definition and separation state analyses.
Deliver interface agreements trajectory inputs to subsystem teams and contributions to integrated mission planning.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelors degree in aerospace engineering astrodynamics physics applied mathematics or related field.
3 years of experience in trajectory design mission design or flight dynamics for spacecraft missions.
Demonstrated proficiency in orbital mechanics including two-body and three-body dynamics orbit perturbations and maneuver planning.
Hands-on experience with STK (including Astrogator) for trajectory design analysis and visualization.
Strong MATLAB proficiency for trajectory simulation Monte Carlo analysis optimization and tool development.
Experience with cislunar or multi-body trajectory design; familiarity with NRHO DRO halo orbits or other libration point orbits.
Knowledge of orbit determination concepts and navigation/trajectory interfaces.
Experience defining trajectory requirements and supporting formal review processes.
Strong collaboration skills; ability to translate trajectory constraints into actionable inputs for cross-functional teams.
Preferred Qualifications:
Masters or Ph.D. in astrodynamics orbital mechanics or related field; 5 years of relevant experience.
Flight experience supporting lunar or interplanetary missions (trajectory design maneuver planning or flight dynamics operations).
Proficiency with GMAT MONTE or JPL mission design tools; experience validating trajectories across independent tools.
Depth in trajectory optimization methods (direct/indirect collocation differential correction continuation methods).
Experience with low-thrust trajectory design and optimization.
Familiarity with CCSDS standards for ephemeris products (OEM AEM) and navigation data interfaces.
Experience generating trajectory products for launch vehicle providers and coordinating separation state definitions.
Operations experience supporting real-time maneuver planning trajectory reconstruction or anomaly resolution.
Compensation Range for:
CA applicants is $121023.00 - $169432.20Other 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.
Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
Dependent on role type and job level employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the companys intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the companys results or other factors at the companys sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.
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.
Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation
Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origins Affirmative Action Plans or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process please contact us at. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.
Required Experience:
IC
About Company
Blue Origin was founded by Jeff Bezos with the vision of enabling a future where millions of people are living and working in space for the benefit of Earth.