Director, Spacecraft Development

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!  

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.

The position is within the In-Space Systems business unit reporting to the Mission Engineering & Architecture organization. In this role, you will be accountable for driving future In-Space Systems products and services by developing spacecraft design concepts and multi-spacecraft mission architectures to meet our business goals.

The selected candidate requires strong spacecraft design and engineering experience, as well as excellent collaboration skills to work across multiple teams and business areas within In-Space Systems and across Blue Origin. This position requires 15+ years’ experience with advanced spacecraft design with a demonstrated ability to design to cost and design for manufacturing at rate. You will contribute to innovative solutions, while demonstrating personal leadership, technical judgement and competence, and a passion for the highest technical standards partnering with the business unit and engineering leadership to achieve program goals with acceptable risk.

Responsibilities:

In this role, you will direct a team to develop concepts for new spacecraft designs for future Blue Origin products and services. You will:

• Lead the development of spacecraft through the full product life cycle, establishing system‑level KPPs, performance budgets, and architectural baselines.
• Drive early‑phase trades (platform, payload, communications, autonomy, ground segment, licensing) and convert results into reference designs and executable plans.
• Define product line roadmaps and modular architectures enabling multi‑payload variants and production at rate; champion design‑to‑cost and make/buy strategies.
• Integrate payloads (e.g., RF/communications, EO/IR, SSA, PNT) with spacecraft bus subsystems (ADCS, EPS, C&DH, propulsion, TT&C, structures/thermal).
• Represent the spacecraft bus architecture and designs to executive leadership, customers, and partners; assess markets and shape new business opportunities.
• Build, mentor, and lead a high‑performing cross‑functional team to design, develop and deliver satellites to orbit.

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, experience, and dedication to quality to support our customers’ critical missions. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of a B.S. in an engineering-related field.
• A minimum of 15 years of advanced spacecraft design, architecture, and development experience. Equivalent impact considered.
• Experience with commercial and Government multi-spacecraft mission architectures in earth centered-orbital regimes from LEO to GEO.
• Demonstrated understanding of commercial and US Government space systems and space system architectures.
• Previous experience with spacecraft product lines and multi-spacecraft architectures.
• Highly organized teammate with excellent technical written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven track record to operate with cohesive and effective teams and drive rapid decision making within those teams.
• Experience with development in mission and safety-critical environments.
• Demonstrated design‑to‑cost and design‑for‑manufacturing expertise, including production at rate and supplier engagement.
• Ability to travel and/or temporary duty in support of growing tempos of production and operations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience architecting multi‑satellite or distributed missions, high‑rate manufacturing, and fleet‑level operations.
• Background in autonomy/onboard decision‑making, optical/RF crosslinks, ground segment architecture, and regulatory/licensing (FCC/NOAA/NTIA/ITU).
• Cost modeling and lifecycle affordability trades.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret clearance; current TS/SCI desired.

 

Compensation Range for:

CA applicants is $211,905.00-$296,665.95;CO applicants is $200,653.00-$280,913.85;WA applicants is $211,905.00-$296,665.95

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