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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Senior Ground Data Systems Engineer - **Company:** Blue Origin - **Location:** Reston, VA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $156,802.0 - $219,522.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Application Layers, Systems Engineering, Confluence, JIRA, Biometrics, Encodings, Collaborative Software, Modems, Data Systems, File Transfer, OSI Models, Network Interface, Software Engineering, Software Requirements Analysis, Verification and Validation (Software), Windchill, Git, Information Technology, Transport Protocols, Software Version Control - **Published:** October 26, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.careerbuilder.com/job-details/senior-ground-data-systems-engineer-reston-va--e2cb3f5c-f3f4-40a5-ba6a-eb59f66a5885 ## About the Role Systems Engineering, Problem Solving Skills, Solar Power, Cost Control, System Lifecycle, Leadership, Systems Engineering, Radio Frequency, Detail Oriented, System Operations, * B.S. in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, physics, or related technical field. * 10+ years of Technical Experience developing Space-to-Ground Communications systems and their ground systems including RF Communications, Ground Data Systems Architecture, Software Design and Development and Spacecraft telemetry, commanding and sequencing. * 10+ years of Technical Experience in the Communications domain, spanning the complete OSI stack. Including but not limited to communications theory, frequency and bandwidth selection, modulation, encoding, transport protocols and standards (including CCSDS), application protocol and packet definition (file transfer, commanding, telemetry, command assurance), and communications security. * Strong experience developing communications link budgets to predict link closure, link quality, and effective data rates. Ability to identify and manage risks against system performance. * Proficient with communication standards and protocols including modulation formats, channel coding, and advanced waveforms (e.g. DVB-S2/X, Ka/S/X bands, spread spectrum, etc.) * Strong experience with DSN ranging systems, i.e., CCSDS regenerative and transparent ranging, PN ranging codes, ground stations/modems, ranging/Doppler biases. * Extensive experience with instrumentation and Hardware & Software based Ground Modems (i.e. Amergint, Kratos) -using VNAs, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes * Experience in a complex system lifecycle - requirement definition, design solution definition, implementation, integration, verification, validation, qualification, commissioning and/or operations. * 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. Desired: * M.S. in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, physics, or related technical field * Experience in space communication systems, particularly those geared towards Lunar, CisLunar or deep-space missions. * Experience working on large complex programs with multiple partners. * Experience defining and performing multifaceted trade studies. * First principles knowledge of all major spacecraft subsystems including Avionics, TT&C and/or RF Communications * Experience with laser ranging and telemetry ranging systems. * Experience with requirements definition and management, preferably using DOORS Next Generation * Operational fault management including familiarity with system safety analyses techniques including Functional Hazard Assessments (FHA), Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analyses (FMECA), and Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) * Experience with collaboration tools such as Confluence and JIRA * Familiarity with version control, preferably Git * Experience with configuration and product data management tools, preferably Windchill * Experience working with and proposing to U.S. Government research agencies (e.g. NASA, AFRL, DARPA) * ## Description This position will report to the In-Space Systems, Ground Data Systems Lead. As a Sr. Ground Data Systems Engineer, you will work closely with an accomplished team of Ground System, Software, Mission Systems and Flight Operations Engineers. You will lead and perform RF / Communications development, testing and deployment tasks across space and ground boundaries, through the full system lifecycle of In-Space Systems vehicles. You will be responsible for building and maintaining strategic technical capabilities crucial to the space-to-ground operations of spacecraft with diverse concepts of operations across a variety of orbits & ground station providers. The ideal candidate is someone who brings creative ideas, along with the persistence and passion to build a program. You will enjoy a fast-paced dynamic environment, contributing innovative solutions, while demonstrating personal leadership, technical competence, and attention to detail. We are looking for someone to apply their vision, passion, technical expertise, leadership skills, and dedication to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Join us in enabling Blue Origin's vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit earth - passion for our mission is required! Responsibilities: * Identify, derive, develop, and maintain Ground Data Systems requirements, including traceability and verification and validation approaches. * Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including engineers representing flight vehicle systems, ground software, Integration & Test, and external vendors & ground station providers. * Define the ground data system and communications architectures across a diverse set of mission requirements and customer requirements. * Define and maintain ground data system interface requirements and control documents, for example Space Vehicle to Ground Network interfaces or Mission Control to Ground Network interfaces. * Plan, perform and document requirement verification and validation for Ground Data Systems * Plan and perform frequent Ground Data Systems product update cycles, integration and test activities, and validation exercises leading to production software releases, operations training events and flight. * Support initiatives to improve Mission Systems and Flight Operations engineering and other functional processes and tools. * Perform analysis to ensure operability across the Space-Ground System, and support efforts to improve operability where justified., 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, 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