Quinte West, Ontario, Canada · On-site
$173k–$243k/yr
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 workin…
Skills: Autonomous Orbit Determination, Astrodynamics, Optical Navigation, Radiometric Navigation, Estimation Theory
Denver, Colorado, United States · On-site
$98k–$137k/yr
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 workin…
Skills: Orbit Determination, Astrodynamics, Orbital Mechanics, Python, Julia
Reston, Virginia, United States · Hybrid
$109k–$147k/yr
Verisign helps enable the security, stability, and resiliency of the internet. We are a trusted provider of internet infrastructure services for the networked world and deliver unmatched performance in domain name system…
Skills: Software development, Systems development, Prototype development, C, C++
Reston, Virginia, United States · Hybrid
$164k–$222k/yr
Verisign helps enable the security, stability, and resiliency of the internet. We are a trusted provider of internet infrastructure services for the networked world and deliver unmatched performance in domain name system…
Skills: Research engineering, Systems development, Network security, Cryptography, Privacy
Reston, Virginia, United States · On-site
$162k–$315k/yr
6G Standards Research Engineer About Ofinno: Ofinno is a leading research and development lab headquartered in Reston, Virginia, specializing in advancing communication and media standards. Our team’s innovative work has…
Skills: 6G technologies, 3GPP standards, RAN1, RAN2, Wireless communication
Reston, Virginia, United States · On-site
$162k–$315k/yr
3GPP SA Standards Engineer About Ofinno: Ofinno is a leading research and development lab headquartered in Reston, Virginia, specializing in advancing communication and media standards. Our team’s innovative work has led…
Skills: 3GPP standardization, SA2 working group, CT1 working group, Intellectual property rights, 5GS architecture
Reston, Virginia, United States · Hybrid
$146k–$319k/yr
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally throu…
Skills: PostgreSQL, Database architecture, Data modeling, Query optimization, Python
Reston, Virginia, United States · On-site
$69k–$132k/yr
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally throu…
Skills: Windows OS, Linux OS, CI/CD Pipeline, DoD Risk Management Framework, ACAS
Reston, Virginia, United States · On-site
$162k–$315k/yr
3GPP RAN1/RAN2 Standards Engineer About Ofinno: Ofinno is a leading research and development lab headquartered in Reston, Virginia, specializing in advancing communication and media standards. Our team’s innovative work …
Skills: 3GPP standardization, RAN1, RAN2, 5G NR, Intellectual property
Reston, Virginia, United States · On-site
ICF Incorporated, LLC: Senior Manager, Environmental Health Sciences – Reston, VA DUTIES: Lead product and project management activities for the development, enhancement, and maintenance of scientific and data driven tec…
Skills: Health Informatics, Epidemiology, Systematic Review, Project Management, Data Analysis
Reston, Virginia, United States · On-site
$105k–$130k/yr
Purpose and Impact: Amentum provides warning and all-source analytical support to DIA’s Defense Combating Terrorism Office to drive DoD policy, planning, and operational decisions to counter regional and transnational te…
Skills: Counterterrorism analysis, All-source intelligence, Strategic assessment, Threat network analysis, Intelligence collection management
Reston, Virginia, United States · On-site
$73k–$133k/yr
Leidos, a leading government contractor, is excited to announce our recent award of a significant Intelligence Program in Northern Virginia, known as Beacon. This long-term program offers exceptional opportunities for sk…
Skills: Counterintelligence, Intelligence analysis, Research methods, Risk management, Intelligence reporting
Reston, Virginia, United States · On-site
$68k–$75k/yr
Purpose and Impact: Amentum provides warning and all-source analytical support to DIA’s Defense Combating Terrorism Office to drive DoD policy, planning, and operational decisions to counter regional and transnational te…
Skills: All-source intelligence analysis, Counterterrorism analysis, Watchlisting, DoD datasets, Identity intelligence
Reston, Virginia, United States · Hybrid
Responsibilities **This position is for upcoming work and is contingent upon task award/funding. ** This will be based out of Reston, VA Noblis is seeking a Principal Regulatory Scientist to support critical national sec…
Skills: Regulatory science, FDA regulatory requirements, Medical countermeasure development, Technical writing, Data analysis
Reston, Virginia, United States · On-site
$150k–$180k/yr
Umbra is an American space technology company delivering advanced systems, from sensors to spacecraft, that empower customers worldwide with unmatched access to critical information from space. Our mission is simple and …
Skills: Site Reliability Engineering, DevOps, AWS, Kubernetes, Terraform
HydroGeoLogic, Inc.Reston, Virginia, United States · On-site
$108k–$167k/yr
Job Title: Environmental Project Manager II Location: Reston, VA Description/Job Summary POSITION DESCRIPTION HGL has a position open for an Environmental Project Manager II to manage project work based out of our Reston…
Skills: Project management, CERCLA, RCRA, Environmental remediation, Technical writing
HydroGeoLogic, Inc.Reston, Virginia, United States · On-site
$96k–$145k/yr
Job Title: Environmental Project Manager I Location: Reston, VA Description/Job Summary POSITION DESCRIPTION HGL has a position open for an Environmental Project Manager I to support project work based out of our Reston,…
Skills: Project management, CERCLA, RCRA, Environmental remediation, Budgeting
HydroGeoLogic, Inc.Reston, Virginia, United States · On-site
$50k–$70k/yr
Job Title: Geologist I Location: Reston, VA Description/Job Summary POSITION DESCRIPTION HGL currently has an opening for a Geologist I based in our Reston, Virginia office. This position will support U.S. Environmental …
Skills: Geology, Hydrogeology, Environmental sampling, Groundwater monitoring, Soil sampling
Reston, Virginia, United States · Hybrid
$127k–$277k/yr
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally throu…
Skills: Vulnerability research, Reverse engineering, Software development, Malware analysis, Penetration testing
Reston, Virginia, United States · Hybrid
At Qualtrics, we create software the world’s best brands use to deliver exceptional frontline experiences, build high-performing teams, and design products people love. But we are more than a platform—we are the creators…
Skills: Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Reinforcement Learning, Python, PyTorch
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Lead the development of autonomous onboard navigation architectures for deep space missions, integrating optical and radiometric measurement sources. Provide technical authority and mentorship to navigation engineers while supporting ground-based orbit determination for early lunar and Mars missions.
Requires a Master's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering with over 10 years of experience in spacecraft navigation and orbit determination. Must be proficient in astrodynamics, estimation theory, and at least one programming language (Python, Julia, or C++).
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!
The role is part of the In-Space Systems business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit.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!
Lead the Next Generation of Deep Space Navigation
Blue Origin's Blue National Security business unit is extending humanity's reach beyond Earth orbit. Blue Ring, our multi-mission space vehicle, is designed to operate across cislunar, heliocentric, and interplanetary regimes — including missions around the Moon and Mars that will serve as critical infrastructure for humanity's expansion into deep space. These missions demand navigation solutions that go far beyond traditional ground-in-the-loop paradigms, operating with increasing autonomy across multiple dynamically complex environments.
As a Principal Autonomous Navigation Engineer on the Astrodynamics and Trajectory eXecution (ATX) team, you will serve as the technical authority for developing autonomous onboard navigation capabilities that will define future deep space missions. While our vision is fully autonomous deep space navigation, near-term missions will rely on robust ground-based orbit determination. This role also requires subject matter expertise in ground-based statistical orbit determination using radiometric measurements, which you will apply to operational missions while simultaneously leading the development of autonomous navigation systems for the future. You will integrate optical and radiometric techniques into a coherent autonomous navigation architecture spanning ground and spacecraft, driving design from concept through flight and shaping the algorithms, software, and operational processes that define Blue Origin's deep space navigation philosophy.
This is a must-have position for our lunar and Mars mission portfolio. You will set technical direction, mentor a growing team of navigation engineers, and directly enable mission success across Blue Origin's most ambitious deep space programs.
Your Impact:
Shape the Autonomous Navigation Architecture: Define the end-to-end architecture for onboard autonomous orbit determination, integrating optical and radiometric measurement sources into a coherent, flight-ready navigation system for cislunar and interplanetary missions.
Lead Deep Space Autonomous Navigation Development: Own the development and integration of optical and radiometric measurement processing into onboard algorithms for cislunar and interplanetary missions. Drive the technical roadmap from concept through flight implementation, defining the path toward fully autonomous deep space navigation.
Roadmap the Path to Full Autonomy: Define the long-range strategy for onboard navigation capability maturation — particularly for deep space regimes with limited ground contact — and drive its implementation across the Blue Ring fleet.
Support Ground Navigation Operations: Contribute to live ground-based orbit determination alongside the ATX team when operational missions require hands-on navigation support.
Execute Ground-Based Navigation Processing: Apply your subject matter expertise in statistical orbit determination using radiometric and optical measurements to deliver navigation solutions for early lunar and Mars missions as Blue Origin's autonomous capabilities mature.
Collaborate Across Disciplines: Interface with GNC, avionics, flight software, systems engineering, and flight operations teams to ensure onboard navigation algorithms are properly integrated, supported by flight hardware, and validated end-to-end.
Mentor and Lead: Provide technical leadership and mentorship to navigation engineers; establish best practices for algorithm development, testing, and verification.
Deliver Excellence: Present results and support critical design reviews using Agile development methodologies.
Minimum Qualifications:
M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fields.
10+ years of proven experience in spacecraft navigation, orbit determination, or related astrodynamics disciplines.
Demonstrated experience developing and implementing orbit determination algorithms.
Experience with optical navigation techniques (e.g., camera calibration, optical centroiding, terrain-relative navigation, star-based navigation, landmark tracking).
Strong fundamentals in astrodynamics, orbital mechanics, and estimation theory.
Applied experience in navigation tools such as Monte, STK/ODTK, FreeFlyer, or GMAT.
Experience in at least one of the following: Python, Julia, or C++.
Demonstrated ability to define navigation requirements.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion.
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:
Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fields.
Experience with cislunar or interplanetary mission navigation.
Experience with radiometric navigation techniques (Doppler, ranging, VLBI, or similar).
Experience developing or deploying autonomous/onboard navigation systems in flight.
Experience with optical navigation in deep space approach and proximity operations.
Experience with GNC algorithm development and flight software integration.
Experience with maneuver planning & execution
Experience with rendezvous & proximity operations
Experience leading a navigation team through design, development, and operational deployment.
Demonstrated knowledge of the mission design lifecycle from conceptualization through operational flight.
Experience with DevOps processes including configuration control, continuous integration/deployment, Agile methodologies, and code review.
Previous experience with software development tooling such as Jira, git, Jenkins, Docker, and at least one IDE.
Willingness or ability to acquire Active Top Secret (TS) / Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security clearance with Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) with polygraph preferred.
Base Pay Range for:
VA applicants is $183,193.00 - $256,469.85
CO applicants is $173,466.00 - $242,851.35Don’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.
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.
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.
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.
Blue Origin manufactures and operates rocket engines, reusable launch vehicles, lunar landers, and satellite systems. Discover more at BlueOrigin.com. *We hope you engage with us and our community. However, we reserve the right to remove derogatory or off-topic comments from our social media accounts. Thank you for understanding.*
Offices: Kent, WA, US · Huntsville, AL, US · Merritt Island, FL, US · Los Angeles, CA, US · Reston, VA, US
Based on 102 listings with disclosed salaries, most science & research jobs in Reston, VA pay between $75k–$220k per year. Individual offers vary with seniority, company size, and specialization.
There are currently 125 open science & research positions in Reston, VA listed on Clera. New openings are added daily as companies post roles.
Companies currently hiring include Blue Origin, The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University, ICF Next, Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, among others. Browse the listings above to see every active employer.
Yes — 36 of the 125 open science & research positions offer remote or hybrid work (15 remote, 21 hybrid).
Each listing links directly to the employer's application page. Apply early — fresh listings get the most recruiter attention in the first two weeks.
