Qualifications
Responsibilities
Benefits
Application close date:
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.About the Role
The Emerging Systems business unit at Blue Origin is pioneering the future of space-based communications withTeraWave, a revolutionary satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6Tbpsanywhere on Earth. This multi-orbit constellation will consist of 5,408 optically interconnected satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and 128 satellites in medium Earth orbit (MEO), providing enterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide.
Blue Origin's Emerging Systems is seeking a driven Mechanisms Engineer III to join a small, fast-moving team developing precision mechanical systems for theTeraWaveconstellation. On a lean team, you will personally own significant mechanism design scope end-to-end — from concept through qualification — with a high degree of autonomy and accountability for your hardware. You will work shoulder-to-shoulder with senior and principal engineers, but you will be thedirectly responsibleengineer for the mechanisms you take on.
Special Mentions
Relocationassistanceis available for qualified candidates.
Travel expectations: Up to 20% travel may berequiredfor integration activities, launch campaigns, and customer/vendor meetings.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Own the design and development of precision gimbal assemblies and pointing mechanisms for space-based optical communications terminals, from concept through flight qualification
Develop and be accountable for mechanism-level performance requirements, error budgets, and design margins across structural, thermal, and dynamic domains
Drive design trades for gimbal configurations, balancing mass, volume, stiffness, pointing accuracy, and on-orbit lifetime, and defend your recommendations in design reviews
Plan and execute mechanism qualification including component- and system-level testing in shock, vibration, and thermal vacuum environments, and own the resulting data and corrective actions
Author andmaintainmechanism design documentation, analysis reports, and test procedures supporting hardware build and test
Coordinate directly with cross-functional partners on mechanism integration, harness routing, and interface definition acting as the point of contact for your hardware
Partner with senior and principal engineers on the toughest technical problems, escalating risks early and proposing solutions
Support production transition through tolerance analysis, DFM/DFA improvements, and direct supplier engagement
Examples ofadditionalareas where you may contribute include:
Motor and encoderselectionfor precision drive systems
Bearing selection, preload analysis, and lubrication strategies for space mechanisms
Mechanism-level FMEA and reliability analysis
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering,Automotiveor related technical field
5+ years of experience in precision mechanisms design for space, aerospace, or high-reliability applications
Demonstrated ability to independently own the design, analysis, and qualification of gimbal assemblies, multi-axis pointing mechanisms, or similar precision mechanical systems
Proficiencyin 3D CAD software (e.g., Creo, NX, SolidWorks) and finite element analysis tools (e.g., ANSYS, NASTRAN,Comsol)
Working knowledge of mechanism kinematics, dynamics, and structural analysis
Hands-on experience with space qualification testing including vibration, shock, and thermal vacuum
Experience with bearing systems, drive trains, or precision actuators for space mechanisms
Solid understanding of GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, and interface control documentation
Familiarity with Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles
Self-directed work style witha strong senseof ownership and the ability to thrive with minimal oversight on a small team
Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering,Automotiveor related field
Experience with optical communications terminals orlasercompointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) systems
Exposure to lubrication and tribology for space mechanisms (e.g., dry film, ionic liquid, oil-impregnated)
Familiarity with STOP (Structural-Thermal-Optical-Performance) analysis workflows
Experience supporting transition of precision mechanisms from development into production
Exposure to statistical process control or production data analysis for mechanism performance verification
Why Blue Origin
At Blue Origin, we are driven by our company motto,GradatimFerociter, meaning 4Step by Step,Ferociously.4 We believe in methodical innovation to achieve our vision of enabling millions of people to live and work in space for the benefit of Earth. As a Mechanisms Engineer III on a small, high-ownership Opto-Mechanical Systems team, you will have outsized impact and direct accountability for hardware that will fly on theTeraWaveconstellation.You'llwork alongside world-class engineers on challenging problems, have access tostate-of-the-artfacilities, and see your designs through from sketch to orbit.
Base Pay Range for:
CA applicants is $121,023.00 - $169,432.20 CO applicants is $110,938.00 - $155,312.85 WA applicants is $121,023.00 - $169,432.20Other site ranges may differ
Culture Statement
Dont 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 youre excited about this role but your past experience doesnt 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
About Blue Origin
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