Propulsion Engineer - III, BE-3U Engines Turbomachinery

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.

Come join our BE-3U team in Huntsville, AL, the Rocket City, where you can be part of a team of hardworking turbomachinery engineers helping to pave the way for future spaceflight. 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 your commitment and detailed attention toward safe and repeatable spaceflight. 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. Feel these engines come to life only minutes away from our production and engineering facility in Research Park, where you can help design, fabricate, and assemble them!

We are seeking a self-motivated and highly organized individual who can work with minimal direction to successfully execute engineering and manufacturing upgrade activities. This position will have a measurable effect on Blue’s upper stage engine performance and directly impact the history of space exploration.

Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To:

• Design and Development: Lead the hands-on design, development, production, assembly, and testing of turbomachinery components.
• Engineering Documentation: Apply mechanical design fundamentals to create and improve engineering drawings, specifications, processes, and design manuals to address product and process requests.
• Lifecycle Management: Own turbomachinery component hardware across the entire product lifecycle, from ore to orbit, to enhance capability and reliability for our launch vehicles and expand access to space.
• Material Review: Conduct material reviews and provide engineering dispositions for non-conforming hardware identified during the manufacturing and assembly process.
• Root Cause Analysis: Perform root cause analysis to develop corrective actions that support continuous improvement initiatives, including product and process optimization, cost reduction, rework minimization, scrap reduction, and other quality objectives.
• Specification and Configuration Ownership: Drive improvements in product efficiency, speed, and cost-effectiveness by owning design engineering specifications and participating in test data reviews. Independently create, maintain, and track as-designed, as-built, and as-tested hardware configurations, and lead the associated processes.
• Mentorship and Collaboration: Guide and mentor design and manufacturing teammates in a highly collaborative environment.

We are looking for someone to apply their leadership, technical knowledge and dedication to enable the development and production of rocket engines to enable the mission of millions of people living and working in space.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of a B.S. degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering.
• 5+ years proven track record in design, development, production, manufacturing, and/or assembly of turbomachinery components.
• Solid understanding of first principles of rotating machinery component mechanical design, including turbines, impellers, housings, seals and bearings.
• Working knowledge of ASME Y14.5 standards and GD&T associated with complex rotating assemblies.
• Working knowledge of aerospace materials & treatments.
• Working knowledge of hardware fabrication & assembly processes.
• Proficiency in data analysis and post-processing to assess component health.
• Ability to effectively lead anomaly investigations and collaborate with multi-disciplinary and cross-functional teams.
• Possess high attention to detail and strong organizational/coordination skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Desired:

• M.S. degree in engineering.
• Experience with quality management systems supporting aerospace and propulsion-related hardware.
• Experience transitioning products from development to production.
• Experience with continuous improvement and Kaizen.
• Experience with turbopump production, qualification testing and flight operations.
• Working knowledge of configuration management principles and practices.
• Ability to effectively lead multi-functional teams in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with turbomachinery specific to rocket engine applications.
• Experience with cryogenic fluids and oxygen compatibility.
• Experience in Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA).
• Experience with automation.
• Experience with leveraging Artificial Intelligence.

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.
• Discretionary bonus: Bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results.
• Eligibility for benefits varies by role type, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role.

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.

California Applicant Privacy Notice

If you are a California resident, please reference the CA Applicant Privacy Notice here.