Sr Structural Production Support and Sustaining Engineer

Job description

Application close date: Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed. 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!  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. As part of a hardworking, passionate, and accomplished team of experts, you will be responsible for the design, analysis, development, testing, and qualification of structural subsystems for New Glenn’s second stage and payload accommodations to support design, manufacturing, and operations. You will lead manufacturability and efficiency initiatives, vehicle modifications and impact analyses, and manufacturing floor support. You will generate concise and accurate design documentation, perform peer reviews, and provide technical leadership and guidance to sustaining engineers across the team. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your dedicated commitment and detailed attention toward safe and repeatable spaceflight. As we transition from the initial design, release, and qualification testing of flight hardware to the production and operational phase, you will be responsible for supporting production, ongoing testing, and mission operations and for shaping long-term sustainment strategies for your hardware scope. We are looking for someone to apply their deep technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required. Special Mentions: · Relocation may be provided · Travel expected up to 15% of the time · Interviews will include a technical assessment Responsibilities include but are not limited to: · Serve as technical owner for structural design and configuration of pressurized and unpressurized launch vehicle structures, including complex interfaces and mission-unique accommodations. · Lead detailed design, analysis, development, and testing of primary and secondary structures for production support, fleet sustainment, and continuous improvement. · Own resolution of hardware discrepancies, including timely disposition of manufacturing nonconformances, MRB participation, and leadership in failure investigations and corrective actions. · Drive complex, cross-functional problem resolution efforts and influence priorities and trade-offs across design, manufacturing, test, launch operations, and mission integration. · Lead research, concept development, and trade studies focused on manufacturability, reliability, reusability, and lifecycle cost reduction. · Develop and approve 3D models, detailed drawings, assemblies, installations, and interface control documents; ensure compliance with standards, requirements, and design intent. · Lead development of structural test plans, specifications, and other documentation for development, qualification, and acceptance of flight hardware. · Lead subsystem test planning, execution oversight, data reduction, and analysis; synthesize results into system-level recommendations and design updates. · Provide technical mentorship, coaching, and day-to-day guidance to junior and mid-level engineers; help grow structural engineering capability across the team. · Partner with multi-functional teams to select materials, manufacturing processes, and suppliers; guide make/buy decisions and process selection. · Plan, coordinate, and lead structural tests and design verification efforts; review and approve test data and reports. · Maintain and communicate schedule, budget, risk, and technical status for your subsystems; support roadmap and long-range planning. · Identify, prioritize, and implement improvements for operational efficiency, reliability growth, and lifecycle cost reduction across the fleet. · Oversee development and modification of equipment and tooling required to build, inspect, and maintain structural hardware. · Prepare and deliver technical content to internal and external customers, including design reviews, readiness reviews, and anomaly resolution boards. · Perform and guide access studies, loss-of-clearance analyses, and configuration studies; develop robust solutions for mission-unique requirements and late-arising changes. · Collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders across design, manufacturing, test, launch site operations, and mission integration to ensure hardware readiness for flight. Minimum Qualifications · B.S. degree in engineering and typically 8+ years of related experience with aircraft, spacecraft, or launch vehicle structures (or equivalent combination of education and experience). · Significant experience on launch vehicles, aircraft, or similar systems, including hands-on experience with hardware in production and/or in service. · Demonstrated expertise in structural design and analysis principles for metallic aerospace structures. · Structural design experience using CAD (Creo/Windchill preferred), hand calculations, and FEA tools, with a track record of delivering flight hardware. · Experience working in multi-functional organizations to develop designs and produce world-class engineered products. · Deep understanding of metallic design fundamentals and structural load paths, including strong experience in bolted joint design and analysis. · Proficiency with GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and familiarity with ASME Y14.100 and Y14.41. · Proven ability to take ownership of the hardware lifecycle from requirements definition through concept development, design, analysis, testing, qualification, and integration onto a launch vehicle. · Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience influencing decisions and aligning stakeholders. · Demonstrated experience mentoring and technically developing other engineers. Preferred Qualifications · Demonstrated impact designing for manufacturability and value engineering, with emphasis on cost reduction, build time optimization, and design-for-reuse. · Experience designing hot and cryogenic structures and understanding associated materials and analysis methods. · Experience with rapid development and test-and-learn approaches for hardware. · Deep expertise with industry-standard analysis codes such as Ansys, Nastran, Optistruct, LS-Dyna, Hypermesh, Hypersizer, NASGRO, or Abaqus. · Strong familiarity with buckling, fatigue, and fracture mechanics failure modes and mitigation strategies. · Experience with fabrication and integration of large-scale metallic aerospace structures. · Knowledge of systems engineering practices, configuration management, fabrication and integration processes, and quality control, including work in regulated environments. 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, 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. 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.