Mission Scientist - Planetary Mission (Space Resources Program)

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 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.

We believe that to preserve our planet, humanity must expand beyond our current limits, venturing into space to explore and harness new energy and material resources. In pursuit of this vision, we invite you to join our Space Resources Program, working alongside Blue Alchemist, Blue Origin's initiative to enable lunar surface power production and building blocks for humanity from local materials. The Space Resources Program encompasses multiple projects; in this role, you will contribute across the portfolio, including the current Blue Alchemist effort and future initiatives. We're dedicated to developing and demonstrating Prospecting and In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) technologies for the Moon, Mars, and beyond. If our mission resonates with you and you are eager to contribute, you could be the perfect addition to our inclusive, open-minded, and forward-thinking team.

In this hands-on leadership role, you will work in a fully in-person capacity primarily at our Los Angeles Space Resources Center of Excellence (SRCE) facility with periodic international travel. You will serve as the central scientific integrator for a lunar mission connecting business development, instrumentation, data pipelines, and geologic modeling into coherent plans and executed missions. You will own the end-to-end science data processing pipeline and geologic assessment models; define science data quality metrics and acceptance criteria; lead generation and acceptance of science products during mission operations; and coordinate compliant public data releases. You will work closely with a small science team, collaborating on systems, instruments, software, and mission operations, and engaging external partners to secure funding and amplify impact.

We value self-motivated, hands-on leaders who can find practical solutions to abstract problems. Our teams work in fast-paced cycles of design, analysis, and operations to deliver scalable solutions. We're looking for someone adaptable, willing to take action, eager to learn, and committed to a highly dedicated and open-minded team of team players working together, all while embracing a culture of safety and quality. Your creativity, innovative spirit, and ability to navigate changing requirements are crucial.

Conditions of Employment :

• Offer and start are contingent upon contract award / funding and required internal approvals. If the contract is not awarded, the role may be paused or canceled.

Location and Travel :

Key Responsibilities and Core Deliverables

Define the scientific roadmap across near-term and future phases; align concepts of operations, instrumentation needs, data products, and resource models with mission and business objectives.

Specify the science product suite from raw to higher-level processed products; establish acceptance criteria, quality metrics, and traceability.

Architect, implement, verify, and operate the end-to-end pipeline from instrument data ingestion through processed data products and models.

Develop and validate geologic models with clear assumptions, uncertainty quantification, and calibration traceability.

Collaborate with instrument teams on calibration strategies and verification activities; integrate calibration data into operational processing.

Lead operational production of science products from downlink to delivery; manage quick-turn outputs, anomaly investigations, reprocessing, and final closeout.

Lead science content at major reviews and readiness gates; prepare artifacts, respond to actions, and maintain records per program standards.

Coordinate compliant public data releases (acceptance records, documentation, screening) with internal stakeholders and international partners.

Direct and mentor science staff; drive cross-functional coordination with software, instruments, systems, and mission operations.

Minimum Qualifications :

Preferred Qualifications :

Compensation Range for :

CA applicants is $140,959.00-$197,342.25

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.

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.

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. 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.

California Applicant Privacy Notice

If you are a California resident, please reference the CA Applicant Privacy Notice here .