Structural Production Support and Sustaining Engineer III

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 own 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 provide day-to-day manufacturing floor support for your scope. You will generate concise and accurate design documentation, perform peer reviews, and provide technical guidance to early-career engineers. 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 for your hardware.

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership within projects, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required.

Special notes:

· Relocation may be provided

· Travel expected up to 15%

· Interviews will include a technical assessment

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

· Serve as a key contributor for structural design and configuration of pressurized and unpressurized launch vehicle structures, including complex interfaces and mission-unique accommodations.

· Lead detailed design efforts: develop and maintain 3D models, drawings, assemblies, installations, and interface control documents; ensure compliance with requirements and standards.

· Plan and perform structural sizing using hand calculations and FEA; coordinate with analysis specialists as needed.

· Drive resolution of hardware discrepancies, including timely disposition of manufacturing nonconformances, support to MRB, and participation in failure investigations.

· Support development of structural test plans, specifications, and procedures for development, qualification, and acceptance tests; participate in test readiness reviews.

· Lead or co-lead subsystem test planning, execution support, data reduction, and analysis; translate results into actionable design updates.

· Coordinate across design, manufacturing, test, launch site operations, and mission integration to ensure hardware is producible, testable, and operationally robust.

· Apply and review GD&T and drawing standards (ASME Y14.5, Y14.100, Y14.41) to ensure clear, manufacturable definition.

· Perform and document access studies, loss-of-clearance analyses, and configuration studies to support new missions and late-arising changes.

· Identify, prioritize, and implement improvements for operational efficiency, reliability growth, and cost reduction.

· Provide informal mentorship and technical guidance to level 1–2 engineers on methods, tools, and best practices.

· Communicate technical status, risks, and recommendations to peers and technical leadership.

Minimum Qualifications

· B.S. degree in engineering and typically 5–8+ years of related experience with aircraft, spacecraft, or launch vehicle structures (or equivalent combination of education and experience).

· Significant experience with structural design of metallic aerospace hardware, fluid systems, and/or structural composites and exposure to full lifecycle (requirements, design, analysis, build, test, integration).

· Hands-on experience with hardware in production or test environments (e.g., shop floor, integration, or field operations).

· Strong structural design skills using CAD (Creo/Windchill preferred), hand calculations, and FEA tools.

· Deep understanding of metallic design fundamentals, structural load paths, and bolted joint design/analysis.

· Proficiency with GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and familiarity with ASME Y14.100 and Y14.41.

· Demonstrated ability to drive tasks to completion, manage priorities, and resolve issues in cross-functional settings.

· Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting technical work and influencing decisions within a project team.

Preferred Qualifications

· Demonstrated impact in design for manufacturability, cost reduction, build time optimization, and design-for-reuse.

· Experience with hot and cryogenic structures and associated materials and analysis methods.

· Experience with rapid development and test-and-learn approaches for structural hardware.

· Proficiency with one or more industry-standard analysis tools: Ansys, Nastran, Optistruct, LS-Dyna, Hypermesh, Hypersizer, NASGRO, 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.

· Experience with systems engineering practices, configuration management, and quality processes 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 (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.

• 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 [email protected]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.