Principal Autonomous Navigation Engineer

BLUE ORIGIN

. Define the end-to-end architecture for onboard autonomous orbit determination for cislunar and interplanetary missions .

Posted 10/14/2026full-timeUnited StatesLead💰 $173,466 - $256,470 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Expertise in spacecraft navigation and orbit determination, with a strong foundation in astrodynamics and algorithm development. Proficient in integrating navigation algorithms with GNC and flight software while providing technical leadership and mentorship to engineering teams.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Orbit Determination Algorithms DevelopmentOptical Navigation TechniquesAstrodynamics and Orbital MechanicsPython, Julia, or C++ ProgrammingAgile Development Methodologies

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Orbit DeterminationAstrodynamicsAlgorithm DevelopmentOptical NavigationStatistical Orbit DeterminationMonte Carlo MethodsCamera CalibrationTerrain-Relative NavigationDoppler Navigation TechniquesFlight Software Integration

Soft Skills

Technical LeadershipMentorshipCommunication Skills

Tools & Technologies

STK/ODTKFreeFlyerGMATJiraGitJenkinsDockerIDE

Certifications & Qualifications

Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information Clearance

Industry Keywords

Cislunar MissionsInterplanetary MissionsDeep-Space NavigationGNCMission Design Lifecycle

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

DockerJenkinsPythonC++

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Define the end-to-end architecture for onboard autonomous orbit determination for cislunar and interplanetary missions
Lead development and integration of optical and radiometric measurement processing into onboard navigation algorithms
Define the long-range strategy and roadmap for fully autonomous deep-space navigation across the Blue Ring fleet
Support live ground-based orbit determination during operational missions
Apply statistical orbit determination expertise using radiometric and optical measurements for early lunar and Mars missions
Integrate navigation algorithms with GNC, avionics, flight software, systems engineering, and flight operations
Provide technical leadership and mentorship to navigation engineers
Establish best practices for algorithm development, testing, and verification
Present results and support critical design reviews using Agile development methodologies

Requirements

What you’ll need

M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fields
10+ years of experience in spacecraft navigation, orbit determination, or related astrodynamics disciplines
Demonstrated experience developing and implementing orbit determination algorithms
Experience with optical navigation techniques, including camera calibration, optical centroiding, terrain-relative navigation, star-based navigation, and landmark tracking
Strong fundamentals in astrodynamics, orbital mechanics, and estimation theory
Applied experience with Monte, STK/ODTK, FreeFlyer, or GMAT
Experience with Python, Julia, or C++
Demonstrated ability to define navigation requirements
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident/current Green Card holder, or lawfully admitted refugee or granted asylum
Preferred: Ph.D. in a relevant engineering field
Preferred: Experience with cislunar or interplanetary mission navigation
Preferred: Experience with radiometric navigation techniques such as Doppler, ranging, or VLBI
Preferred: Experience developing or deploying autonomous/onboard navigation systems in flight
Preferred: Experience with deep-space optical navigation, GNC algorithm development, flight software integration, maneuver planning and execution, rendezvous and proximity operations, and navigation-team leadership
Preferred: Knowledge of the mission design lifecycle
Preferred: DevOps, configuration control, CI/CD, Agile methodologies, code review, Jira, Git, Jenkins, Docker, and an IDE
Preferred: Willingness or ability to acquire an Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance with SSBI and polygraph

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, and company results