Application close date:
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.
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.
Job DescriptionThis 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)
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion
• 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. 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 differCulture StatementDon'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.
