Senior Mission Planning Engineer TeraWave
Reston, VA - 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!
Blue Origin is pioneering the future of space-based communications with TeraWave a revolutionary satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This multi-orbit constellation will consist of optically interconnected satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO) providing enterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide.As a Senior Mission Planning Engineer you will be responsible for architecting and leading the development of mission planning processes products and operational workflows across the TeraWave program. You are the critical bridge spanning the full mission planning chain from system-level requirements and mission design through concept of operations development down to the command sequences procedures and plays that operations teams execute. You will translate top-level mission objectives and constraints into structured planning frameworks ensure those frameworks drive the development of executable operational products and provide the mission planners who execute operations with the processes templates and tools they need to succeed. Your expertise in mission planning orbital mechanics spacecraft operations and software development will be essential in standing up a world-class mission planning capability for TeraWave.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Design and own the end-to-end mission planning process from mission design through operational execution including planning cycle workflows activity request intake deconfliction resource allocation and timeline generation.
- Establish constraint frameworks that govern how activities are scheduled sequenced and validated.
- Translate system-level requirements mission design outputs (trajectory plans spacecraft models ConOps) and mission objectives into actionable planning requirements.
- Define command sequence structure procedure formats and play architectures that align with the mission planning process and enable development of executable operational products.
- Ensure mission planners have clear validated activity templates planning tools and operational processes to execute planning cycles during mission operations.
- Partner with mission planning software architects and developers to define operational requirements and design validate and integrate mission-unique activity templates and command sequences into planning tools.
- Lead development of mission planning ops products including activity templates constraint definitions planning procedures and timeline products.
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of mission planning tools and automation capabilities.
- Support test activities and rehearsals as the mission planning technical lead ensuring planning products are verified and validated through simulation rehearsal and review processes.
- Mentor and guide junior mission planning engineers and operations team mission planners on planning processes and best practices.
- Support real-time mission operations as an on-console mission planner during launch and early orbit phase and other critical mission events as needed.
- Represent mission planning in cross-functional forums and design reviews.
Minimum Qualifications
- Minimum of a B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering Systems Engineering Computer Science or related technical field
- 8 years of experience in spacecraft mission operations mission planning flight dynamics or flight operations
- Demonstrated experience designing or significantly contributing to new mission planning processes tools or systems
- Experience developing command sequences operational procedures or activity timelines for spacecraft operations
- Strong understanding of spacecraft subsystems and how they constrain operational planning (power thermal data comms availability attitude)
- Software development experience in Python or equivalent programming language
- Experience working across organizational boundaries to integrate engineering outputs into operational products
Preferred Qualifications
- M.S. in Aerospace Engineering Systems Engineering Computer Science or related field
- Experience with multi-mission or constellation operations planning
- Experience leading or coordinating test exercises rehearsals or operational readiness activities
- Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approaches and how they feed operational planning
- Experience with ground system command and control architectures
- Knowledge of electric propulsion systems and low-thrust trajectory planning
- Experience applying AI/ML techniques to engineering workflows such as building or integrating intelligent automation optimization models or data-driven decision support tools
- Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced dynamic work environment with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
- Strong communication and coordination skills for interfacing with customers engineering teams and operations personnel
Base Pay Range for:
WA applicants is $156802.00 - $219522.45Other 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:
Senior 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.