Jim Lindblom
| jimlindblom@gmail.com | 970-389-5978 | Broomfield, CO | linkedin.com/in/jimblom |
- Jim Lindblom
- Professional Summary
- Core Competencies
- Technical Skills
- Professional Experience
- Education
- Certifications & Clearances
Professional Summary
Senior engineering manager with 17+ years of software development experience and a proven track record leading safety-critical avionics software teams in human spaceflight. Combines deep technical expertise in embedded systems with demonstrated leadership in team development, program execution, and safety-critical certification. Known for an unbroken 4+ year record of on-time delivery, growing team capability without additional headcount, and pioneering AI-powered tooling to multiply team productivity. Seeking senior management or director-level opportunities in aerospace where technical depth and people leadership intersect.
Core Competencies
| Leadership & Management | Technical Expertise |
|---|---|
| Team Development & Mentorship | DO-178C DAL B/C Certification |
| Program Planning & Execution | Safety-Critical Software Development |
| Agile/Sprint Methodology | Software Architecture & Design |
| Stakeholder Management | Embedded Systems (ARM, Linux) |
| Cross-Functional Collaboration | Requirements Analysis & Verification |
| Resource Planning & Scheduling | AI/GenAI Tool Development |
Technical Skills
| Category | Skills |
|---|---|
| Programming | C, C++, Python, Bash, Rust, Java, Markdown |
| AI & Automation | Claude/Anthropic API, GenAI prompt engineering, custom AI tool development, automated reporting and workflow systems |
| Process & Standards | DO-178C (DAL B/C), software verification, structural coverage analysis, configuration management, requirements traceability |
| Software Tools | Git, GitLab CI, Jira, VS Code, Primavera P6, Wireshark, IBM DOORS, VIM |
| Embedded Platforms | ARM (TI TMS570, Zynq), embedded Linux, real-time systems |
| Protocols | Async Serial, CAN, I2C, SPI, USB, IP |
Professional Experience
Blue Origin (2021-Present) | Remote (Littleton, CO)
CC Avionics Software Cognizant Engineer (Senior Manager)
November 2024 – Present
Lead the Crew Capsule Avionics Software team responsible for all flight software on Blue Origin’s New Shepard human-rated spacecraft. Serve as both functional manager and technical authority for a team of 5 software engineers developing DO-178C DAL B/C certified software.
Team Leadership & Development
- Grew team capability significantly without new hires through strategic project assignments and mentorship; peer feedback notes team is “stronger than ever” due to development focus
- Successfully advocated for multiple engineer promotions in 2025 while maintaining bi-weekly 1:1s, performance reviews, and career development planning
- Implemented bi-weekly sprint methodology, improving focus and delivery predictability
- Cultivated ownership culture enabling autonomous execution; empowered engineers to own major projects and entire subsystems
Program Execution & Delivery
- Led team through 7 major software qualifications in 2025, all delivered on-time or early, directly enabling New Shepard’s record 9-flight year
- Delivered vehicle’s first human-flight certification—a monumental effort requiring generated code inspection, formal reviews, certification documentation, and compliance gap closure
- Maintained subsystem schedule baseline in Primavera P6 without dedicated TPM support; translated Jira backlog to program schedule and presented status at weekly and monthly reviews
Technical Innovation & AI Leadership
- Recognized as the leading GenAI adopter in the New Shepard software organization; built persistent, shareable AI-powered tools that backfilled lost capacity and multiplied team productivity:
- MD Taskboard VS Code Extension: Custom task tracking reducing administrative overhead
- NSSWARCH Release Report Generator: Automated manual Jira reporting, saving hours per release cycle
- CCSW Ticket Generator Agent: Reduced friction for team ticket creation with architectural context
- Administrative AI Integration: Automated meeting notes, daily planning, and personal knowledge base
Next-Generation Program Design
- Led next-generation vehicle program planning while sustaining current operations; delivered Plan for Software Aspects of Approval (PSAA) on-time for CDR and produced comprehensive Software Architecture Design Description (SADD) with critical resource utilization analysis
- Contributed to major architecture decisions including processor trades, avionics redesign, and interface definition
- Ideated smaller-footprint test environment concept for qualification time reduction
CC Avionics Software Technical Lead
2022 – November 2024
Served as technical lead for all Crew Capsule software; responsible for software architecture, verification strategy, and technical direction across three flight vehicles (Nose 1, Nose 2, Nose 3).
- Led New Shepard’s Return to Flight (NS-24) after 2022 escape anomaly; directed software re-certification on new booster and provided on-call mission support
- Planned and executed NS-27 qualification—the first major software verification event since 2020 human-flight certification—leading a team of 6 engineers through weeks of test execution, data review, and requirement analysis
- Developed and implemented new LLSR tracing methodology for generated code, significantly improving DO-178C compliance posture
- Led integration of new hardware components (LIDAR, Navigation unit, escape initiator) into human-certified baseline
Senior Software Engineer
October 2021 – 2022
Returned to Blue Origin and the New Shepard Crew Capsule software team. Quickly took ownership of critical systems in early design phases and demonstrated readiness for technical leadership.
- Assumed ownership of Crew Capsule Nose 1 software—an older, payload-only, poorly-documented system with unique build processes and component interfaces
- Led design of safety-critical escape initiator interface through CDR, adding new critical interface to capsule avionics
- Earned Engineering Backroom (EBR) certification; represented capsule software subsystem during multiple missions including NS-23, which saw first unplanned (but safe) use of the escape system
- Served as acting technical lead during manager’s sabbatical (summer/fall 2022), gaining first experience leading and planning large-scale projects
Cesium Astro (2021) | Broomfield, CO
Senior Embedded Software Engineer
February 2021 – October 2021
- Co-led development of flight and ground software for satellite constellation demonstrating Ka-band phased array communication
- Developed spacecraft software drivers for propulsion, ADCS, intersatellite radios, and ground station interfaces
- Managed flight software embedded Linux build system and CI pipeline
- Participated in flight operations as software systems consultant and spacecraft operator
Blue Origin (2019-2021) | Kent, WA
New Shepard Avionics Software Engineer III
February 2019 – January 2021
- Led development, testing, and DO-178C certification of crew capsule avionics device drivers in C++
- Developed and maintained capsule payload system software providing customer interface to New Shepard Nose 1 vehicle
- Created requirements, software, and test plans enabling external NASA customers to fly sensor payloads on the New Shepard Booster
- Provided payload launch operations support and mentored new hires and new graduates
SparkFun Electronics (2009-2019) | Niwot, CO
SparkX Product Design Engineer
May 2018 – February 2019
- Engineering lead for SparkFun’s research and development division
- Led development of Bluetooth, cellular (LTE Cat M1/NB-IoT), LoRa, and IoT products from concept through production
- Responsible for full product lifecycle: schematic capture, firmware design, technical documentation, and L2/L3 support
Design Engineer
April 2009 – February 2017
- Owned complete product design lifecycle for 7 years at industry-recognized open-source hardware company
- Gained deep practical experience across embedded technologies: microcontrollers (AVR, ARM, PIC), wireless communication, sensors, displays, and power management
- Developed extensive technical documentation and tutorials reaching millions of engineers and hobbyists worldwide
Earlier Experience
Cardinal Peak (2018) | Senior Embedded Engineer | January 2018 – May 2018
- Developed Bluetooth audio software for high-end noise-cancelling headphones on Qualcomm CSR chipset
- Implemented A2DP, HFP, AVRCP, and other Bluetooth profile features; developed device-to-smartphone app interface
Arrow Electronics (2017-2018) | IoT Software Application Engineer | February 2017 – January 2018
- Designed and implemented IoT solutions for smart building, industrial, and retail applications using Linux gateways and embedded systems
- Developed sensor interface software for Modbus-based electrical and water-flow meters with remote MQTT monitoring
Education
University of Colorado, Boulder
B.S. Electrical and Computer Engineering | December 2007
Certifications & Clearances
- CC SW Engineering Backroom (EBR) Certified – Blue Origin
- Eligible for U.S. Government Security Clearance (U.S. Citizen)