Blue Origin

Senior Simulation Engineer

Blue Origin$197K — $276K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years in high-reliability physics-based simulation and dynamic modeling
  • Strong fundamentals in dynamics and multibody modeling
  • Proven record of simulation driving lifecycle decisions
  • Experience with Python/C/C++ for simulation framework development
  • Familiarity with control system concepts for closed-loop simulations

Responsibilities

  • Rapidly develop and iterate Newton dynamic models for system evaluation
  • Build rover mobility scenarios in Isaac Sim for design insights
  • Develop tailored terra mechanics approaches for various model fidelities
  • Support control architecture trades by delivering simulation data
  • Produce technical roadmaps for model maturation and verification
  • Generate synthetic data for machine learning training
  • Mentor junior engineers and promote best practices in simulation software

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
  • Paid parental leave and short/long-term disability
  • 401(k) with up to 5% company match
  • Stock options for all regular employees
  • Generous paid time off and holidays
Full Job Description
Application close date:
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

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.

Responsibilities

Consisting of: Early studies / pre-project work (architecture & trades) and Project execution (design, implementation, verification)

- Rapidly stand up and iterate Newton dynamic models (6-DoF / multi-body as appropriate) to evaluate system concepts, margins, sensitivity, and operational envelopes
- Build scenario-based rover mobility studies in Isaac Sim (terrain/slope/obstacle cases, contact/traction behaviors, repeatable test harnesses) to inform requirements and design decisions
- Develop terra mechanics approaches appropriate to fidelity needs (e.g., simplified parametric models for trades vs. higher-fidelity models for risk retirement) and quantify key sensitivities/uncertainties
- Support control architecture and actuator concept trades by providing simulation data products (control margins, sensitivity sweeps, operational envelopes)
- Produce technical roadmaps: model maturation plan, test-to-model correlation plan, and phased verification strategy (MIL1212SIL12HIL)
- Generate synthetic data to support machine learning training activities

- Mature Isaac Sim + Newton models into verification-grade assets: configuration management, parameter governance, logging/metrics, automated regression scenarios
- Correlate models to component/vehicle/rover test data; drive system identification, parameter updates, and model credibility arguments
- Implement plant models, actuator dynamics, sensor models, and environment interactions within simulation frameworks to enable closed-loop analysis
- Define simulation verification artifacts (test cases, scenario coverage, acceptance criteria, model credibility evidence) for both space vehicle and rover mobility domains
- Support debugging and anomaly resolution from lab to integrated testing (and operations as applicable) through simulation replay and analysis
- Mentor junior engineers and establish best practices for simulation/modeling software quality and reviews

Required Qualifications

- 8+ years developing physics-based simulation and dynamic models for high-reliability systems (aerospace/space, mobility platforms, or similarly mission-critical systems)
- Strong dynamics and multibody modeling fundamentals: rigid/flexible body formulations, contact mechanics, actuator/sensor abstraction, numerical methods
- Demonstrated ability to use simulation to drive decisions across the lifecycle: trade studies 12 design 12 verification
- Experience with simulation framework development (Python, C/C++) plus disciplined configuration management, automated testing, and verification practices
- Familiarity with control system concepts sufficient to implement and evaluate closed-loop simulations (stability, estimation, tuning)

Desired Qualifications

- B.S. (M.S./Ph.D. preferred) in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Robotics, Computational Science, or related field
- Hands-on experience with NVIDIA Isaac Sim for mobility/vehicle scenario simulation (repeatable environments, terrain/contact interaction workflows, logging/analysis)
- Experience developing/using Newton dynamics models for rapid iteration and verification support (multi-body/6-DoF, actuator/sensor abstractions, Monte Carlo/sensitivity)
- Lunar surface terra mechanics experience (slip/traction modeling, sinkage/rolling resistance, slope handling)
- MIL/SIL/HIL verification experience and automated regression testing of simulation scenarios
- Experience correlating models to hardware test data (system identification, parameter estimation, model credibility frameworks)
- Experience applying modern software practices to modeling/simulation (CI, automated tests, configuration/parameter management)

Base Pay Range for:
WA applicants is $197,529.00 - $276,539.55

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.

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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