Systems Engineer III - Directed Energy Systems

Location: Greater Seattle Area

Time Type: Full time

Job Description

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.

This role reports to the Special Programs team within the Blue National Security BU’s Mission Engineering & Architecture org. Within Special Programs, Blue Origin's Directed Energy Systems team is focused on the development and demonstration of a directed energy system. As part of a hardworking team of engineers, you will apply broad multi-disciplinary systems engineering knowledge to advance a ground-to-space directed energy capability from concept through demonstration. You will support requirements definition, architecture development, and verification planning for a system that integrates directed energy sources, orbital satellites, and precision execution sequences. The position operates on an accelerated development timeline and requires someone who thrives in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment.

The position requires strong collaboration within the systems engineering team and across all program interfaces including directed energy sources, space vehicle, simulation, ground operations, and customer stakeholders.

Special Mentions:

• Travel expected up to 20% — demonstration site support required
• Active Top Secret clearance desired (or) ability to Re-Activate; TS/SCI preferred
• Experience with system and ground support development desired; specifically with directed energy or space systems preferred

Responsibilities:

Architecture & Requirements

• Support the Lead Systems Engineer in defining and maintaining system architecture for a ground-relay directed energy demonstration system
• Decompose top-level capability requirements into subsystem-level design requirements spanning directed energy sources, satellite systems, ground stations, and precision pointing and control
• Develop and maintain interface definitions between directed energy sources, space, control systems, and sensor elements
• Develop and maintain CONOPs for demonstration scenarios

Verification & Demonstration

• Lead development of system-level verification and validation plans aligned to the demonstration milestone
• Create and oversee test plans, procedures, and results reports for integrated system performance verification
• Support hardware-in-the-loop and simulation-based verification activities using associated modeling environments
• Support integration activities on the floor and at demonstration sites

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Coordinate with directed energy source, optical, satellite, and precision control subsystem teams to ensure interface consistency and requirement compliance
• Collaborate with the simulation team to translate architecture trades into testable system requirements and verification events
• Develop demonstration execution plans and contingency procedures
• Identify and track technical, schedule, and cost risks with a bias toward early closure

Program Support

• Participate in gated program reviews and drive actions to closure with urgency appropriate to an accelerated demonstration schedule
• Support customer interactions with clear, technically credible briefings and documentation
• Assist with proposal efforts based on demonstrated system capability and architecture knowledge

Qualifications:

• B.S. in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, Optical, or Systems Engineering or equivalent technical field
• 5+ years of systems engineering experience in the defense or space industry
• Demonstrated experience across multiple system lifecycle phases — requirements, design, integration, and test
• Experience developing integrated systems with depth in one or more of the following: power systems, laser or optical systems, satellite systems, and precision pointing and control.
• Experience developing and integrating ground support equipment.
• Familiarity with model-based systems engineering tools and simulation-based verification approaches
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• M.S. in a relevant technical field
• Active TS/SCI security clearance
• Experience with directed energy systems, space-relay architectures, or ground-to-space optical systems
• Experience with atmospheric propagation, adaptive optics, or beam control
• Experience with hardware or software testbeds for system-level verification
• Experience defining and executing complex trade studies in high-uncertainty environments
• Demonstrated ability to deliver on accelerated development schedules with minimal rework

 

Compensation Range for:

WA applicants is $121,023.00 - $169,432.20

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.

• 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 [email protected]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.

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