Mission Scientist - Planetary Mission (Space Resources Program)

Application close date:

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!

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:

• Fully in-person role based primarily at our Los Angeles SRCE facility; periodic domestic and international travel expected.

Key Responsibilities and Core Deliverables

• Science leadership and strategy
  • 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.
  • Deliver a documented science plan and roadmap, including review artifacts and action closures.
• Product definition and quality
  • Specify the science product suite from raw to higher-level processed products; establish acceptance criteria, quality metrics, and traceability.
  • Deliver a product definition and quality plan, configuration-controlled documentation, and review records.
• Data processing pipeline ownership
  • Architect, implement, verify, and operate the end-to-end pipeline from instrument data ingestion through processed data products and models.
  • Deliver configuration-managed software releases with test coverage, verification artifacts, reproducibility packages, and user documentation; maintain change-control and audit readiness.
• Modeling and mapping
  • Develop and validate geologic models with clear assumptions, uncertainty quantification, and calibration traceability.
  • Deliver technical reports, configuration-managed modeling code, data products, and prioritized target lists to support mission and campaign planning.
• Calibration and verification integration
  • Collaborate with instrument teams on calibration strategies and verification activities; integrate calibration data into operational processing.
  • Deliver a calibration integration plan and records linking calibration datasets to processing parameters and product acceptance.
• Mission operations and product generation
  • Lead operational production of science products from downlink to delivery; manage quick-turn outputs, anomaly investigations, reprocessing, and final closeout.
  • Deliver periodic science status updates and a final operations closeout package covering data, models, and acceptance evidence.
• Reviews, gates, and configuration management
  • Lead science content at major reviews and readiness gates; prepare artifacts, respond to actions, and maintain records per program standards.
  • Deliver an integrated science schedule and milestones, maintain configuration-managed archives, and align with data governance and cybersecurity requirements.
• Public release and partnerships
  • Coordinate compliant public data releases (acceptance records, documentation, screening) with internal stakeholders and international partners.
  • Deliver release packages to designated repositories; co-author publications; lead or co-lead proposals and partnership engagements with agencies, industry, and academia.
• Team leadership and collaboration
  • Direct and mentor science staff; drive cross-functional coordination with software, instruments, systems, and mission operations.
  • Deliver team operating rhythms, interface agreements, and stakeholder engagement plans that support milestone execution.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in planetary science, geochemistry, remote sensing, or related discipline.
• 7+ years of relevant experience in space science, remote sensing, or planetary science.
• Demonstrated ownership of science data pipelines for space or remote sensing missions, including definition of quality metrics, acceptance criteria, and configuration control.
• Experience developing and validating geologic models, including uncertainty quantification and correlation to calibration and ground truth.
• Experience translating science/modeling needs into instrument and data requirements in collaboration with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Proven record leading proposals and engaging external stakeholders (public agencies, industry, or academic partners).
• Experience operating within formal review, verification/validation, and change control environments.
• Proficiency with scientific programming and data analysis (e.g., Python; MATLAB or C++ as needed) and version control (e.g., Git).
• Strong collaboration skills in fast-paced environments; ability to coordinate cross-functional teams (science, instruments, software, systems, mission operations).

Preferred Qualifications:

• 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience integrating multi-instrument remote sensing datasets for geologic mapping.
• Demonstrated leadership of scientists/analysts with delivery to program milestones; mentorship and team leadership.
• Experience defining science operations concepts and aligning pipeline operations with mission timelines and stakeholder needs.
• Proficiency in model validation and uncertainty methods (e.g., statistical inference, Monte Carlo), geostatistics, and correlation with lab/field data; proficiency producing mapping products and prioritized targets.
• Experience with instrument feasibility trades, calibration planning, interface documentation, hardware-in-the-loop or field testing, and end-to-end science verification.
• Track record of successful proposals, partnerships, and peer-reviewed publications; experience coordinating public data releases and operating within data governance/export control frameworks.
• Effective communicator with experience presenting at major reviews to technical and executive audiences.

Compensation Range for:

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.

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