Design Engineer III, Structural/Mechanical GSE

BLUE ORIGIN • Van Horn, TX

1d • $121,023 - $169,432 • Onsite

About The Position

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 the Blue Origin Engines business unit, where our focus is the design, development, manufacturing, and testing of engines and propulsion systems. Built for multiple uses, our family of engines is powering the next generation of rockets for commercial, civil, national security, and human spaceflight. As a member of a small, high-performing structural design team within Engines Advanced Programs, you'll join a group of problem solvers who own the entire development process from concept to commissioning. You will design, analyze, build, and commission critical equipment that enables operations, working directly with end users to understand their needs and deliver robust technical solutions. Our team is the backbone of operational infrastructure for our program. We design essential support hardware including test stands, towers, lift fixtures, pipe supports, specialized assembly tooling, transporters, maintenance platforms, and dolly systems. We routinely design and analyze steel and aluminum structures, and we deliver mechanical systems that may include hydraulic, pneumatic, or other energized subsystems. In this role, you'll own full design cycles with minimal oversight — taking project objectives and stakeholder needs through concept, detailed design, structural analysis, drawing release, build, and commissioning. You'll partner directly with engineers across multiple disciplines, technicians, and fabricators to understand needs and constraints before crafting solutions that balance safety, functionality, and manufacturability. We maintain unwavering standards for safety while developing practical, efficient designs that meet program needs. We're looking for an engineer with established design and analysis expertise, strong drawing and modeling proficiency, and a genuine doer mindset — someone eager to put boots on the ground, stand behind their designs, and ensure successful implementation. If you enjoy seeing your ideas transform from CAD models to field-ready hardware, this position offers the right blend of design ownership and hands-on engineering.

Requirements

• B.S. degree in mechanical, civil, or aerospace engineering or related discipline from an accredited institution
• 3-7 years of experience designing and developing structural and/or mechanical tooling, or industrial equipment through the product life cycle
• Demonstrated ability to own a design from concept through commissioning with minimal oversight
• Advanced experience using CAD and FEA software (Creo/NX and ANSYS preferred)
• Strong drawing and modeling proficiency, including detail and assembly drawings with GD&T (ASME Y14.5)
• Experience designing and analyzing steel and aluminum welded structures
• Familiarity with industry codes and standards for structural equipment and tooling (e.g., ASME B30.20/BTH-1, OSHA, AISC-360, ASCE-7, Aluminum Design Manual)
• Practical knowledge of manufacturing processes (milling, turning, cutting, welding) and ability to design for fabrication
• Strong organization skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects
• Willingness to travel up to 20% to support hardware installation, troubleshooting, testing, and vendor support
• Must be a 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.

Nice To Haves

• M.S. degree in mechanical, civil, or aerospace engineering
• Hands-on experience constructing or repairing mechanical components and systems, acquired through personal pursuits or professional experience
• Experience designing structural equipment/tooling for aerospace, propulsion, or other heavy industrial applications
• Experience designing and analyzing hydraulic and pneumatic mechanical systems
• Working knowledge of mechanical components beyond basic structures (motors, actuators, linear rails, bearings)
• Fundamental understanding of ASME B31.3 for Process Piping
• Proficiency in tolerance stack-up analysis
• Experience leading cross-discipline design reviews and verification processes
• Experience with PDM/PLM version control systems

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end design development of structures and tooling, from product definition through operational handover
• Create detailed designs and bills of materials through 3D CAD models and 2D drawing packages to industry standards (ASME Y14.5)
• Perform structural and mechanical analysis using FEA software and hand calculations; author analysis reports describing load cases, factors of safety, and margins
• Contribute to system safety analyses such as Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA), Hazard and Operability Studies (HAZOP), Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), and similar
• Develop and present technical design reviews for assigned projects
• Define hardware testing scope and configurations, including non-destructive evaluation, proof testing, operational testing, and weld inspection
• Develop activation and commissioning plans, and lead installation and commissioning activities in the field
• Maintain design authority throughout fabrication, working closely with vendors and manufacturing teams, resolving technical issues during field integration
• Serve as technical point of contact for assigned projects across various lifecycle phases
• Provide schedule, hours, and budget input to leadership; manage your own project scope and timelines to deliver on program needs

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level