Ground Autonomy Instruments & Controls Software Verification Engineer II - New Glenn

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 supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a single-configuration, heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to low-Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar, and beyond. Its first stage is fully reusable, and the vehicle was designed from the beginning to be human-capable.

As part of a small, passionate, and accomplished team of experts, you will design, develop, verify, and commission software solutions for the ground control systems supporting New Glenn, Blue Origin's heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle. The role will have an increased focus on the verification and validation of the PLC products and control applications where you will take ownership in developing the verification strategy, the verification artifacts and commissioning the systems to the launch pad. In addition, you will be a contributor to the development and maintenance of our common PLC software architecture and Ground Control applications, supporting ground systems including GSE, EGSE, and launch facilities.

In this role, you will help implement the overall strategy for autonomous ground control systems — a key enabler for increased launch cadence and efficient operations. You will work on the full software lifecycle, from requirements development through commissioning and in-field troubleshooting with an increased focus on the verification and validation of the products. You will actively leverage Large Language Models (LLMs) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the product development process and operational frameworks as a core success factor in meeting business goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to full lifecycle development of controls algorithm software for PLC-based ground systems and control application software with a heavy focus on the verification and validation of the PLC control systems

• Lead PLC programming development and support commissioning of PLC and motion-control-based systems with software releases

• Assist with SCADA development (Iconics Gen 64 / Hyper Historian®)

• Develop, test, verify, and validate PLC and motion-control-based systems

• Develop and maintain software requirements for Ground Control systems

• Design and implement autonomy solutions including sequencers, state machines, and fault management deployed on real-time operating systems

• Troubleshoot fielded PLC logic and drive issue resolution to improve product quality

• Implement AI/LLM solutions for controls optimization, system monitoring, and workflow automation to reduce manual workload and improve reliability

• Support New Glenn mission and launch operations

• Guide development and continuous improvement of processes, procedures, and configuration management practices

• Effectively communicate technical decisions and status across internal design teams, operations, Quality, and business units

• We seek someone who will apply their technical expertise and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is essential!

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field

• 3+ years of experience in industrial automation, controls design, integration, and verification

• Expertise in controls algorithm development with PLC software, specifically proficient in Ladder Logic and/or Structured Text

• Proficiency in Python/C/C++ programming

• Experience with Siemens and/or Rockwell control automation systems

• Experience in autonomy, sequencers, state machines, and/or fault management deployed on real-time operating systems

• Ability to design PID based control loops from first principals

• Experience implementing or integrating AI/LLM solutions in industrial control or software development contexts

• Knowledge of industry-standard network communication protocols

• Familiarity with software lifecycle development processes, configuration management, version control, and change management

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