Motor Controls Engineer - Lunar Avionics

Motor Controls Engineer

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!

This role is part of the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin's Blue Moon landers and related products. To further Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.

As part of a collaborative, hardworking team, the Motor Controls Engineer will be a member of the Power and Controls team within Lunar Avionics, working within a tightly knit group that is developing motor controllers for numerous applications across Blue Origin's Lunar vehicles. They will be responsible for developing control algorithms and implementing FPGA-based motor control code, as well as working with various sub-system teams (cryogenic fluids, docking mechanisms, space suit interfaces, and more) to integrate these controllers with the various actuators in these systems.

The role will also be responsible for planning their project work and verifying that their designs meet requirements across performance limits and environmental conditions and meet Blue Origin's reliability and safety standards for human space flight. This role also provides the opportunity to work with, and learn from, experts in the motor control field.

Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To:

• Work with your team to deliver a family of motor controllers to multiple lunar vehicles
• Develop and own, with your team, the motor control firmware used across motor controllers
• Test, verify, and integrate motor control designs with Lunar vehicle subsystems
• Support design risk analyses, failure modes effects and criticality analyses (FMECA), and root-cause analysis of test discrepancies
• Participate in program level technology development, mission assurance and safety initiatives, and avionics development process improvements
• Effectively communicate development status, risks, and challenges to management

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems, or related discipline
• 3+ years of avionics hardware and/or control system design
• Experience with Matlab/Simulink and autocode generation in HDL or C/C++
• Experience with electromechanical system modeling and calibration against physical systems
• Experience with implementing high-performance control algorithms in resource constrained FPGAs and MCUs
• Prior history of successfully implementing control algorithms in real-world systems
• Desire to work hands-on, both independently and as part of a team, throughout the development and production phases of the electronic assembly product lifecycle
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and supply to a culture of collaboration

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, or related disciplines
• 5+ years of experience in design, development, test, and operation of vehicle Avionics systems
• Experience with electric motor controls, including field-oriented control, trapezoidal commutation, sensorless control, motion control, field weakening, overmodulation, and/or third harmonic injection
• Additional experience with various motor controls, power conversion topologies, and control systems FPGA firmware development experience using Verilog or VHDL
• General FPGA firmware development experience using Verilog or VHDL
• Knowledge of radiation effects on electronics and how to apply this to designs targeting space applications
• Experience with launch vehicle Avionics systems hardware development, integration, and test

Compensation Range for: CO applicants is $95,348.00-$133,486.50; WA applicants is $104,015.00-$145,620.30 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 (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 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. 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.