Liaison Engineer III, Structural

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, you will provide on-the-floor engineering support, own resolution of build issues, and drive continuous improvement across the production system. You will leverage your structural and manufacturing knowledge to protect configuration, improve yield and flow, and ensure hardware readiness for test and flight. 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. 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 · Please note that this will be a C-shift Position. C shift is Friday to Sunday 7am - 7pm (36 hours per week). Responsibilities include but are not limited to: · Serve as the primary engineering liaison for GS2 tanks and structural hardware on the production floor, coordinating across design, manufacturing, quality, test, and operations. · Own the Material Review Board (MRB) disposition of nonconformances, concessions, and repair plans for GS2 tanks and structures in partnership with responsible design engineers. · Lead triage, root cause analysis, and corrective actions for build issues, escapes, and test anomalies affecting tanks and structural assemblies. · Support daily production operations: respond to line stop issues, triage defects, review test data, and clear blockers to maintain- schedule while protecting safety and quality. · Coordinate with design owners to implement Engineering Change Requests (ECRs/ECOs) for GS2 Tanks and structural hardware; Provide feedback to improve drawings, models, instructions, and specifications. · Analyze and monitor production defects and test escapes to identify trends; drive systemic improvements to reduce rework, scrap, cycle time, and risk. · Partner with tooling, manufacturing engineering, and quality to develop and refine tooling, fixtures, and inspection methods for tank and structural build operations. · Contribute to design-for-manufacture and design-for-test feedback for future GS2 Tanks iterations and rate-readiness campaigns. · Support readiness reviews, RCCAs, and anomaly boards by preparing and presenting clear technical content related to GS2 tanks and structural hardware. · Author and maintain risk assessments, production readiness reviews, and build/test redlines to ensure configuration control and compliance with safety and quality requirements. · Maintain and communicate status of key production risks, mitigations, and process improvements for GS2 tanks and structures. · Provide day-to-day technical guidance to junior engineers and technicians on build intent, inspection criteria, and acceptable conditions. Minimum Qualifications · B.S. degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field. · 4+ years of relevant experience in production, test, or sustaining engineering for aerospace structures, launch vehicles, or aircraft. · Hands-on experience supporting hardware on a production floor, including direct interaction with technicians, quality, and manufacturing engineering. · Working knowledge of metallic and composite structural design and behavior (tanks, pressure vessels, primary/secondary structure) and associated fabrication processes (forming, machining, welding, assembly). · Experience creating, reviewing, and interpreting engineering drawings, 3D models (Creo/Windchill preferred), and work instructions. · Familiarity with structural analysis fundamentals and failure modes (yielding, buckling, fatigue, fracture) sufficient to assess disposition and repair for metallics and composite. · Demonstrated ability to disposition nonconformances and repairs in a fast-paced production environment for metallic and composite structural designs · Strong problem-solving skills and experience leading cross-functional root cause and corrective action efforts. · Strong written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to work cross -functionally with technicians, engineers, and leadership. · Ability to work full-time on site and support off-shift or weekend coverage as required by production needs. · Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident (green card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum. Preferred Qualifications: · Experience with cryogenic propellant tanks, large metallic launch vehicle structures, or pressure vessels. · Preferably metallic / composite analysis and/or repair experience · Experience with MRB authority, nonconformance systems, and configuration management in a regulated aerospace environment. Prior liaison, or production support engineering role working daily with manufacturing and test operations. · Background in design-for-manufacturability, lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement for complex assemblies. · Experience supporting readiness for structural and acceptance testing of tanks and large structures. · Demonstrated success influencing design and process changes to improve quality, cost, and schedule in production. 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.