Principal Aerodynamics Engineer – Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering

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 is part of Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE), supporting Blue Origin’s mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. The team fosters innovation and drives engineering workflows of the future, shared solutions and standards, simplicity and lower costs, and manufacturable design.

As part of a team of the Aerosciences and Flight Mechanics team, you will support efforts including flight vehicle development and flight test projects by performing research, capability development, and analyses in the field of aerodynamics. Opportunities exist to conduct analysis spanning multiple disciplines, including flowfield modeling, wind tunnel testing, and aerosciences. 

We are looking for someone to apply their technical skills, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to join our team and positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required. If you’re excited by providing near-term value, solving novel problems, learning about interesting topics, and completing challenging activities, please apply! 

Responsibilities:  

• Support a broad team by leading the use of various CFD tools, including CFD++ and US3D
• Support concept and detailed aerodynamic design studies for subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic flight regimes
• Analyzing flight test data to determine vehicle aerodynamic performance 
• Develop and maintain a full vehicle aerodynamic database, including uncertainties
• Plan and model aerodynamic wind tunnel tests.
• Compare analytical model results with wind tunnel test data to resolve discrepancies and align results. 
• Test applications and build test cases and scenarios for successful deployment of solutions. 
• Mentorship and training of other team members. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• B.S. degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or Physics.  
• Successful candidates will typically have 8+ years of aerodynamic analysis experience in subsonic and hypersonic flight vehicles
• 10+ years experience with compressible flow computational fluid dynamics modeling 
• Experience with grid generation tools such as Link3D or Pointwise
• Experience with post processing tools such as Tecplot or Ensight
• Experience with a high-level programming language such as Python, C, or C++ 
• Self-directed and capable of balancing several tasks at one time. 
• Proven ability to work effectively and collaborate in a dynamic, fast paced, team-oriented environment. 

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Successful candidates will typically have a M.S. and /or PhD in a relevant scientific or engineering field and academic / internship experience using Systems Engineering tools and processes.  
• Successful candidates will typically have 15+ years of experience in hypersonic and subsonic computational fluid dynamics analysis
• Experience in flight certification process for human spaceflight 
• Experience with CFD codes such as CFD++ or US3D 
• Experience with CBAERO
• Experience with Git/GitLab
• Experience supporting wind tunnel testing and/or flight testing including data reduction and postflight data analysis 
• Experience in design, analysis, and/or certification of aerospace safety critical systems. 
• Support up to 25% domestic travel to engage in milestone reviews, training, supplier/partner/customer/team engagements. 
• Experience supporting a project through the product development lifecycle 

 

Compensation Range for:

CO applicants is $173,466.00 - $242,851.35 WA applicants is $183,193.00 - $256,469.85

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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