Senior Flight Software Engineer - C&DH & Fault Management - Project Sunrise - Orbital Data Centers

As a Senior Flight Software Engineer, you will be a key architect of the satellite’s core logic. You will be responsible for designing and implementing the foundational software that all other systems depend on. This role is focused on building the robust and reliable Command & Data Handling (C&DH) framework and the intelligent Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR) logic that ensures our satellites operate autonomously. Your work will be the bedrock that enables all other critical functions, including Telemetry, Tracking, and Command (TT&C), Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC), and high-speed Optical Intersatellite Links (OISL).

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Architect and develop a platform-independent, reusable software framework that will serve as the foundation for all flight software on the Sunrise constellation.

• Design, develop, and implement the core Command & Data Handling (C&DH) system, enabling the command and control of a highly complex spacecraft.

• Create and implement the Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR) logic, building an autonomous system that can respond to anomalies without ground intervention.

• Develop critical software interfaces between the flight computer and all major subsystems, including power, thermal, and GNC.

• Establish and champion software development standards and best practices for the entire flight software team.

• Develop comprehensive test plans, simulation environments, and validation strategies to ensure the reliability and robustness of the core software.

• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to a culture of technical excellence and innovation., 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

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.

• 5+ years of experience in real-time embedded software development for mission-critical systems.

• Strong proficiency in C++ and/or Rust, with a deep understanding of embedded systems and real-time operating systems (RTOS).

• Demonstrated experience designing and developing core software components like C&DH, FDIR, or operating system primitives.

• Experience with the full software development lifecycle in a regulated environment (e.g., aerospace, medical, automotive).

• 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:

• Master’s degree or PhD in a relevant field.

• Experience with large-scale satellite constellations or distributed, fault-tolerant systems.

• Familiarity with spacecraft bus hardware, communication protocols (e.g., CCSDS, SpaceWire), and subsystem interfaces.

• Familiarity with software assurance standards such as NASA-STD-8739.8, NPR 7150.2, ECSS-Q-ST-80C, or equivalent (e.g., DO-178C), and with embedded coding standards such as the JPL Institutional Coding Standard, MISRA C/C++, or CERT C/C++.

• Experience in developing software for systems with high-power and thermal management requirements.

• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, “clean-sheet” design environment.

• Travel may be required up to 10% of the time.

• Relocation assistance available.

Base Pay Range for: VA applicants is $197,529.00 - $276,539.55 CO applicants is $181,626.00 - $254,275.35 WA applicants is $197,529.00 - $276,539.55, * 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.

This role is part of Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE), supporting Blue Origin’s mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. The team fosters innovation and drives engineering workflows of the future, shared solutions and standards, simplicity and lower costs, and manufacturable design.

Join Blue Origin as we build infrastructure in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re developing Project Sunrise, a constellation of orbital data centers designed to transform how compute infrastructure is deployed and leveraged at an unprecedented scale.