Deep Space Mission Design Engineer III

BLUE ORIGIN

. Own lifecycle mission design through mission-level requirements, gated reviews, mission rehearsals, and flight operations .

Posted 10/15/2026full-timeUnited StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $119,814 - $182,988 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

AnsibleAWSDockerPythonTerraformTypeScriptC++

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own lifecycle mission design through mission-level requirements, gated reviews, mission rehearsals, and flight operations
Author trajectory design reports, maneuver plans, and operations procedures
Design and optimize high-thrust and low-thrust trajectories for lunar, cislunar, and interplanetary missions
Design deterministic, trajectory correction, statistical, orbit insertion, and station-keeping maneuvers
Perform live maneuver operations and make maneuver-readiness recommendations under real-time constraints
Partner with navigators to incorporate orbit determination solutions into targeting and assess burn performance
Determine launch periods and deliver daily launch targets through the launch vehicle interface control document
Own trajectory-driven timelines anchoring mission CONOPS
Maintain deterministic, statistical, and margin delta-v allocations across mission phases
Lead trajectory contributions to performance analysis cycles using ATX’s AWS-powered Monte Carlo capability
Develop and test trajectory and maneuver algorithms in Python, Julia, and Monte
Infuse algorithms into ATX’s Monte-based flight dynamics system
Automate trajectory design, maneuver planning, and analysis workflows, including through generative AI
Collaborate with ATX, propulsion, systems engineering, flight operations, and launch provider teams
Represent mission design in reviews and mentor junior mission designers
Scope, estimate, and plan work in deliverable increments using Jira and git

Requirements

What you’ll need

M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field with 5+ years of relevant experience, or a Ph.D. with 3+ years of relevant experience
Strong working knowledge of astrodynamics and orbital mechanics
Experience designing spacecraft trajectories and high-thrust maneuvers, including impulsive maneuver design and targeting
Experience applying low-thrust trajectory optimization using optimal control theory, direct and indirect methods, multiple shooting, or nonlinear programming
Proficiency in at least one of Python, Julia, or C++
Experience developing and testing analysis or operational software
Experience with trajectory design tools such as Monte, Copernicus, EMTG, FreeFlyer, GMAT, or STK/Astrogator
Experience supporting spacecraft mission operations, mission rehearsals, or comparable time-critical operational environments
Ability to work independently, scope ambiguous technical problems, and deliver results with minimal oversight
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presenting technical results in design reviews and authoring technical documentation
Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion
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: Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
Preferred: Experience designing cislunar or interplanetary trajectories, including multi-body dynamics, libration point orbits, lunar orbits, or planetary capture
Preferred: Experience designing interplanetary low-thrust transfers or many-revolution spirals on a flight project
Preferred: Applied experience in the Monte toolkit
Preferred: Experience with trajectory dispersion analysis, Monte Carlo methods, and statistical maneuver analysis
Preferred: End-to-end mission lifecycle experience, including live maneuver operations during mission-critical events
Preferred: Experience owning a mission design product for a mission phase
Preferred: Experience mentoring engineers and communicating across a distributed team
Preferred: Experience with DevOps practices and tooling, including configuration control, CI/CD, code review, Jira, git, Docker, Terraform, and Ansible
Preferred: Experience using generative AI tools
Preferred: Current TS/SCI clearance with polygraph, or willingness to obtain and maintain one
Blue’s Standard Background Check required for all positions

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Basic and supplemental life insurance
Paid parental leave
Short- and long-term disability
401(k) with company match of up to 5%
Education Support Program
Stock options for all regular employees working at least 20 hours/week
Up to four weeks of paid time off per year based on weekly scheduled hours
Up to 14 company-paid holidays
Potential benefits and bonuses based on role type, job level, individual contributions, company results, or other factors