Manager, Flight Software - Project Sunrise – Orbital Data Centers

Application close date:

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!  

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. 

As the Manager of Flight Software, you will lead a high-performing team responsible for the core software of our Sunrise satellites. You will be instrumental in developing the satellite’s brain and nervous system, with an initial focus on architecting the software for power management, active thermal control, large-scale deployment, and autonomous operations. This is a critical leadership role that will define the reliability and performance of the entire constellation. 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Lead and mentor a team of flight software engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence, innovation, and ownership. 

• Own the architecture, design, and implementation of the Command & Data Handling (C&DH) and Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR) software. 

• Architect and develop the software for a high-power distribution system, ensuring stability and efficiency for a multi-kilowatt AI compute payload. 

• Design and implement control software for the active thermal system, managing the heat dissipation for compute hardware at a scale never before flown. 

• Oversee the development of Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) software for the deployment and attitude control of an exceptionally large and complex spacecraft. 

• Collaborate with hardware and systems engineers to define software requirements, interfaces, and operational concepts for all spacecraft subsystems. 

• Develop and implement the software verification and validation strategy for the flight software, including unit, integration, and hardware-in-the-loop testing. 

• Support on-orbit operations, anomaly resolution, and troubleshooting of flight software. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

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

• 8+ years of experience in real-time embedded software development, with at least 3+ years in a technical leadership or management role. 

• Deep understanding of spacecraft flight software, with demonstrated experience in Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC), Command & Data Handling (C&DH), or Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR). 

• Strong programming skills in C/C++ and experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS). 

• Experience with the full software development lifecycle, from requirements to testing and deployment. 

• 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 control systems for high-power electrical distribution or active thermal systems. 

• Proven experience with the GNC of large, flexible space structures. 

• Knowledge of building and managing software for large-scale, fault-tolerant distributed systems. 

• Experience with spacecraft autonomy or multi-satellite constellations. 

• Familiarity with spacecraft communication protocols (e.g., CCSDS, SpaceWire). 

• 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 with simulation environments and hardware-in-the-loop testing. 

Special Mentions: 

• Travel may be required up to 25% of the time. 

• Relocation assistance available. 

Base Pay Range for:

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, 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.