Mechanisms Engineer III — Opto-Mechanical Systems

Blue Origin; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 111,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Travel up to 20%

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a Mechanisms Engineer III to own end-to-end design of precision gimbal assemblies for the TeraWave optical terminals. You will work closely with senior engineers, drive mechanism performance requirements, and lead qualification activities across mechanical, thermal, and dynamic domains.

Qualified candidates will have 5+ years in space-grade mechanisms, strong 3D CAD and FEA skills, and a self-directed work style.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Mechanical/Aerospace/Automotive or related field.
• 5+ years of precision mechanisms design for space/high-reliability.
• Ability to independently own design, analysis and qualification of gimbals/mechanisms.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop precision gimbal assemblies for space optical terminals.
• Define performance requirements, error budgets, and design margins.
• Plan and execute mechanism qualification in shock, vibration, and thermal vacuum.
• Prepare design docs, analyses, and test procedures; support hardware builds.

Skills

Gimbal design

Autonomy

Problem solving

Precision alignment

Self-directed work style

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace/Automotive engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

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.

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 driven Mechanisms Engineer III to join a small, fast-moving team developing precision mechanical systems for the TeraWave constellation. On a lean team, you will personally own significant mechanism design scope end-to-end — from concept through qualification — with a high degree of autonomy and accountability for your hardware. You will work shoulder-to-shoulder with senior and principal engineers, but you will be the directly responsible engineer for the mechanisms you take on.

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 include but are not limited to:

• Own the design and development of precision gimbal assemblies and pointing mechanisms for space-based optical communications terminals, from concept through flight qualification
• Develop and be accountable for mechanism-level performance requirements, error budgets, and design margins across structural, thermal, and dynamic domains
• Drive design trades for gimbal configurations, balancing mass, volume, stiffness, pointing accuracy, and on-orbit lifetime, and defend your recommendations in design reviews
• Plan and execute mechanism qualification including component- and system-level testing in shock, vibration, and thermal vacuum environments, and own the resulting data and corrective actions
• Author and maintain mechanism design documentation, analysis reports, and test procedures supporting hardware build and test
• Coordinate directly with cross-functional partners on mechanism integration, harness routing, and interface definition — acting as the point of contact for your hardware
• Partner with senior and principal engineers on the toughest technical problems, escalating risks early and proposing solutions
• Support production transition through tolerance analysis, DFM/DFA improvements, and direct supplier engagement

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
• 5+ years of experience in precision mechanisms design for space, aerospace, or high-reliability applications
• Demonstrated ability to independently own the design, analysis, and qualification of gimbal assemblies, multi-axis pointing mechanisms, or similar precision mechanical systems
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (e.g., Creo, NX, SolidWorks) and finite element analysis tools (e.g., ANSYS, NASTRAN, Comsol)
• Working knowledge of mechanism kinematics, dynamics, and structural analysis
• Hands-on experience with space qualification testing including vibration, shock, and thermal vacuum
• Experience with bearing systems, drive trains, or precision actuators for space mechanisms
• Solid understanding of GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, and interface control documentation
• Familiarity with Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles
• Self-directed work style with a strong sense of ownership and the ability to thrive with minimal oversight on a small team

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Automotive or related field
• Experience with 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)
• Familiarity with STOP (Structural-Thermal-Optical-Performance) analysis workflows
• Experience supporting transition of precision mechanisms from development into production
• Exposure to statistical process control or production data analysis for mechanism performance verification

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 III on a small, high-ownership Opto-Mechanical Systems team, you will have outsized impact and direct accountability for hardware that will fly on the TeraWave constellation. You'll work alongside world-class engineers on challenging problems, have access to state-of-the-art facilities, and see your designs through from sketch to orbit.

Base Pay Range For

CA applicants is $121,023.00 - $169,432.20
CO applicants is $110,938.00 - $155,312.85
WA applicants is $121,023.00 - $169,432.20

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

• 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.