Design Engineer III, Structural/Mechanical GSE
BLUE ORIGIN
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 diverse team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!
We are a diverse 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.
This role is part of the New Shepard program. New Shepard is a reusable suborbital rocket system designed to take astronauts and research payloads past the Kármán line – the internationally recognized boundary of space. Through operational reusability, New Shepard supports our mission of lowering the cost of access to space.
You will be part of a well-rounded, talented team of engineers who designs, analyzes, and develops structural and mechanical GSE for New Shepard operations while supporting the hardware throughout all life cycle phases. You will be the owner for assigned hardware development through design, analysis, procurement/build, and final commissioning. New Shepard Structural/Mechanical GSE includes but is not limited to umbilical systems, launch mounts, plume deflector, launch towers, pipe supports, maintenance stands, transporters, dolly systems and other general tooling. You will receive project objectives/goals to turn into concept of operations and system requirements, perform concept, initial and final CAD design, perform structural analysis, inform system safety analysis, facilitate design reviews, and oversee build and final testing of the hardware. You will be responsible for mechanical system development that may include hydraulics, pneumatic, or other energized systems as required. You will be responsible for delivering cost-effective, simple, and elegant solutions to complicated problems through your structural and mechanical designs. You will inform project engineers with schedule and budget input, however, manage own project scope and timelines to deliver on program needs.
We are looking for a technically curious, doer engineer to apply their technical expertise, leadership, and passion to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Develop system technical requirements and concept of operations from project objectives and stakeholder/customer needs.
- Create detailed designs, design requirements, and bill of materials through 3D CAD models and 2D drawing packages.
- Define hardware test requirements and test configurations such as non-destructive evaluations, proof testing, operational testing, material testing, and weld inspections.
- Perform robust structural and mechanical analysis using FEA software and hand calculations. Author detailed analysis reports describing load cases, factors of safety, and safety margins.
- Perform system safety analysis such as Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analyses (FMECA), Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), and Fault Tolerance Analysis (FTA)
- Provide schedule, hours, and budget inputs for project timelines to project engineers.
- Develop activation and commissioning plans to set proper test objectives to ensure design hardware meets technical and operational requirements.
- Oversee procurement and build of GSE hardware (internal and external) to ensure hardware meets technical and operational requirements.
- Perform root cause analysis and develop corrective actions for assigned non-conformances.
- Travel up to 10% to support hardware installation, troubleshooting, testing, and re-occurring team support to our Launch Site One West Texas location as well as external vendors as required.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Minimum of a B.S. degree in mechanical, civil, or aerospace engineering or similar.
- Minimum 5 years meaningful experience developing structural and mechanical GSE throughout the product life cycle.
- Experience working with multi-functional teams including maintenance and sustaining operations.
- Experience developing operational procedures for testing, commissioning, and maintenance of GSE/Tooling.
- Strong organization and project management skills, to track, manage and prioritize multiple simultaneous assigned tasks.
- Advanced experience using CAD and FEA software (Creo and ANSYS preferred).
- Familiarity with industry codes and standards for GSE (e.g. ASME B30.20/BTH-1, OSHA, AISC-360, ASCE-7, Aluminum Design Manual).
- Familiarity and ability to create mechanical engineering drawings to industry standards such as ASME Y14.5.
- Fundamental understanding of hydraulic and pneumatic mechanical systems.
- Experience designing and analyzing steel and aluminum welded structures.
- 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 mechanical or aerospace engineering
- PE license in Civil/Mechanical/Structural
- Hands-on experience in constructing and/or repairing a diverse range of mechanical components and systems, acquired through personal pursuits and/or professional experience.
- Experience with designing/analyzing aerospace GSE and Tooling collaborating with critical flight hardware, such as umbilical systems, for an operating launch vehicle.
- Experience with designing and analyzing hydraulic/pneumatic mechanical systems.
- Fundamental understanding of ASME B31.3 for Process Piping standards.
Compensation Range for:
WA applicants is $111,690.00-$156,366.00Other site ranges may differ
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.
Inclusivity 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 a diverse, inclusive, and 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.
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.
Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
Discretionary bonus: Bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results.
Eligibility for benefits varies by role type, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role.
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, diverse, 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, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. 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, gender, 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 “EEO Is the Law,” 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 EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com.
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