Blue Origin

New Glenn - Principal Software Engineer

Blue Origin$230K — $323K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
  • 10+ years of software deployment experience in production environments.
  • 7+ years developing distributed backend systems with cloud services (AWS).
  • Proficient in both typed (Java, C++, C#) and untyped languages (Python, JavaScript).
  • Strong problem-solving skills in ambiguous technical areas.
  • Exceptional communication skills, especially with senior leaders.
  • Experience mentoring engineers in team environments.

Responsibilities

  • Lead technical strategy for design, test, and operations of New Glenn.
  • Present complex strategies to senior leadership, including C-suite.
  • Collaborate on architectural design with other engineering leaders.
  • Implement AI applications to improve user experiences and development efficiency.
  • Utilize a variety of technologies including DynamoDB, RDS, and React.
  • Promote software best practices across the organization.
  • Reduce technical debt and champion operational excellence.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance options.
  • Paid parental leave and short/long-term disability coverage.
  • 401(k) plan with up to 5% company match.
  • Education Support Program.
  • Stock Options for regular employees working at least 20 hours/week.
  • Up to four weeks of paid time off plus 14 company-paid holidays.
Full Job Description
Application close date:
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

This role supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a single-configuration, heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to low-Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar, and beyond. Its first stage is fully reusable, and the vehicle was designed from the beginning to be human-capable.

We are seeking an exceptionally talented and experienced Principal Software Engineer to lead the technical strategy for New Glenn's Data Engineering, Software, and Automation (DESA) team. This dynamic org is responsible for ensuring New Glenn has the software applications required to design, produce, and operate New Glenn launch vehicles at rate. This includes direct ownership of two systems engineering platforms and indirect advisement on enterprise technology strategy. These systems are used daily by thousands of users and are essential to our ambitious business goals. Join us as a leader in Blue's orbital launch vehicle organization.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
  • Lead technical strategy and vision across multiple domains, including design, test, systems engineering, and flight operations.
  • Present complex technical strategies to senior leadership, including Senior Vice Presidents and potentially the CEO.
  • Collaborate with other engineers and organization leaders (enterprise technology, central engineering) to architect, design, and execute our ambitious technical roadmap.
  • Identify and implement novel applications of AI to enhance user experiences and software development efficiency.
  • Utilize a diverse range of technologies such as DynamoDB, RDS, SQS, SNS, React, Java, DataBricks, GraphQL, REST APIs, etc.
  • Promote software best practices across the entire organization including CI/CD, modular architectures, comprehensive testing, scalable systems, etc.
  • Champion operational excellence by reducing technical debt, maintaining low ticket counts, ensuring high availability, minimizing mean time to recovery, and implementing extensive monitoring and alarms.
  • Lead technical design reviews across the organization.
  • Extensively mentor software developers up to the Senior SDE level.

This role does not have any direct reports.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related discipline.
  • 10+ years of experience writing and deploying software in production environments.
  • 7+ years of experience developing distributed backend systems and utilizing cloud services such as AWS.
  • Extensive experience with both typed languages (e.g., Java, C++, C#) and untyped languages (e.g., Python, JavaScript).
  • Proven ability to solve complex, ambiguous problems in unfamiliar domains.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
  • Experience presenting to senior leadership, at or above the Vice President level.
  • Deep understanding of computer science fundamentals such as algorithms and data structures.
  • Strong independence and the ability to resolve issues with minimal involvement by your manager.
  • Experience mentoring software engineers in team settings.
  • A strong passion for aerospace and Blue Origin's mission.
  • 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 writing and deploying software in production environments.
  • Experience in manufacturing, supply chain and/or aerospace.


Base Pay Range for:
WA applicants is $230,773.00 - $323,081.85

Other site ranges may differ

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.


About Blue Origin

Blue Origin is an aerospace company that develops rockets and spacecraft for commercial and government customers. The company's products include the New Shepard suborbital vehicle and the New Glenn orbital rocket. Blue Origin was founded in 2000 by Jeff Bezos and is headquartered in Kent, Washington.
Learn more about Blue Origin
Size
3,000 employees
Industry
Founded
2000

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