Lead Mechanical Engineer – Ground Support for Solar Arrays

Blue Origin LLC; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 121,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Education Support Program

Stock options

Paid Time Off

Parental leave

Disability insurance

Job summary

Blue Origin LLC is seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer to own the mechanical ground support equipment for large-format solar array programs. You will design fixtures, test stands, and GSE from concept through qualification, collaborating with manufacturing and mechanisms teams to ensure producibility and reliability.

You will apply GD&T, structural analysis, and data acquisition know-how to verify designs, while coordinating with suppliers for large-scale equipment and tooling.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years in mechanical design with tooling, fixtures, GSE, or ground handling equipment.
• Experience designing and building mechanical hardware with hands-on prototyping and testing.
• Ability to deliver fully commissioned machines, fixtures, structures, and test equipment from a clean sheet.
• Experience sizing, specifying, purchasing, and commissioning large-scale equipment with vendors.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD using Creo (or equivalent) and Windchill or PDM.
• Proficiency in GD&T per ASME Y14.5 and tolerance stackup analysis.
• Knowledge of structural analysis to size load-bearing members and load paths.
• Knowledge of basic data acquisition systems and sensors for mechanical test setups.
• Experience with machining, sheet metal fabrication, extrusion-based construction, and additive manufacturing.
• Experience writing manufacturing specifications and coordinating with machine shops.

Responsibilities

• Design, analyze, fabricate, and verify GSE for large-format solar array wings from prototype to qualification.
• Develop breakover/repositioning fixtures to handle solar wings without damaging PV assemblies.
• Design, build, and validate electro-mechanical test stands for spacecraft mechanisms testing.
• Collaborate with manufacturing to build early-stage assembly tooling for higher production rates.
• Create wing assembly fixtures, jigging, routing guides, and panel handling aids.
• Document designs with GD&T, interface drawings, and specs; ensure flight hardware compatibility.
• Lead gravity off-load system design, including dynamic load analysis and deployment simulation.
• Support TVAC test fixtures, transport containers, and vibration test interfaces as programs mature.

Skills

GSE design

3D CAD

GD&T

structural analysis

data acquisition

Education

Bachelor degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Creo

Windchill

PDM

Job description

Blue Origin LLC is seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer to own the mechanical ground support equipment for large-format solar array programs. You will design fixtures, test stands, and GSE from concept through qualification, collaborating with manufacturing and mechanisms teams to ensure producibility and reliability.

You will apply GD&T, structural analysis, and data acquisition know-how to verify designs, while coordinating with suppliers for large-scale equipment and tooling.