Mechanical Engineer 3 - Launch Vehicle Umbilical Systems

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.

As a Mechanical Engineer III on the umbilicals team, you'll own mission-critical mechanical designs from concept through flight and service - setting the development strategy for your products and driving them to closure with minimal oversight.

You'll work the full design cycle on high-pressure, cryogenic, and highly stressed hardware: concept and detailed design, trade studies, analysis, development testing, and qualification. You'll design in Creo, release through Windchill, analyze in ANSYS, and deliver to ASME Y14.5. You'll own the technical reviews for your projects and the design feedback other engineers depend on. This is a hands-on role - expect to be personally engaged in supplier and operations planning.

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and dedication to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Responsibilities

• Own mechanical component, assembly, and installation designs and their technical data - models, drawings, specifications, test plans, analysis reports, work orders - from concept through flight and service.
• Set development strategy and tactical plans for your products; provide input to schedule, budget, and milestones.
• Perform and review structural, tolerance, and thermo-fluid analysis, and give design feedback to other engineers.
• Lead component and system level testing: planning, execution, data reduction, and analysis.
• Develop component specifications, manage suppliers, and drive procurement.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action for major nonconformances.
• Support fabrication, integration, and test with hands-on product engineering expertise.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or equivalent.
• 5+ years designing aerospace or equivalent mechanical systems for aircraft, spacecraft, or launch vehicles.
• Advanced 3D CAD proficiency, including detail and assembly drawings with GD&T (ASME Y14.5).
• Working knowledge of aerospace requirements, testing, and materials.
• Demonstrated design experience with valves, actuators, mechanisms, bellows, tubes, latches, or pressurized components.
• Working knowledge of fabrication, assembly/integration, and quality control for tubes, machined components, and welded hardware.
• Self-starter with a strong bias for action, hands-on problem solving, and high attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced proficiency in Creo, including kinematic mechanism design.
• Experience with launch vehicle fluid systems, including cryogenics.
• Experience designing aerospace devices such as doors, latches, and umbilicals.
• Experience testing pressurized systems - water, pneumatics, hydraulics, and cryogenic propellants.
• Structural FEA using ANSYS, NASTRAN, or similar.
• Thermo-fluid solvers - Thermal Desktop (Sinda/Fluint), AFT (Fathom/Arrow), Excel-based models, REFPROP.
• Experience leading, mentoring, or guiding other engineers.

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.