Space Mobility – Ground & Space Operations Payload Communications Principal (R37960)

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 diverse team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!  

This role is a part of Test & Flight Operations team, providing centralized support to Business Units with the focus on design, build and maintenance of the ground systems, test and launch facilities across multiple locations.

As a Ground & Space Operations Payload Communications Lead, you will work with a small, hardworking, and accomplished team of Ground System, Software, Mission Systems and Flight Operations Engineers, leading and performing flight and operations development tasks supporting both space-to-ground and interspace communication links throughout their full system lifecycle. This includes networking between hosted payloads and connected terminals, reach-back to earth, multi-RF capability and extensions to optical comms. You will share in the team’s impact on all aspects of the mission operations concept, mission analysis and planning, flight planning, ground data systems, and tools used to operate advanced spaceflight vehicles. You will enjoy a fast-paced dynamic environment, contributing innovative solutions, while demonstrating personal leadership, technical competence, and attention to detail. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your dedicated commitment and detailed attention towards safe and reliable spaceflight. 

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and dedication to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required! 

Responsibilities 

• Lead payload data and communications subsystem architecture definition and implementation to interface with the baseline ground and mission planning systems 
• Ensure checkout of critical payload communication components in a mission operations environment 
• Identify, derive, develop, and maintain mission systems requirements including traceability and verification and validation approaches 
• Support the operations team by creating operations products (procedures, documentation etc.) for the commanding and monitoring for both nominal and contingency situations of the payload subsystem 
• Manage a complex variety of needs, constraints, and tasks from mission stakeholders, including engineers representing flight vehicle systems, ground software engineers, flight operations, customers, and program management 
• Collaborate with the training team to plan training simulations and other training activities 
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including engineers representing flight vehicle systems, ground software, flight control operators and customers 
• Participate in operations for the Space Mobility missions 

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, physics or related technical field  
• Expertise in space-to-ground protocols and RF communications 
• Experience developing and fielding production software  
• Strong understanding of the principles and methods of engineering complex systems  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills  
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast paced, dynamic work environment  
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion  
• 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 in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, physics, or related technical field  
• Experience with Infrastructure-as-Code and Cloud Architectures (for ex. AWS)  
• Experience with C2 software tools (for ex. InControl) 
• Experience with Front End Processor software tools (for ex. Amergint or Kratos) 
• Experience with CCSDS and/or common space-ground protocols (for ex. Space Packet Protocol)  
• Experience with integration of modems, antennas, and Front-End Processors 
• Experience with AES-256 crypto key management as well as architecting of encryption / decryption solutions.  
• Experience in cloud infrastructure deployment and software orchestration 
• Experience in one or more of the following:  
• Space mission flight operations  
• Mission analysis, flight planning and timeline development   
• Opera