Vice President, Avionics - New Glenn

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!

New Glenn will fly dozens of missions per year. As VP of Avionics, you'll make it possible-leading the scale-up of integrated avionics systems from prototype to production, establishing the technical baseline, organizational capability, and supplier ecosystem needed to support the most aggressive launch cadence in commercial space.

This is your opportunity to build the avionics organization that will define the future of reusable orbital spaceflight.

The Challenge

New Glenn is Blue Origin's orbital heavy-lift rocket, designed to fundamentally change the economics of space access. Your mission: architect and execute the avionics strategy that delivers integrated hardware, software, and ground control systems at scale-from autonomous flight computers to RF communications-all while maintaining the uncompromising quality and reliability standards that spaceflight demands.

You'll own the entire New Glenn avionics vertical, serving as an executive leader with technical authority and business accountability. You'll lead interdisciplinary teams across hardware, software, and systems engineering to establish the processes, culture, and strategic roadmap needed for unprecedented production rates in the launch vehicle industry.

What You'll Do

Define Technical Vision & Strategy

• Own and control the technical baseline for all New Glenn avionics subsystems: electrical power systems, guidance/navigation/control, RF communications, command & data handling, telemetry, and vehicle networks
• Architect the long-term avionics roadmap that balances performance, cost, schedule, and risk across the full vehicle lifecycle
• Establish integrated design principles across hardware, software, and test systems that deliver mission reliability while meeting aerospace quality and regulatory standards
• Provide high-caliber technical direction that ensures engineering outputs meet mission objectives while enabling production scalability

Lead Full Lifecycle Execution

• Oversee the complete lifecycle of avionics products from requirement definition through design, development, integration, verification, validation, qualification, production, and flight operations
• Manage P&L accountability for New Glenn avionics, including budget development, resource allocation, and cost control
• Lead major technical and programmatic reviews with internal and external stakeholders, including executive leadership, customers, and regulatory bodies
• Ensure compliance with aerospace standards while driving schedule acceleration and cost reduction

Drive Operational Excellence & Scale

• Establish avionics production architecture that transitions from engineering builds to high-volume manufacturing
• Deploy continuous improvement methodologies, data-driven quality systems, and automation tools to maximize throughput and first-pass yield
• Manage external procurements and internal hardware dependencies across multi-site operations
• Implement risk management frameworks and proactive mitigation strategies at the program level

Lead at Executive Scale

• Build, mentor, and inspire large avionics organizations across hardware engineering, embedded software, electrical design, and manufacturing
• Provide leadership development, performance management, and succession planning for senior managers and functional leaders
• Foster a culture of innovation, quality, and psychological safety that attracts and retains top technical talent
• Champion organizational change initiatives and export avionics best practices across Blue Origin programs

Drive Cross-Functional Integration

• Serve as the avionics voice on New Glenn executive leadership team-influencing technical and business decisions at the program level
• Partner with Manufacturing, Propulsion, Structures, Mission Operations, Supply Chain, and Ground Systems to solve complex integration challenges
• Define system-level requirements in collaboration with Product, Systems Engineering, and Mission Assurance teams
• Support launch operations and lead real-time anomaly resolution with executive-level technical authority

Deliver Results

• Execute strategic and tactical initiatives that drive measurable gains in performance, reliability, cost, and velocity
• Balance competing priorities across cost, schedule, technical performance, and risk with mature business judgment
• This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your dedicated commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable spaceflight

What You Bring

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related technical field
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in avionics, complex electrical systems, or analogous high-reliability electronics (aerospace, defense, automotive, industrial, medical devices), including:
  • Executive or senior leadership roles with P&L and budget management responsibility
  • Managing large technical organizations and leading cross-functional teams at scale
  • Full product lifecycle from requirements through production and operations
• Deep understanding of integrated electronics systems architecture: power systems, control systems, communications, embedded computing, and system integration
• Demonstrated ability to make high-stakes technical and business decisions, balancing cost, schedule, performance, and risk
• Proven track record leading complex, multi-year programs with significant business impact and scale-up challenges
• Strong executive presence with excellent communication skills-ability to influence and align stakeholders at all organizational levels
• Experience managing supplier ecosystems, procurement strategy, and external dependencies
• Strategic thinker with bias for action and operational execution excellence

Preferred Qualifications:

• 20+ years in aerospace, defense, or high-reliability electronics industries
• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field
• Executive leadership experience at VP or equivalent level in technology-driven companies
• Experience scaling electronics systems from development to high-volume production
• Experience with safety-critical systems development and aerospace quality standards
• Knowledge of program management methodologies and risk management frameworks
• Experience with manufacturing operations for complex electronics assemblies
• Background in embedded systems, flight software, or real-time control systems
• Existing relationships with suppliers and industry partners in aerospace or adjacent markets
• Experience with launch vehicle, spacecraft, aircraft, or autonomous vehicle systems

Compensation Range (Base Salary) for:

WA applicants is $318,750.00 - $431,250.00

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 (CDL drivers only), 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.

• 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

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