Mechanisms Engineer II — Opto-Mechanical Systems

Blue Origin; United States; On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Up to 20% travel

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Job summary

Blue Origin LLC is seeking a Mechanisms Engineer II to design and qualify precision gimbal assemblies and pointing mechanisms for the TeraWave optical terminal constellation. You will work under senior engineers to develop robust mechanisms and contribute to integration, testing, and documentation in a mentorship‑driven team.

The role emphasizes collaboration across engineering disciplines, mechanism performance modeling, and hands‑on to production transition, with expectations of travel up to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• 2+ years of experience in mechanisms design for space/high-reliability programs.
• Experience with precision gimbal assemblies or multi-axis pointing mechanisms.
• Experience with 3D CAD software (Creo/NX/SolidWorks) and FE analysis tools.
• Knowledge of GD&T, tolerance stack‑up, and interface control documentation.
• Familiarity with space qualification testing (vibration, shock, TVAC).
• Willingness to learn and collaborate in a mentorship‑driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop precision gimbal assemblies and pointing mechanisms for space optical terminals.
• Develop mechanism performance requirements, error budgets, and design margins.
• Perform trades and analyses for gimbal configurations (mass, stiffness, pointing accuracy, lifetime).
• Support qualification activities including component- and system-level testing.
• Create design documentation, analyses, and test procedures for review.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams for integration and interface control.
• Contribute to production transition with tolerance analysis and DFM/DFA.

Skills

Gimbal assemblies

Pointing mechanisms

Space mechanism design

Collaboration and mentoring

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Creo

NX

SolidWorks

ANSYS/NASTRAN/Comsol

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! Blue Origin is pioneering the future of space-based communications with TeraWave, a revolutionary satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This multi-orbit constellation will consist of optically interconnected satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO), providing enterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide. 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!

About the Role

The Emerging Systems business unit at Blue Origin is pioneering the future of space-based communications with TeraWave, a revolutionary satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This multi-orbit constellation will consist of 5,408 optically interconnected satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and 128 satellites in medium Earth orbit (MEO), providing enterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide.

Blue Origin's Emerging Systems is seeking a motivated Mechanisms Engineer II to support the design, analysis, and qualification of precision mechanical systems for the TeraWave constellation. In this role, you will work under the guidance of senior and principal engineers, contributing to gimbal assemblies, pointing mechanisms, and related hardware while building your expertise in space mechanism design. This is an excellent opportunity to grow your skills on challenging spaceflight hardware within a collaborative, mentorship-focused team.

Special Mentions

Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates.

Travel expectations: Up to 20% travel may be required for integration activities, launch campaigns, and customer/vendor meetings.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Support the design and development of precision gimbal assemblies and pointing mechanisms for space-based optical communications terminals, under the direction of senior engineers
• Assist in developing mechanism-level performance requirements, error budgets, and design margins across structural, thermal, and dynamic domains
• Perform design trade studies and analyses for gimbal configurations (mass, volume, stiffness, pointing accuracy, on-orbit lifetime) with guidance and review from senior staff
• Support mechanism qualification activities including component- and system-level testing in shock, vibration, and thermal vacuum environments
• Prepare mechanism design documentation, analysis reports, and test procedures for senior engineer review
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on mechanism integration, harness routing, and interface definition
• Apply mechanism design principles and analysis methods while developing your skills under the mentorship of senior and principal engineers
• Support production transition activities including tolerance analysis and DFM/DFA reviews

Examples of additional areas where you may contribute include:

• Motor and encoder selection for precision drive systems
• Bearing selection, preload analysis, and lubrication strategies for space mechanisms
• Mechanism-level FMEA and reliability analysis

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Automotive or related technical field
• 2+ years of experience in mechanisms design for space, aerospace, or high-reliability applications
• Exposure to the design or analysis of gimbal assemblies, multi-axis pointing mechanisms, or similar precision mechanical systems
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (e.g., Creo, NX, SolidWorks); exposure to finite element analysis tools (e.g., ANSYS, NASTRAN, Comsol)
• Foundational knowledge of mechanism kinematics, dynamics, and structural analysis
• Familiarity with space qualification testing concepts including vibration, shock, and thermal vacuum
• Familiarity with bearing systems, drive trains, or precision actuators
• Working knowledge of GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, and interface control documentation
• Awareness of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles
• Eagerness to learn and grow under mentorship, with strong collaboration and communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Automotive or related field
• Exposure to optical communications terminals or lasercom pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) systems
• Exposure to lubrication and tribology for space mechanisms (e.g., dry film, ionic liquid, oil-impregnated)
• Awareness of STOP (Structural-Thermal-Optical-Performance) analysis workflows
• Interest in transitioning precision mechanisms from development into production
• Exposure to statistical process control or production data analysis

Why Blue Origin

At Blue Origin, we are driven by our company motto, Gradatim Ferociter, meaning "Step by Step, Ferociously." We believe in methodical innovation to achieve our vision of enabling millions of people to live and work in space for the benefit of Earth. As a Mechanisms Engineer II for Opto-Mechanical Systems, you will grow your engineering skills alongside world-class teams, learn from experienced mentors, and contribute to revolutionary optical communication technologies for the TeraWave constellation — all while working on missions that will shape the future of space exploration and utilization.

Base Pay Range for:

• CA applicants is $99,201.00 - $138,880.35
• 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. 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. 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.

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