Structural Analyst - Mechanical & Fluid Components, Launch Vehicles

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 supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a single-configuration, heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to low-Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar, and beyond. Its first stage is fully reusable, and the vehicle was designed from the beginning to be human-capable.

This role supports the VAST (Valves, Actuators, Standards and Technology) team of New Glenn. VAST is developing a suite of high performance valves, actuators, quick disconnects and umbilical’s primarily for use on New Glenn, but with applications across Blue’s platforms. New Glenn is a single-configuration heavy-lift launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to Earth’s orbit and beyond. Engineered with a reusable first stage and a seven-meter payload fairing, New Glenn is building the road to space.

As part of a small, hard-working, and accomplished team of experts, you will own the structural analysis, testing, and qualification of mechanical and fluid component systems for spaceflight hardware — including umbilical systems, quick disconnects, valves, regulators, and electromechanical actuators. You will share in the team’s impact on all aspects of structural design, analysis, operation, and project management. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your dedication and detailed attention toward safe and reliable spaceflight. We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and dedication to quality to positively impact mission assurance. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Responsibilities:

·         Support early concept down select to ensure we have a robust design solution

·         Perform detailed hand calculations and finite element (FE) analysis of primary and secondary aerospace components

·         Conduct structural analysis of mechanical systems including umbilical systems, quick disconnects, valves, regulators, and electromechanical actuators

·         Support NSSL certification activities including risk closure, structural qualification gap assessments, and customer-facing deliverables

·         Document stress analysis to support release of engineering drawings and technical documentation

·         Develop and substantiate dispositions for structural nonconformances with analytical justification

·         Support cross-functional teams with inputs for configuration development and trade studies

·         Improve enterprise analysis capabilities by developing process automation tools for model creation, optimization, strength checks, and analysis report generation

·         Collaborate effectively and constructively with team members from various disciplines, adjacent teams, and manufacturing personnel

Minimum Qualifications

·         B.S. degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related Engineering discipline

·         5+ years of experience with aircraft, spacecraft, and/or launch vehicle components

·         Demonstrated proficiency with one or more FEA codes: Nastran, Optistruct, Ansys, Abaqus

·         Proficiency with nonlinear FEA tools (e.g., Ansys Mechanical, Abaqus)

·         Strong understanding of FEM modeling techniques (boundary conditions, bolted connections, contact, verification methods, mesh sensitivity, etc.)

·         Experience with fatigue analysis (S-N, crack initiation) for metallic aerospace components

·         Experience with development and/or qualification testing (test requirements, setup/configuration, test predictions, test conduct/monitoring, data analysis)

·         Knowledge of aerospace and/or launch vehicle structural requirements and design standards

·         Familiarity with classical aerospace sizing methods (e.g., Bruhn, Niu, Roark’s Formulas)

Preferred Qualifications

·         M.S. degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related Engineering discipline

·         Experience analyzing mechanical components such as valves, regulators, quick disconnects, umbilical systems, and electromechanical actuators

·         Experience with analyzing and dispositioning structural non-conformances, including use-as-is justifications with analytical substantiation

·         Familiarity with damage tolerance and fracture mechanics principles (crack growth, residual strength, inspection interval development)

·         Experience working on government-contracted programs (NSSL, EELV, or similar) including familiarity with customer-facing technical deliverables and milestone reviews

·         Experience with Ansys Motion, Adams or similar multi-body dynamics tools

·         Experience with LS-Dyna or similar explicit dynamics tool for energetic simulation

·         Demonstrated experience with metallic and/or composite structural layout, analysis, testing, and qualification methods

·         Process automation experience using scripting languages (Python, MATLAB, VBA, Fortran, etc.)

·         Experience with AI-assisted coding using LLMs (e.g., GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude) to accelerate script development and automation workflows

·         Experience developing structural inspection criteria and flight/test readiness assessments using risk-based approaches

·         Proficiency with CAD tools such as Creo

·         Experience with structural optimization methods and design sensitivity analysis

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $121,023.00 - $169,432.20

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, 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.
• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
• 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 [email protected]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.