Propulsion Engineer III

Join Blue Origin's Propulsion Integrated Product Team

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 team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!

The role is part of the In-Space Systems business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit.

You will join our propulsion integrated product team and drive the next generation of propulsion components within Blue Origin's new Blue National Security business unit.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the responsible engineer for composite overwrap pressure vessel (COPV) propellant tank components used on BNS spacecraft
• Serve as a primary contributor to the development of internal & external composite overwrap and composite structure development and production processes
• Author and maintain flight propellant tank and associated fixturing & ground support equipment designs and drawings, iteratively improving those designs from concept to production.
• Lead flight and ground support equipment (GSE) design reviews and coordinate inputs from propulsion, structures, materials & process, test, and manufacturing engineering team members.
• Work closely with other propulsion team members through iterative design, build, test loops to ensure that designs account for product requirements and appropriate DFx (design for manufacturing/assembly/test/automation/etc.) considerations
• Lead and/or support the internal & external development, flight qualification & production of new & existing propulsion components (primarily COPV's) for BNS spacecraft
• Develop & maintain propulsion component specifications, technical capabilities, flight qualification statuses, and performance analyses
• Author and/or review assembly & test procedures and work instructions for component fabrication, assembly & integration onto spacecraft
• Review component assembly and interface control drawings for technical adequacy
• Partner with a technical project manager to lead engineering team meetings to ensure team maintains project schedule
• Travel to partner & subcontractor facilities to guide & ensure technical progress on assigned components.
• Communicate the component development & production status to leadership
• Support the establishment & maintenance of propulsion component development roadmaps

Qualifications:

The candidate must have a B.S. Degree in mechanical, aerospace or civil engineering, or equivalent; a minimum of 7 years work experience including demonstrated experience in the following areas:

• Prior experience working with COPV's and associated composite systems (composite overwrap and composite structure layups) in the aerospace industry
• Demonstrated ability to lead a coordinated product team to author and/or review component specifications, drawings, test plans/procedures, and technical reports within a configuration management control system.
• Prior experience supporting structural composite process development and production at internal and external suppliers
• Experience with the selection and management of propulsion component & test suppliers
• Experience or familiarity with the propellant tank development lifecycle
• Able & willing to travel to suppliers and various Blue Origin sites up to 25% time.
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships
• 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.

Desired:

• Experience working with propulsion components, including chemical and/or electrical thrusters, fluid control components (latch valves, service valves, check valves, regulators, flow controllers, pressure transducers, etc.), propellant & pressurant tanks, and/or COPV's
• Experience developing the tooling and manufacturing practices needed to establish a COPV production work center.
• Knowledge of propulsion system design, sizing & the operational concepts that drive the tank performance requirements.
• Experience planning & leading test programs for materials, joints, components & full-scale tanks.
• Prior experience with a computer aided design tool, bill of materials management, creation and production release of piece part and assembly drawings.
• Prior experience with Jules, Windchill and Creo Parametric.

Compensation Range for:

WA applicants is $121,023.00 - $169,432.20

Other site ranges may differ

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.
• 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.

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 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. 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, sex, 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 "Know Your Rights," 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. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.

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