Avionics Hardware Engineer III

Employer 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!  

This role is part of Blue National Security (BNS), where our focus is the design, development, and delivery of launch and spacecraft systems for national security missions. Through Blue Ring, our all-in-one, high-powered hybrid solar-electric and chemical-propelled spacecraft, we provide unmatched mission maneuverability, versatility, and capacity at dramatically lower-profile costs.

At Blue Origin, we’re building the infrastructure for humanity to live and work in space. Blue Ring (our multi-mission in-space vehicle) demands some of the most rigorous avionics engineering in the industry, and we’re growing the team that designs it.

As an Avionics Hardware Engineer III, you will design circuit hardware for Blue Ring’s avionics systems, from requirements through production. You’ll work with considerable autonomy, own your technical scope, and make meaningful contributions to how we build and continuously improve our engineering practice.

If you don’t meet every qualification listed, we still encourage you to apply. We know great engineers come from many paths, and we value the diversity of experience and perspective you bring.

What You’ll Do

Circuit Design

Design analog, digital, power, and mixed-signal circuits for flight avionics applications including power conversion, actuator drive, communication interfaces, data acquisition, and processor-based systemsDecompose system-level requirements into subcircuit requirements across complex electronic modules, maintaining full traceabilityPerform derating, worst-case circuit (WCCA), tolerance, and thermal analyses for flight-grade hardwareApply EMI/EMC design techniques at the circuit and module levelGuide PCB layout reviews including stack-up definition, signal integrity, and power delivery network considerationsDesign for manufacturability (DFM) and testability (DFT) to support production scalability
Requirements & Documentation

Write and manage hardware requirements documents, interface control documents (ICDs), and design specificationsPrepare and lead technical design reviews (PDR, CDR) for your assigned projects, including tracking and closing all action itemsProduce clear, complete technical documentation that connects design decisions back to requirementsVerification & Test

Write hardware verification and validation plans with direct traceability to requirementsSupport environmental qualification and acceptance testing across your hardware scopeAnalyze test data, disposition anomalies, and perform root cause analysis on hardware failuresDevelop corrective actions and translate findings into design improvementsProgram & Team Contributions

Contribute to hardware schedules, budgets, and technical milestones; hold technical approval authority for your assigned deliverablesParticipate in tool development, process improvements, and release of engineering standardsGive technical feedback to teammates that strengthens design quality across the groupSupport technology maturation and lessons-learned documentation at the department level
Requirements (What you Bring)

B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field5+ years of experience designing electronic hardware through the full development lifecycle — from requirements through fabrication, test, and productionExperience with schematic capture in industry-standard EDA tools such as Cadence Allegro/OrCAD, Mentor Capital/PADS, or Altium DesignerExperience performing derating analysis, WCCA, and tolerance analysis for flight or high-reliability hardwareKnowledge of EMI/EMC design principles and circuit-level mitigation techniquesExperience supporting environmental qualification testing (vibration, thermal, shock) and interpreting test resultsBackground in analog and digital circuit design including power electronics, signal conditioning, and communication interfaces such as RS-422, SPI, I2C, or MIL-STD-1553Experience leading technical design reviews and producing the documentation that supports themExperience performing root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions on hardware non-conformancesU.S. citizenship or permanent resident status (required for access to export-controlled technical data)
Preferred (What Sets You Apart)

M.S. in Electrical Engineering or a related fieldExperience designing avionics hardware for spacecraft, launch vehicles, or in-space systemsKnowledge of radiation-tolerant component selection and design techniques for space environmentsFamiliarity with MIL-STD-975, MIL-PRF-38535, or equivalent hi-rel parts qualification standardsExperience with power electronics design including DC/DC converters, battery charge/discharge circuits, or pyrotechnic firing circuitsBackground in FPGA or processor-based avionics subsystems and hardware/software interface definitionProficiency in SPICE-based simulation tools such as LTspice, PSpice, or SIMetrixExperience with high-speed PCB design including signal integrity and PDN analysisFamiliarity with AS9100, NASA-STD-8739, or IPC-A-610 quality and workmanship standardsExperience supporting production transitions including first article inspection, DFM iterations, and production test developmentPrior experience as a technical lead or mentor on a hardware development programFamiliarity with MBSE and requirements management tools such as DOORS, & Jama
 Base Pay Range for:

CO applicants is $119,814.00 - $167,738.55

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 CheckRequired for Certain Job Profiles:  Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installationRequired 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, 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 [email protected]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.