Senior Structural Analyst – Lunar Permanence

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 Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin’s Blue Moon landers and related products. To further Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.

We are actively seeking a highly experienced Principal Structural Analyst to play a pivotal role in our ambitious Zero Boil Off (ZBO) cryocooler program, focused on pushing the boundaries of aerospace technology. As part of a small, passionate, mission driven, and accomplished team of experts, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, qualify, and integrate ZBO’s cryocooler technology onto launch vehicles and/or payloads. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 15 years of experience designing, analyzing, qualifying, and launching flight hardware. Additionally, the candidate should be technically ambitious, have grit, and a proven track record of developing processes for new technology. This position is based in Kent, WA.

Special Mentions:

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 15% of the time
• Interviews will include a technical assessment

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop, execute, and manage structural analyses, reports, and qual test plans of flight hardware
• Lead and mentor engineers and insist on the highest standards
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary groups across programs and earn the trust of others
• Evaluate and refine designs to ensure performance, reliability, and cost effectiveness
• Conduct static and dynamic finite element analysis to determine stress, deformation, and fatigue characteristics
• Evaluate and recommend materials and manufacturing processes for structural components
• Support the design, manufacturing, assembly, testing, and qualification of new flight hardware
• Participate in anomaly resolution and failure investigation efforts
• Review and approve designs, changes, and risk assessments/mitigations
• Lead technical presentations and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders
• Ensure compliance with company, industry, and regulatory requirements and standards

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in analysis and design
• Expert knowledge of finite element analysis, structural dynamics, thermal environments, and problem solving skills
• Strong technical knowledge of complex vehicle packaging systems, including pressure vessels, thermal isolation, vibration isolation, and structural supports required to sustain environmental loads
• Experience in specifying launch or space vehicle testing requirements of low/high cycle fatigue, fracture, creep, shock, and vibration response tests
• Experience developing Maximum Predicted Environments (MPEs) for space vehicle components
• Experience with component sensitivity analysis to random vibration and shock environments
• Experience managing technical reporting, requirements, verifications, and certification documents
• Experience leading complex aerospace development programs through the complete lifecycle from initial design and requirements definition to successful flight operations and mission completion
• Proficient in simulation tools (such as ANSYS or NASTRAN) and CAD software (such as CREO, NX, Catia)
• Experience with industry and regulatory requirements such as NASA-STD-5020, ANSI/AIAA S-080A-2018, JSC 65829, SMC-S-016
• Experience setting technical direction for complex systems, including conducting trade studies and system optimization analyses to evaluate low, medium, and high-performance technical architecture options
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters or PhD in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering or related field
• Successfully designed, analyzed, qualified, and launched space vehicle hardware (including valves, turbomachinery, heat exchangers, and pressure vessels)
• Knowledge and familiarity with fatigue and fracture mechanics
• Experience in executing launch or space vehicle testing, including low/high cycle fatigue, fracture, creep, shock, and vibration response tests
• Experience interpreting and applying SMC-S-016 vibration environments to large system models
• Experience with analyzing pneumatic/cryogenic pressure systems - including fluid fittings, flexible elements, welded tubing, weight critical pressure vessels, and separation critical fastened joints
• Experience in resolving anomalies, conducting root cause analyses, presenting/dispositioning high value mission critical engineering significant non-conformances
• Experience chairing at decision making meetings

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $145,188.00 - $203,263.20

Other site ranges may differ

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.