Fuel Cell Mechanical Design Engineer II - Lunar Permanence

Blue Origin LLC; Seattle, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 91,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Stock options

Paid time off

Parental leave

Education support

Job summary

Blue Origin LLC is seeking an aerospace engineer to own the complete life cycle of fluid-handling, thermal, mechanical, and structural components for the lunar fuel cell assembly. You will drive requirements, interface with subsystems, and guide development through testing and qualification.

The role emphasizes leadership, technical excellence, and mentorship within a fast-paced spaceflight program, with collaboration across multiple domains to advance the Lunar Permanence missions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree and 2+ years in aerospace or related industry; design and analysis experience.
• Proficient with 3D CAD modeling and product lifecycle management systems.
• Experience with GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and P&IDs.
• Knowledge of fluid and thermal hardware in aerospace systems.
• Experience with aerospace materials and treatments.
• Ability to perform hand calculations and apply aerospace systems engineering methods.
• Strong communication and teamwork in fast-paced environments.
• Willingness to learn through training and mentorship.

Responsibilities

• Design fluid-handling, thermal, mechanical, and secondary structure components within the integrated fuel cell assembly.
• Participate in requirements definition and design decisions balancing cost, schedule, and risk.
• Utilize CAD tools and analyses (structural, thermal, CFD).
• Collaborate with vehicle subsystems and document components and assemblies.
• Work with suppliers to identify, procure components and manage flight hardware.
• Create test plans and manage development testing and qualification of components.
• Communicate development status, risks, and challenges to management.
• Mentor junior engineers and document technical memos with clear visuals.

Skills

Aerospace experience

3D CAD

GD&T

P&IDs

Fluid systems

Thermal systems

Systems engineering

Materials knowledge

Communication skills

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical/Aerospace/Physics or related

Master of Science in Mechanical/Aerospace/Physics or related

Tools

Creo

Windchill PLM

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! 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. As part of a small, hard-working, and accomplished team of experts, you will be responsible for the complete life cycle of fluid-handling, thermal, mechanical, and structural components within the integrated fuel cell assembly from concept definition, interfaces, conceptual design, detailed design, component development, assembly, verification, and operation on the Moon. As part of the Lunar Fuel Cell team, you may work on multiple programs at different stages of maturity to support all fuel cell power system needs in the Lunar Permanence business unit. We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, natural leadership and interpersonal skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact the aggressive missions at Blue Origin. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Responsibilities

• Design fluid-handling, thermal, mechanical, and secondary structure components within the integrated fuel cell assembly.
• Participate in requirements definition and design decisions to meet mission objectives while balancing cost, schedule, and risk.
• Utilize current CAD practices and tools, including structural, thermal, and CFD analyses.
• Collaborate with other vehicle subsystems to ensure thorough and accurate documentation of components and assemblies.
• Work with suppliers and Blue Origin groups to identify and procure components.
• Manage suppliers to procure, fabricate, and install flight hardware.
• Create test plans and manage development testing and qualification of components; execute tests to plan.
• Effectively communicate development status, risks, and challenges to management.
• Work in a fast-paced and often uncertain environment, contributing to innovative solutions while demonstrating personal leadership, technical competence, and attention to detail.
• Actively seek out and participate in mentorship opportunities with experienced engineers on the team.
• Write cogent and succinct technical memos and devise innovative, intuitive, and delightful ways to visualize quantitative information.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related technical field
• 2+ years of relevant experience (including internships) in the aerospace or related industry
• Experience with 3D CAD modeling and product lifecycle management systems
• Experience with GD&T (ASME Y14.5)
• Experience interpreting and generating Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs)
• Knowledge of fluid system hardware including valves, regulators, and pumps for gaseous fluid systems
• Knowledge of thermal system hardware such as pumps, cold plates, radiators, valves, heat exchangers, and semi-passive devices like sensors and heaters
• Experience implementing basic principles, performing hand calculations, and applying methods of aerospace systems engineering
• Familiarity with typical aerospace materials and treatments
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment
• Excellent verbal, written, and graphical communication skills
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion
• Willingness to learn from a mixture of training, hands-on experience, and mentorship

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related technical field
• 3+ years of relevant experience in the aerospace or related industry
• Understanding of fuel cell stacks and balance of plant components
• Working knowledge of Creo and Windchill PLM or equivalent CAD programs
• Familiarity with standard fabrication, installation, and quality control techniques for piping systems (tube stock, fittings, connections, fasteners, welding, etc.)
• Experience performing the structural, thermal, and fluid design and analysis of piping and tubing systems
• Experience with aerospace industry standard structural analysis methods (Bruhn, Marks’, Shigley)
• Experience with Thermal Desktop, ANSYS, Sinda/Fluint, including model validation and test correlation
• Collegiate or internship experience with fuel cells or balance of plant components
• Experience creating fabrication and installation drawings with Creo or equivalent
• Experience with Agile project management or equivalent methodologies

Base Pay Range for: CO applicants is $90,934.00 - $127,307.25 WA applicants is $99,201.00 - $138,880.35 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, 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

• 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.

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.

We’re committed to building the road to space so our children can build the future. We are a mission-driven company focused on ideas and innovation, and encourage fresh perspectives from bold voices. At Blue, our team is building the future as their unique selves. Thank you for your interest in working at Blue Origin! Blue Origin was founded with a vision to enable a future where millions of people are living and working in space to benefit Earth. In order to preserve Earth, Blue Origin believes in the need to enable humanity to expand, explore, find new energy and material resources, and move industries that stress Earth into space. Blue Origin believes it has an important role in building a road to space and lowering the cost of getting there. At Blue Origin, we’re working on this today by developing fully reusable launch vehicles and systems that are safe, reliable and affordable. Every launch vehicle is designed for human spaceflight from the beginning and able to ferry payloads to space.