Senior Instrumentation & Controls Engineer

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 team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!  

This role is part of Blue Origin Operations, which is comprised of Integrated Supply Chain, Test Operations, Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance. This includes Manufacturing and Supply Chain support across all Blue Origin facilities.

At Blue Origin, we are building the road to space — and that road runs through the ocean. Our Recovery Division sits at the extraordinary intersection of aerospace engineering and offshore marine operations, where the precision of spaceflight meets the unforgiving demands of the open ocean. Every successful recovery of a New Glenn first stage is a step toward radically lowering the cost of access to space and making reusable launch vehicles a reliable reality. At the heart of every modern vessel is the network of instrumentation, control systems, and automation platforms that allow a crew to safely monitor, command, and operate complex marine systems — and we need an engineer to help build that nervous system from the keel up.

As part of a hardworking, cross-functional team — working alongside the Senior Marine Electrical Engineer, the Technical Lead (Analyst / Naval Architect), a team of Project Construction Managers, and the Recovery Offshore Operations Engineer — you will support the design, integration, commissioning, and sustainment of instrumentation and control systems aboard Blue Origin's fleet of marine recovery vessels, including a purpose-built new construction vessel. You will work with control system hardware design, PLC and HMI software development, and the integration of analog and discrete instrumentation across marine systems including power management, engine room automation, ballast and tank gauging, HVAC controls, fire detection and suppression, and recovery-specific equipment interfaces. Your work will span from CAD design and schematic development through fabrication support, installation oversight, and system commissioning at shipyard and operational locations.

This is a rare opportunity to build and commission the control systems of a vessel purpose-built to recover rockets from the ocean. If you are passionate about instrumentation and automation and want to apply those skills to one of the most unique marine engineering programs in the world, this is the role for you. We are looking for someone eager to apply their technical expertise, strong work ethic, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Travel:

• Ability to relocate to Cape Canaveral, Florida
• 40–60% job-related travel, including extended periods at shipyard locations during construction
• International travel may be required

Responsibilities:

• Support the design, development, and integration of marine instrumentation and control systems for new vessel construction and fleet sustainment under the direction of the Senior Marine Electrical Engineer
• Create new and modify existing electrical power and controls schematics, single line diagrams, and interconnect diagrams for marine applications
• Create new and modify existing assembly drawings, panel layouts, and installation drawings for marine control systems and instrumentation enclosures
• Work directly with shipyard technicians, electricians, and contractors to progress fabrication, installation, and commissioning of new or modified I&C systems
• Generate wire lists, cable schedules, terminal schedules, bills of materials, and other relevant documentation for marine electrical and controls installations
• Develop, modify, and test PLC software for marine automation systems including engine room monitoring, power management, ballast control, alarm and monitoring systems, and recovery-specific equipment under the guidance of the Senior Marine Electrical Engineer
• Develop, modify, and test HMI and SCADA software for vessel monitoring and control interfaces
• Perform fabrication and installation reviews at shipyard locations and incorporate redlines for as-built documentation
• Assist in peer review of internal and external supplier design documentation, including shipyard-produced I&C drawings and specifications
• Support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) of marine automation systems, control panels, and instrumentation packages
• Support the integration of recovery-specific instrumentation and control interfaces in coordination with the Recovery Offshore Operations Engineer
• Coordinate with Project Construction Managers to ensure I&C installation sequences align with overall vessel construction schedules
• Coordinate with the Technical Lead (Analyst / Naval Architect) on technical requirements, system specifications, and classification compliance for I&C systems
• Perform work in compliance with CFRs, United States Coast Guard Standards, American Bureau of Shipping Guidelines, IEEE 45 (Recommended Practice for Electrical Installations on Shipboard), National Electrical Code, and other applicable standards for marine applications
• Apply relevant company, industry, and classification society standards and techniques to plan, lay out, and maintain data depicting engineering designs including detail, assembly, and installation drawings
• Support the development of preventive maintenance plans and procedures for I&C systems
• Document test results, lessons learned, and system configuration data
• Support troubleshooting and fault diagnosis of I&C systems during commissioning and operational phases

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Controls/Instrumentation Engineering; other engineering or science degrees will be considered if experience in the above responsibilities is demonstrated
• 2–5 years of relevant experience in instrumentation and controls design, installation, or commissioning
• Experience with AutoCAD Electrical or equivalent electrical CAD platform for schematic design and drafting
• Experience in electrical schematic design of control systems using analog and discrete instrumentation (transducers, pressure transmitters, temperature sensors, level sensors, limit switches, valves, motors, variable frequency drives, etc.)
• Experience creating fabrication assembly drawings and panel layouts
• Experience generating bills of materials, wire lists, terminal lists, and cable schedules
• Experience with PLC control systems (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens, ABB, or Kongsberg)
• Familiarity with HMI and SCADA development environments
• Experience with Microsoft Office products, including Excel for tabular documentation
• Ability to read and interpret marine electrical drawings, P&IDs, and system schematics
• Strong safety mindset, including experience following established procedures during hazardous or critical operations
• Ability to work at shipyard locations for extended periods and in physically demanding environments
• Ability to travel (estimated 40–60% during construction phase)

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with marine or shipboard automation systems (e.g., Kongsberg K-Chief / K-Pos, ABB Ability Marine, Wärtsilä NACOS, Siemens SISHIP)
• Experience with Rockwell Automation RSLogix 5000, Studio 5000 Logix Designer, or FactoryTalk
• Experience with AutoCAD P&ID
• Experience with SCADA packages (e.g., Iconics Genesis64, Inductive Automation Ignition, Wonderware, or similar)
• Knowledge of IEEE 45, IEC 60092, IEC 61162, and other marine electrical and instrumentation standards
• Knowledge of NEC 70, NEC 70E, NFPA 79, UL 508A as applied to industrial and marine control panels
• Knowledge of redundant control system design and fault-tolerant architectures
• Familiarity with ABS rules for vessel automation and control systems (ABS Guide for Integrated Software Quality Management)
• Familiarity with USCG CFR requirements for marine electrical and automation systems
• Experience with 3D CAD or PDM tools (e.g., Creo with Windchill, SolidWorks, or equivalent)
• Experience with dynamic positioning (DP) system interfaces or integration
• Experience with marine power management systems including generator synchronization, load sharing, and bus tie logic
• Exposure to or interest in launch vehicle ground support equipment or aerospace control systems
• Familiarity with system safety concepts such as Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) or Fault Tree Analysis (FTA)

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

Applicants 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 at EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.

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