Blue Origin

Materials & Process Engineering II - TPS, Sealants, Coatings & Adhesives

Blue Origin$90K — $120K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • B.S. degree or higher in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Chemistry, or a relevant technical engineering field.
  • Industrial experience in thermal protection systems, structural bonding, sealants, or aerospace coatings.
  • Deep understanding of polymer chemistry, cure kinetics, surface prep physics, and adhesion phenomena.
  • Ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings, CAD models, and material callouts.
  • Self-motivated with a proven track record of driving material/process development independently.
  • Strong understanding of chemical storage, hazard evaluation, and EHS protocols.

Responsibilities

  • Develop, test, and qualify application and curing processes for TPS and adhesives.
  • Independently manage and execute process qualifications and verification campaigns.
  • Establish and qualify critical surface preparation methods for robust adhesion.
  • Author detailed process specifications and test plans in line with aerospace standards.
  • Scale up chemical processes from lab to production for flight hardware.
  • Review test results and evaluate non-conformances for processed hardware.
  • Collaborate with engineers and technicians to develop procedures for flight hardware.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus life insurance options.
  • Paid parental leave and short/long-term disability coverage.
  • 401(k) plan with a company match up to 5%.
  • Stock options for all regular employees working at least 20 hours/week.
  • Up to four weeks of paid time off and 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.

We are a team of collaborators, doers, and problem-solvers who are relentlessly committed to a culture of safety. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable space flight. Join us in lowering the cost of access to space and enabling Blue Origin's vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth.

As part of a unique, rapidly evolving team, you will develop, qualify, and support the production of thermal protection systems (TPS), structural/non-structural adhesives, environmental sealants, and engineered coatings for flight hardware in accordance with Blue Origin's strict aerospace specifications. You will work hands-on with chemical/materials engineers, design teams, and technicians in the manufacturing area to build our launch vehicles and spacecraft. We seek people who are passionate about space and possess a strong desire to deliver results, and continuously learn and improve.

We are looking for a self-motivated individual to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Responsibilities:
  • Develop, test, and qualify application and curing processes for TPS, adhesives, elastomeric sealants, and functional/protective coatings.
  • Independently plan, manage, and execute coupon-level, component-level, and subscale process qualifications and verification campaigns with minimal guidance.
  • Establish and qualify critical surface preparation methods (e.g., solvent cleaning, abrasion, grit-blasting, chemical etching, and atmospheric plasma) to ensure robust adhesion.
  • Author, set up, and execute detailed process specifications, application instructions, and test plans in accordance with aerospace requirements and industry standards.
  • Scale up chemical and application processes from lab-scale/prototype to production-scale realization on flight hardware.
  • Review chemical/physical test results from processed hardware, evaluate inspection findings, and disposition non-conformances (MRB support).
  • Work with an interdisciplinary team of manufacturing engineers, tooling engineers, and skilled operators to develop masking, surface preparation, mixing, and dispensing tooling/procedures for flight hardware.
  • Operate and oversee chemical preparation, mixing, testing, and application equipment (e.g., spray booths, environmental chambers, automated dispensers) as needed.
  • Specify, execute, and interpret chemical, mechanical, and thermal tests (e.g., peel, lap shear, DSC, TGA, DMA, and environmental aging).
  • Provide day-to-day manufacturing support in clean rooms, spray stalls, and integration areas including shop travelers, safety protocols, shelf-life verification, out-time tracking, and material traceability.
  • Manage testing programs and technical relationships with material suppliers, chemical manufacturers, testing labs, and equipment vendors.
  • Apply general shop and laboratory compliance, including hazardous chemical safety (SDS), personal protective equipment (PPE), Foreign Object Debris (FOD) prevention, contamination control, and environmental regulations.
  • Travel as needed to support design interface meetings, equipment support, or off-site development activities.
  • Maintain a safe, clean, and organized work area in alignment with 5S standards.


Qualifications:
  • B.S. degree or higher in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Chemistry, or a relevant technical engineering field.
  • Industrial experience in one or more core polymer areas: thermal protection systems (TPS), structural bonding, environmental/fuel tank sealants, joint potting, or aerospace coatings.
  • Deep technical understanding of polymer chemistry, cure kinetics, rheology, surface prep physics (e.g., grit-blast, atmospheric plasma, primers), and adhesion phenomena on aerospace metals and composites.
  • Ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings, CAD models, and material callouts.
  • Self-motivated and proactive, with a demonstrated ability to drive material/process development and qualifications to completion with little guidance.
  • Strong, fundamental understanding of chemical storage, hazard evaluation, and reactive-chemistry shelf-life tracking.
  • Fundamental understanding of chemical storage, handling, environmental health & safety (EHS), and shelf-life tracking.
  • Approachable disposition, broad-minded, and adaptable to rapidly changing requirements.
  • Calm demeanor in high-pressure situations with the tenacity to resolve conflict for permanent problem resolution.


Desired:
  • Master's or Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, or Materials Science & Engineering.
  • Experience in designing tooling, masking, templates, and fixturing for adhesive application or coating processes.
  • Hands-on experience in manual and automated application methods (e.g., wet spray, automated bead dispensing, custom extrusion, vacuum bagging).
  • Experience and familiarity with chemical and thermal analysis equipment (such as FTIR, DSC, TGA, DMA, or optical microscopy).
  • Familiarity with aerospace specifications and standards for non-metallic materials (e.g., ASTM, SAE AMS, MIL-SPECs).
  • Experience in aerospace failure analysis and root cause investigation for polymer or coating failures.
  • Experience with any CAD software is a plus.
  • Strong written, interpersonal, and organizational communication skills.


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 (CDL drivers only), 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.


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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