Sr. Propulsion Engineer, Blue Thrusters Valves

Application close date:

At Blue Origin we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. Were 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!

About the Role

As a Senior Propulsion Engineer on the Blue Thrusters team you will serve in a technical leadership capacity over a product line of flight-critical valve hardware including direct acting solenoid and pneumatically piloted valves. You will be the go-to technical authority for your product linedriving the tools processes and standards that govern how we design build and test these systems. You will guide engineers from initial requirements definition through qualification and into production working closely with cross-functional teams to ensure every valve we deliver meets the highest standards of performance and reliability.

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!

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead and subject matter expert for the Blue Thrusters Valve product line encompassing direct acting solenoid and pneumatically piloted valve designs
• Mentor valve responsible engineers developing their expertise in design manufacturing and test
• Develop establish and maintain team-wide design build and test tools processes and standards to ensure consistency quality and efficiency across the product line
• Perform and review fluid structural and electromagnetic analysis for definition and validation of requirements across pressure temperature electrical and dynamic environments. Document these processes and results to build a technical basis for use among engineers.
• Define and implement margin strategies to ensure products meet requirements without excessive cost and mass impacts
• Collaborate with systems propulsion electrical and software engineers to define interfaces refine requirements and integrate valve hardware into broader thruster systems
• Lead design reviews provide technical mentorship to junior engineers and contribute to a culture of engineering excellence and continuous improvement
• Engage with suppliers to drive component development ensure quality and resolve technical issues throughout the supply chain
• Support fabrication assembly and testing of development and flight hardware; review and disposition non-conforming hardware with sound engineering judgment
• Author and review technical reports qualification packages test plans and engineering specifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering Aerospace Engineering or a related field
• 8 years of industry experience designing and developing fluid control hardware with demonstrated expertise in valve design for aerospace or high-reliability applications
• Hands-on experience with both electromechanical (solenoid) and pneumatically actuated valve designs
• Strong technical fundamentals in fluid mechanics thermodynamics mechanical design electromagnetic design and structural mechanics
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (Creo preferred) and experience creating engineering drawings with GD&T per ASME Y14.5 standards
• Demonstrated experience with hardware fabrication integration processes and quality control
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a demonstrated ability to lead technical discussions across a wide variety of stakeholders build cross-functional alignment and mentor peers
• 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

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering Aerospace Engineering or a related field
• Experience establishing or improving team-level design standards processes or toolsets in a valve or fluid systems engineering environment
• Familiarity with analytical tools such as ANSYS COMSOL AFT Fathom/Arrow or similar FEA/CFD/fluid modeling packages
• Experience with propellant control valves for liquid rocket engines or thruster systems including exposure to propellants such as Oxygen Hydrogen Methane MMH and NTO
• Experience with full valve development lifecycle: design development qualification acceptance and production
• Experience collaborating with electrical and software engineers on closed-loop control systems or valve drive electronics
• Familiarity with leak testing proof/burst testing vibration shock thermal and functional test methodologies for fluid control hardware
• Experience with Windchill or similar PDM/PLM systems

Base Pay Range for:

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

Dont 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 youre excited about this role but your past experience doesnt 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 a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blues 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 10001 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 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 companys intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the companys results or other factors at the companys 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 Origins Affirmative Action Plans or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process please contact us at. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.