Mechanical Engineer Senior - Marine Fluid System Design

BLUE ORIGIN • Friendship, ME

2d

About The Position

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 Blue Origin Operations, which is comprised of Integrated Supply Chain, Test Operations, Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance. This includes Manufacturing and Supply Chain support across all Blue Origin facilities. As part of a hardworking team of specialists, technicians, and engineers (use as appropriate), you will be part of a Blue Origin team responsible for constructing a new class of marine vessel purpose-built for one of the most ambitious missions in the history of spaceflight: the at-sea recovery and return of orbital-class rocket boosters. Recovering an orbital-class first stage at sea demands more than a conventional ship — it requires purpose-designed fluid systems capable of generating, storing, and delivering gaseous nitrogen (GN2) for booster safing and inerting operations in a dynamic offshore environment. The cryogenic and pneumatic systems aboard this vessel will be unlike anything that has gone to sea before, and we need a senior fluids engineer to own them. As part of a dedicated, cross-functional team — working alongside the Senior Marine Electrical Engineer, the Technical Lead (Analyst / Naval Architect), the Marine I&C Engineer, the Marine Fluids Engineer, a team of Project Construction Managers — you will own the design, analysis, testing, and implementation of cryogenic, pneumatic, and fluid systems for Blue Origin's marine recovery vessels, including a purpose-built new construction vessel. Your scope will include nitrogen generation and distribution systems, high-pressure pneumatic systems, cryogenic storage and vaporization equipment, marine piping systems, thermal management, environmental control systems, and recovery-specific fluid interfaces. You will define fluid system architecture, develop piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), perform system analyses, oversee fabrication and installation at shipyard locations, and lead commissioning and acceptance testing through vessel delivery. In this role, you will provide technical mentorship and direction to the Marine Fluids Engineer and coordinate closely with the Marine I&C Engineer on instrumentation and control interfaces for fluid systems. This is a rare opportunity to design and commission the cryogenic and fluid systems of a vessel that will bring rockets home from the ocean. We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Requirements

• Minimum of a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Marine Engineering, or equivalent
• 10+ years of experience in fluids system design, analysis, and engineering with direct experience in cryogenic systems or high-pressure pneumatic systems
• Experience understanding and developing fabrication and installation drawings for piping and fluid systems
• Knowledge of standard components, installation, and fabrication methods of piping systems (pipe stock, fittings, connections, valves, fasteners, structural members, welding, etc.)
• Experience using analysis tools specific to piping and fluid systems (e.g., AFT Fathom/Arrow, CAEPipe, Bentley AutoPipe, CAESAR II, Sinda Fluint, Simulink, or equivalent)
• Knowledge of typical use, constraints, and specification of fluid components in tubing and piping systems (valves, regulators, pumps, heat exchangers, pressure vessels, etc.)
• Experience with design, operations, or maintenance of cryogenic systems
• Strong safety mindset and experience, including hands-on experience planning and conducting hazardous operations involving cryogenic fluids or high-pressure systems
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical work and mentor less experienced engineers
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with teams composed of multiple roles and disciplines to achieve a common goal
• Ability to work at shipyard locations for extended periods and in physically demanding environments
• Ability to travel (estimated 40–60% during construction phase)

Nice To Haves

• Experience with nitrogen generation systems (PSA, membrane, or cryogenic air separation) and GN2 distribution system design
• Hands-on experience operating and troubleshooting cryogenic and/or high-pressure pneumatic systems
• Experience with creating process hazard analyses, job hazard analyses, and formal risk evaluations
• Knowledge of ASME B31.1 (Power Piping) and ASME B31.3 (Process Piping)
• Knowledge of ASME Section VIII (Pressure Vessels)
• Knowledge of marine environment corrosion mitigation including material selection and coatings
• Knowledge of precision cleaning processes, cleanliness levels, and passivation of stainless steel
• Familiarity with ABS rules for piping systems and pressure vessels on marine vessels
• Familiarity with USCG CFR requirements for marine piping and fluid systems
• Experience with marine HVAC, ballast, or fuel oil system design
• Experience with design and operation of aerospace fuel, oxidizer, and high-pressure pneumatic systems
• Familiarity with test equipment such as multimeters, dew point meters, vacuum equipment, and regulator panels
• System safety analysis experience including Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA), Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), and Functional Hazard Analysis (FHA)
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or relevant professional certification
• Master's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical, or Marine Engineering
• Travel
• Ability to relocate to Cape Canaveral, Florida

Responsibilities

• Own the design, analysis, and engineering of cryogenic, pneumatic, and fluid systems for new vessel construction and fleet sustainment, including nitrogen generation and GN2 distribution systems
• Develop and maintain piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), process flow diagrams (PFDs), and system schematics for marine fluid systems
• Perform fluid system analyses including pipe sizing, pressure drop calculations, thermal analysis, flow modeling, and system transient simulations using relevant engineering tools
• Define system architecture and develop technical specifications for cryogenic storage, vaporization, and distribution equipment suited for marine environments
• Develop and validate models of fluid systems using relevant software tools (e.g., AFT Fathom/Arrow, Sinda Fluint, Simulink, MATLAB, or equivalent)
• Design and specify marine piping systems in accordance with ASME B31.1, ASME B31.3, ABS Rules, USCG CFRs, and other applicable marine standards
• Specify fluid system components including valves, regulators, pumps, heat exchangers, pressure vessels, cryogenic storage dewars, vaporizers, and nitrogen generators for marine service
• Develop fabrication and installation drawings, assembly details, and bill of materials for piping and fluid system installations
• Oversee shipyard fabrication and installation of piping and fluid systems, conducting in-process inspections and redline reviews for as-built documentation
• Lead hydrostatic testing, pneumatic testing, leak testing, and system commissioning for marine fluid systems
• Coordinate with the Senior Marine Electrical Engineer on electrical power requirements and motor control interfaces for fluid system equipment (pumps, compressors, vaporizers, etc.)
• Coordinate with the Marine I&C Engineer on instrumentation requirements, control logic, and automation interfaces for cryogenic and pneumatic systems
• Coordinate with the Technical Lead (Analyst / Naval Architect) on fluid system classification compliance, weight and stability impacts, and vessel arrangement considerations
• Coordinate with the Recovery Offshore Operations Engineer on recovery-specific fluid system interfaces and operational requirements for booster safing and inerting
• Support the Project Construction Managers with technical guidance on piping installation sequences, fluid system fit-checks, and quality verification at the shipyard
• Provide technical mentorship and direction to the Marine Fluids Engineer
• Develop preventive maintenance plans and procedures for cryogenic and fluid systems
• Create process hazard analyses, job hazard analyses, and formal risk evaluations for fluid system operations
• Ensure designs comply with safety standards, regulatory requirements, and classification society rules
• Participate in design reviews and provide technical input for continuous improvement
• Prepare technical documentation and present findings to stakeholders and senior management
• Maintain configuration control of fluid system engineering documentation

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.

What This Job Offers

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