Propulsion Engineer III

BLUE ORIGIN • Seattle, WA

3d

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! The role is part of the In-Space Systems business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit. We are a team of collaborators, doers, and problem-solvers who are relentlessly committed to a culture of safety. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require dedication and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable space flight. Join us in lowering the cost of access to space and enabling Blue Origin’s vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth. You will join our propulsion integrated product team and drive the next generation of propulsion components within Blue Origin’s new Blue National Security business unit.

Requirements

• The candidate must have a B.S. Degree in mechanical, aerospace or civil engineering, or equivalent; a minimum of 7 years work experience including demonstrated experience in the following areas:
• Prior experience working with COPV’s and associated composite systems (composite overwrap and composite structure layups) in the aerospace industry
• Demonstrated ability to lead a coordinated product team to author and/or review component specifications, drawings, test plans/procedures, and technical reports within a configuration management control system.
• Prior experience supporting structural composite process development and production at internal and external suppliers
• Experience with the selection and management of propulsion component & test suppliers
• Experience or familiarity with the propellant tank development lifecycle
• Able & willing to travel to suppliers and various Blue Origin sites up to 25% time.
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships
• 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

• Experience working with propulsion components, including chemical and/or electrical thrusters, fluid control components (latch valves, service valves, check valves, regulators, flow controllers, pressure transducers, etc.), propellant & pressurant tanks, and/or COPV’s
• Experience developing the tooling and manufacturing practices needed to establish a COPV production work center.
• Knowledge of propulsion system design, sizing & the operational concepts that drive the tank performance requirements.
• Experience planning & leading test programs for materials, joints, components & full-scale tanks.
• Prior experience with a computer aided design tool, bill of materials management, creation and production release of piece part and assembly drawings.
• Prior experience with Jules, Windchill and Creo Parametric.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the responsible engineer for composite overwrap pressure vessel (COPV) propellant tank components used on BNS spacecraft
• Serve as a primary contributor to the development of internal & external composite overwrap and composite structure development and production processes
• Author and maintain flight propellant tank and associated fixturing & ground support equipment designs and drawings, iteratively improving those designs from concept to production.
• Lead flight and ground support equipment (GSE) design reviews and coordinate inputs from propulsion, structures, materials & process, test, and manufacturing engineering team members.
• Work closely with other propulsion team members through iterative design, build, test loops to ensure that designs account for product requirements and appropriate DFx (design for manufacturing/assembly/test/automation/etc.) considerations
• Lead and/or support the internal & external development, flight qualification & production of new & existing propulsion components (primarily COPV’s) for BNS spacecraft
• Develop & maintain propulsion component specifications, technical capabilities, flight qualification statuses, and performance analyses
• Author and/or review assembly & test procedures and work instructions for component fabrication, assembly & integration onto spacecraft
• Review component assembly and interface control drawings for technical adequacy
• Partner with a technical project manager to lead engineering team meetings to ensure team maintains project schedule
• Travel to partner & subcontractor facilities to guide & ensure technical progress on assigned components.
• Communicate the component development & production status to leadership
• Support the establishment & maintenance of propulsion component development roadmaps

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.

What This Job Offers

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