Avionics Systems Engineer

Avionics Systems 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!

The role is part of the In-Space Systems business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit.

Join Blue Origin's In-Space Systems team as an Avionics Systems Engineer and become a key architect of Blue Ring—our next-generation satellite bus platform that will enable critical missions beyond Earth's atmosphere. This isn't just another engineering role; it's your opportunity to design the command and data handling systems that will power humanity's expansion into space.

As an Avionics Systems Engineer, you'll pioneer novel data handling architectures for national security space missions, working at the intersection of hardware innovation, software development, and communications security. You'll be hands-on with cutting-edge Command and Data Handling (C&DH) systems and encryption architectures, collaborating directly with core hardware developers, software engineers, and communication security specialists to solve challenges that have never been tackled before.

Your designs will directly enable classified missions critical to national security. You're not just building components—you're creating the foundational infrastructure that future space missions will depend on. Every architecture decision you make, every system you design, will ripple through missions that expand human presence in space and protect national interests from orbit.

Candidates for this role must have an active Top Secret clearance and reside in Seattle (or be willing to locate upon acceptance of offer).

Responsibilities:

• Participate in C&DH system architecture, trade studies, and concept development with integrated cryptographic and cybersecurity features—from requirements through operations support
• Translate system data handling and security requirements into actionable subsystem and component-level specifications, ensuring compliance across the design lifecycle
• Own verification and validation planning, partnering with integration and test teams to validate data handling and encryption hardware against requirements
• Drive technical excellence through participation in design reviews and cross-functional collaboration with hardware development teams

Qualifications:

• Top Secret Clearance (active or has been active within the past 2 years)
• B.S. in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field with 5+ years industry experience developing avionics systems
• Expertise in delivering mission-critical C&DH systems including data handling architectures and cryptographic systems
• Familiarity with common spacecraft interfaces (Ethernet, MIL-STD-1553, SpaceWire) and digital/analog electrical interfaces (I2C, SPI, Serial)
• Strong foundation in layer 2/3 networking concepts (Ethernet, VLANs, QoS, IP, TCP/UDP, routing)
• Experience with requirements definition and decomposition, interface control, and verification
• Exceptional communicator and collaborator who thrives in fast-paced environments, analyzes complex systems effectively, and builds trusted relationships across teams

Desired (but not required):

• TS/SCI Clearance (active or has been active within the past 2 years)
• M.S. in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field with full spacecraft design lifecycle industry experience
• NSA Type 1 encryption device expertise including certification processes, TEMPEST/EMSEC requirements, and CNSSI 1253/NIST 800-53 controls for space systems
• Experience interfacing with NSA, COMSEC custodians, or CCI handling, with proven ability to deliver space-qualified integrated hardware/software components
• Space environment design expertise including radiation effects, SEU mitigation, parts selection, processor/storage architectures, and CCSDS communication protocols
• Proficiency with electrical system design and analysis tools (Altium/OrCAD/KiCad, LTspice, MS Visio)
• Experience with scripting languages such as Python

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $130,706.00 - $182,987.70

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.