Sr Controls Engineer

Sr Controls Engineer

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 sits as a Sr Controls Engineer supporting the Controls team. Our team is responsible for the complete digital and physical control architecture for next-generation hardware—encompassing supervisory software, real-time PLC automation, instrumentation, and electrical distribution.

As a senior technical contributor, you will design, develop, and validate control systems and algorithms that govern critical test infrastructure. You will own translation of requirements into robust, production-ready control architectures. This is a hands-on role requiring deep technical expertise in real-time systems, controls algorithms, and design validation.

Special Mentions

• Relocation provided
• Regular 5/2 or rotation schedule is available (8/6, 16/12)

Van Horn Specific information

Being at the heart of Blue Origin operations, the West Texas Site in Van Horn, TX offers eligible employee's additional attractive financial incentives to supplement their competitive base earnings, including a living allowance and relocation assistance. Eligibility for these additional benefits is based on the employee's ability to permanently relocate to Van Horn, TX, or travel to Van Horn from another Blue location a minimum of 50% of the time.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design & Architect Control Systems : Develop supervisory software, real-time PLC logic, and embedded control algorithms for test facilities, test stands, and next-generation hardware. Define control strategies, sensor requirements, and feedback loops.
• Test Facility Operations Support : Provide technical support during facility commissioning, test execution, and troubleshooting. Optimize control algorithms based on test data and operational feedback. Support transition of prototype controls into production-ready configurations.
• Real-Time PLC & Automation Programming : Design, code, and integrate PLC logic across Siemens and Rockwell platforms. Develop deterministic, fail-safe control sequences for complex multi-system operations.
• Electrical Architecture & Instrumentation : Specify, design, and validate instrumentation strategies (sensors, transmitters, signal conditioning). Design electrical distribution, panel layouts, and integration of sensors/actuators into real-time control loops. Ensure compliance with electrical standards.
• Systems Integration & Validation : Collaborate with mechanical, thermal, fluids, and test operations teams to integrate controls into complete system architectures. Participate in design reviews, testing, and troubleshooting to ensure controls meet functional, safety, and performance requirements.
• Controls Software Development & Lifecycle : Conduct code reviews, implement unit testing, and maintain configuration management rigor across development, test, and operational phases.
• Safety & Standards Compliance : Ensure designs comply with applicable controls standards. Support safety case development and certification activities.
• Documentation & Knowledge Transfer : Create comprehensive design documentation, functional specifications, software design documents, and operational procedures. Mentor junior engineers and support team knowledge transfer.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Passion for Blue Origin's mission: Millions of people living and working in space!
• B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline.
• 10+ years of hands-on experience designing and implementing real-time control systems for complex hardware (propulsion systems, test facilities, industrial automation, or similar mission-critical environments).
• Deep proficiency in PLC programming (ladder logic, structured text) across at least two major platforms (Siemens TIA Portal, Rockwell Studio 5000). Demonstrated ability to code production-ready, safety-critical logic from requirements.
• Hands-on commissioning experience for complex test facilities; ability to troubleshoot and optimize controls during facility activation and operational ramp-up.
• Strong understanding of real-time systems architecture, including deterministic execution, interrupt handling, communication protocols (CAN, Ethernet/IP, Modbus, OPC), and fail-safe design patterns.
• Solid grasp of instrumentation and electrical systems : Sensor selection, signal conditioning, electrical distribution, grounding, EMI/RFI mitigation, and power system design.
• Experience integrating controls into multi-disciplinary systems (mechanical, thermal, electrical) with demonstrated ability to resolve cross-functional technical trade-offs.
• Familiarity with systems engineering concepts : Functional architecture, requirements traceability, interface control, and configuration management.
• Excellent technical communication skills : Ability to document designs, present to cross-functional teams, and interface with test operations and program leadership.
• 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 QUALIFICATIONS

• M.S. degree in Controls Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline; PMP or INCOSE certification.
• Experience with advanced controls concepts : Model Predictive Control (MPC), adaptive controls, state estimation, or Kalman filtering applied to real hardware systems.
• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testbeds .
• Expertise in controls modeling and simulation : Hands-on experience with Matlab/Simulink, Labview, or equivalent; ability to develop and execute MIL/SIL/HIL test strategies for control algorithm validation.
• Experience with ECAD tools (AutoCAD Electrical, ePlan) for electrical architecture design and documentation.
• Proficiency with industrial SCADA/supervisory software (WinCC, Ignition, FactoryTalk).
• Experience with Git version control, CI/CD pipelines, and modern software development practices in embedded systems environments.
• Prior mentoring or technical leadership experience guiding junior engineers in controls design and implementation.

Base Pay 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, 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