Sr. Autonomous Vehicle AI Engineer - Computer Vision and Path Planning

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. We're 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 Origin's 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.

This position is for a passionate and driven engineer who wants to apply their skills in AI, machine learning, and robotics to solve some of the most challenging problems in spaceflight. You will be part of a dynamic team responsible for creating systems that allow our vehicles to perceive their environment, make intelligent decisions, and execute complex maneuvers with precision and safety.

Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the development of AI-driven computer vision algorithms to accurately perceive and understand a vehicle's environment using data from cameras, LiDAR, and other sensors.
• Develop, train, and test machine learning models for object detection, classification, semantic segmentation, and anomaly detection specific to autonomous driving scenarios.
• Implement and test path planning algorithms using modern decision-making techniques to ensure safe and efficient navigation.
• Train, validate, and deploy neural networks for real-time performance on flight-qualified hardware, optimizing for accuracy, speed, and reliability.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of GNC, software, and hardware engineers to integrate AI/ML solutions into the vehicle's avionics and flight software systems.
• Design, build, and use high-fidelity simulation environments to test and validate autonomous algorithms against a wide range of mission scenarios and off-nominal conditions.
• Analyze data from simulations and flight tests to assess and improve the performance of perception and decision-making systems.
• Support the continuous improvement of in-house machine learning pipelines and tools for data management, model training, and performance monitoring.
• Optimize AI models for edge and cloud deployment, addressing challenges such as latency, model compression, and distributed computing.

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, AI, Machine Learning, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 5 + years of experience in applying deep learning to computer vision or decision-making.
• Strong theoretical understanding of sensor fusion, environmental perception, and path planning algorithms.
• High proficiency in Python and/or C++, along with experience using deep learning libraries such as PyTorch or TensorFlow.
• A passion for space exploration and a desire to apply your skills to solve complex, real-world challenges.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, cross-functional team environment.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a creative and first-principles approach.

Desired:

• Experience designing, implementing, and training reinforcement learning (RL) agents to solve complex optimization or control problems, including problem formulation, state/action space design, and reward shaping.
• Experience with simulation environments (e.g., Gazebo, NVIDIA Isaac Sim) and their application to robotics or aerospace.
• Familiarity with classical Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) concepts.
• Experience with transformers and large machine learning models.
• Hands-on experience with deploying and debugging software on embedded systems or robotic hardware.

As an Autonomous Vehicle AI Engineer, you'll have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the future of transportation by crafting the vision systems and decision-making algorithms that define the safety and reliability of our autonomous vehicles. Your contributions will be vital in driving forward innovation in a field that promises to revolutionize global mobility. If you are passionate about AI and its potential in the autonomous vehicle industry, we encourage you to apply.

Compensation Range for:
WA applicants is $197,529.00 - $276,539.55

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

Don't 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 you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't 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 U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blue's 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 10,001 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 company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's 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 Origin's Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at View email address on click.appcast.io. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.