Engineer - Mechanical II

Blue Origin; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 99,201 - 138,880; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Blue Origin's Honeybee Robotics Exploration Systems division in Southern California seeks a Mechanical Engineer to design, analyze, and test spaceflight hardware for extreme environments. You will work with a multi-disciplinary team from concept to flight-ready hardware, including mechanisms, actuators, and deployable structures.

The role emphasizes hands-on prototyping, test planning, and rigorous quality and safety standards, with opportunities to contribute to NASA mission support and

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• Passion for hands-on problem solving and hardware integration and test.
• Ability to work independently on rapid development programs.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the entire design cycle of spaceflight mechanisms, including conceptual and detailed design, trade studies, structural analysis, development testing and qualification.
• Design and analyze mechanisms for first-of-their-kind exploration missions to extreme environments throughout the solar system.
• Generate technical documentation and vendor specifications for fabrication of custom parts.
• Hands-on assembly and test including environmental testing, shock, vibration and thermal.
• Ownership to identify roadblocks to technical progress and mitigate/avoid them.
• Review test data and recommend changes to products and/or processes.
• Apply technical expertise to problem solving throughout product lifecycle, including design review support and verification planning and execution, scheduling, etc.

Skills

Hands-on hardware integration

Independent work

Strong written and verbalcommunication

Education

B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Autodesk Inventor

ANSYS

Job description

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!

As a member of the Blue Origin family of companies, Honeybee Robotics has been at the forefront of robotics for over 40 years, establishing ourselves as pioneers in developing novel exploration systems for the most extreme planetary environments. At our Southern California location, we look to "Touch Life" by supporting planetary science, including every NASA Mars rover since Spirit and Opportunity. We aim to "Mine the Sky" through the development of practical In‑Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) solutions. We search for technically brilliant individuals in engineering, software, and support fields who take ownership of their work, enjoy collaborating in teams, and have a laser focus on the details that drive excellence.

Honeybee Robotics' Exploration Systems division is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to work with a multi‑disciplinary team in product design, build, and testing of unique robotic systems. In this role you will be interfacing with inter‑disciplinary project teams to develop mechanisms and structures for astrobiology and exploration missions to extreme environments across the solar system. This includes everything from sample acquisition systems for Saturn's moon Titan to robotic lunar rovers. You will be responsible for hardware design, part selection, analysis, hands‑on prototyping, and test planning and execution. In this role you'll interface with electrical design, test, systems, integration, and software engineering disciplines throughout the entire product lifecycle from R&D concept to flight‑ready hardware.

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!

Special Mentions

• This is an onsite role at our Altadena, CA office
• Relocation assistance is provided

Responsibilities

• Participate in the entire design cycle of spaceflight mechanisms, including conceptual and detailed design, trade studies, structural analysis, development testing and qualification
• Design and analyze mechanisms for first‑of‑their‑kind exploration missions to extreme environments throughout the solar system
• Generate technical documentation and vendor specifications for fabrication of custom parts
• Hands‑on assembly and test including environmental testing, shock, vibration and thermal
• Participate in subsystem level development testing including planning, execution, data reduction and analysis
• Ownership to identify roadblocks to technical progress and mitigate/avoid them
• Review test data and recommend changes to products and/or processes
• Apply technical expertise to problem solving throughout product lifecycle, including design review support and verification planning and execution, scheduling, etc.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of a B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or related field
• 2+ years of developing and testing complex hardware equipment through multiple stages of the product lifecycle
• Experience designing mechanisms that incorporate custom bearing, gear, motor, and sliding interface configurations
• Proficient with a variety of computer‑aided design and analysis tools
• Passion for hands‑on problem solving and hardware integration and test
• Ability to work independently on rapid development programs
• Experience designing mechanisms such as latches, actuators, linkages, hinges, disconnect devices, or similar kinematic assemblies
• Demonstrate a solid understanding of integrated system development across engineering disciplines
• Highly organized, safety and quality conscious, with excellent technical written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience designing aerospace or equivalent type mechanical system elements within aircraft, spacecraft, or launch vehicles
• Experience with rover, robotic arm, sample acquisition drill, or deployable structure development.
• Experience with spring design, preload calculations, and fastener analysis
• Experience with gear life analysis, motor selection, and bearing selection
• Cross‑functional experience across engineering disciplines including electrical, software, systems, or optics
• Familiarity with Autodesk Inventor (CAD) and ANSYS (analysis) software
• Proficiency in Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (ASME Y14.5) and performing tolerance stacks

Base Pay Range for: CA applicants is $99,201.00 - $138,880.35

Other site ranges may differ

Other site ranges may differ. The base pay range is used as a reference only and may vary by location, level and role.

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 [e-mail]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.