Blue Origin

Materials and Process Engineer II - Thermal Protection Systems

Blue Origin$88K — $105K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • B.S. in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
  • 2+ years of relevant experience in Materials and Process Engineering.
  • Strong understanding of materials science fundamentals across the development cycle.
  • Ability to interpret engineering drawings/models accurately.
  • Experience in addressing non-conformances and implementing corrective actions.
  • Proven track record in executing material test campaigns and vendor coordination.
  • U.S. citizenship or lawful residency is required.

Responsibilities

  • Lead material test campaign logistics, from planning to data delivery.
  • Evaluate and select materials for TPS based on performance metrics.
  • Manage hands-on fabrication and characterization of test articles.
  • Ensure meticulous traceability for tested hardware samples.
  • Analyze and reduce data from material tests to derive actionable insights.
  • Create and maintain engineering documentation and specifications.
  • Collaborate with design and manufacturing to integrate material requirements.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance, along with life insurance options.
  • Paid parental leave and short/long-term disability support.
  • 401(k) plan with a company match of up to 5%.
  • Stock Options for all regular employees working 20 hours/week or more.
  • Generous Paid Time Off including up to four weeks per year and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
Full Job Description

Application close date:

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

This role is part of Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE), supporting Blue Origin’s mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. The team fosters innovation and drives engineering workflows of the future, shared solutions and standards, simplicity and lower costs, and manufacturable design.

Summary: As a Materials and Process Engineer II specializing in Thermal Protection Systems (TPS), you will play a critical role in the design, development, and implementation of materials and processes for our innovative space vehicle. You will be part of a dynamic team of engineers and technicians, leveraging your expertise to select, test, and characterize materials for extreme thermal environments.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Lead the execution and logistics of material test campaigns, from initial planning and vendor coordination to final data delivery.

  • Evaluate and select metallic and non-metallic materials for use in TPS, considering mechanical properties, thermal performance, and environmental resistance.

  • Manage hands-on test article fabrication, hardware builds, and lab characterization activities.

  • Meticulously maintain specimen, lot, and batch traceability to ensure data pedigree for all tested hardware.

  • Perform data reduction, plotting, and analysis from various material tests to synthesize clear and actionable results.

  • Create, review, and maintain engineering documentation, including test procedures, test reports, and material or process specifications.

  • Collaborate with design and manufacturing teams to integrate material and process requirements into the vehicle design.

  • Support the production, integration, and refurbishment of thermal protection systems.

  • Practice root cause analysis and develop corrective actions for non-conformances.

  • Stay informed on emerging technologies and industry trends in advanced materials and thermal protection systems.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • B.S. in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related technical field.

  • 2+ years of relevant experience in Materials and Process Engineering.

  • Developing professional expertise in applying materials science fundamentals across the development cycle (requirements, design, analysis, fabrication, test).

  • Ability to interpret engineering drawings/models and apply their specific intent.

  • Experience contributing to the dispositioning of non-conformances.

  • Demonstrated experience in executing test campaigns and coordinating with test labs or vendors.

  • Proven ability to work independently on assigned projects and drive them to closure.

  • 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:

  • M.S. or Ph.D. in Materials Science/Engineering or a related field.

  • Direct hands-on experience with the manufacturing or testing of high-temperature materials and Thermal Protection System (TPS) materials (e.g., ablatives, ceramic matrix composites, high-temperature alloys).

  • Experience authoring or contributing to Process Control Documents (PCDs).

  • Demonstrated experience as a Material & Process signatory on a flight production program.

  • Experience with material characterization techniques (e.g., SEM, EDS, TGA, DSC).

  • Familiarity with Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) techniques.

  • Working knowledge of composite material testing standards, such as CMH-17.

  • Familiarity with design and analysis software (e.g., CAD, FEA, thermal analysis tools).

  • Knowledge of environmentally-assisted degradation of materials in space and atmospheric reentry environments.

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.


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.

About Blue Origin

Blue Origin is an aerospace company that develops rockets and spacecraft for commercial and government customers. The company's products include the New Shepard suborbital vehicle and the New Glenn orbital rocket. Blue Origin was founded in 2000 by Jeff Bezos and is headquartered in Kent, Washington.
Learn more about Blue Origin
Size
3,000 employees
Industry
Founded
2000

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