Principal IMU Engineer

Company: Blue Origin
Location: Reston
Posted on: May 10, 2025

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 diverse team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!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.We are a diverse team of collaborators, doers, and problem- solvers who are relentlessly committed to a culture of safety. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable space flight. Join us in lowering the cost of access to space and enabling Blue Origin's vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth.We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!As part of a diverse and hardworking team of specialists, you will be supporting aspects of Inertial Navigationhardware, software, sensor fusion, environmental testing, and system design across all flight regimes for current and future spaceflight systems. This position will require your commitment and detailed attention towards safe, low cost, and repeatable spaceflight and will directly shape the future of space exploration.Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead business wide Inertial Navigation initiatives, providing IMU/INS expertise and fostering coordination across all Blue Origin GNC teams.
• Develop IMU characterization, calibration, qualification, and acceptance tests. Manage execution and analyze results.
• Lead the development and guide the implementation of efficient algorithms and models for IMU/INS and sensor fusion projects, including IMU sensor I/O.
• Consult on enterprise-wide IMU/INS hardware and software documentation and training.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers.
• Stay on the bleeding edge with technology related to IMUs and sensor fusion.Minimum Qualifications:
  • MS degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field and
  • 10+ years of experience in hardware and/or software development for IMU/INS applications or equivalent experience.
  • Experience or familiarity with the fundamental physics of gyroscope and accelerometer technologies including fiber-optic, ring lasers, quartz/MEMS, pendulous, and vibrating beam.
  • Experience with IMU design, calibration, characterization, and environment testing.
  • Deep knowledge of estimation theory and the application of this theory to embedded systems.
  • Software development skills in MATLAB or Python.
  • Good communication skills and ability to interface companywide as a technical leader.
  • Self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced new product development 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.Preferred Qualifications:
    • 15+ years of experience in hardware and/or software development for IMU/INS applications.
    • Full product lifecycle experience with IMU sensors.
    • Software development skills in C/C++.
    • Experience with GNSS and/or vision-based aiding sources in blended navigation applications.
    • Experience with space-based applications and the challenges associated with using sensors in these environments (e.g. vibration, temperature, radiation).
    • Experience in verification and validation of embedded software and systems.
    • Experience with quantum IMU and/or hemispherical resonator sensor technologies.Compensation Range for:CA applicants is $177,857.00-$248,999.10;CO applicants is $168,414.00-$235,778.55;WA applicants is $177,857.00-$248,999.10Other site ranges may differInclusivity StatementDon'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 a diverse, inclusive, and 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 RegulationsApplicants 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, 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.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.
        • Discretionary bonus: Bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results.
        • Eligibility for benefits varies by role type, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role.Equal Employment OpportunityBlue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified, diverse, 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, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. 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, gender, 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 "EEO Is the Law," please see here.Affirmative Action and Disability AccommodationApplicants 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 atEEOCompliance@blueorigin.com.California Applicant Privacy NoticeIf you are a California resident, please reference the CA Applicant Privacy Notice here.

Keywords: Blue Origin, Annandale , Principal IMU Engineer, Engineering , Reston, Virginia