Principal Mechanical Design Engineer - New Glenn

Blue Origin; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 237,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a senior engineer to lead actuation and moving mechanical systems for the New Glenn program. You will define requirements, interfaces, and support the full lifecycle from concept through qualification, working with cross-functional teams to deliver flight-critical hardware.

The role emphasizes leadership, reliability, and hands-on verification, with a focus on servo EMA and pneumatic devices. A passion for safe human spaceflight and mission success is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related field.
• 12+ years of proven experience designing fluid, mechanical, or electro-mechanical systems for aerospace or similar high-reliability applications.
• Lead Engineer/Responsible Engineer or Technical Authority for delivered flight hardware.
• Expertise in actuation technologies, including servo EMA and pneumatic separation devices.
• Experience leading RCCA/FRB investigations and qualification test campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead and design authority for flight-critical actuator and moving mechanical assemblies throughout the full product lifecycle.
• Architect and analyze complex actuator mechanisms including actuation method, sizing, material selection, bearing/seal design, and structural design.
• Lead multidisciplinary team through fabrication, installation, and testing of flight hardware with suppliers.
• Drive integrated project delivery with technical baselines, schedules, verification matrices, and risk burndown plans.
• Lead anomaly investigations and RCCA for test and flight hardware failures.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers and define design standards and qualification methodologies.

Skills

Actuation technologies

Servo EMA

Pneumatic devices

RCCA/FRB investigations

Leadership

Manufacturing support

Vendor/supplier management

3D CAD Creo

FEA ANSYS

GD&T ASME Y14.5

Design standards & reviews

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Creo

ANSYS

Job description

This role supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a single-configuration, heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to low-Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar, and beyond. Its first stage is fully reusable, and the vehicle was designed from the beginning to be human-capable.

Join a dedicated team of engineers at Blue Origin, where you will lead the design, analysis, development, and qualification of next-generation components for the New Glenn Rocket. Your work will focus on critical systems, including actuators, mechanisms, valves, regulators, accumulators, pumps, and other mechanical devices essential to our vehicles and mission success. At Blue Origin, you’ll apply your technical expertise and leadership to shape the future of space exploration. This role offers the opportunity to make a tangible impact on the New Glenn Rocket program, working alongside a talented team committed to innovation, quality, and mission success.

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!

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead anddesignauthorityfor flight-critical actuator and moving mechanical assemblies throughout the full product lifecycle, from defining requirements and interfaces through conceptual and detailed design, development, assembly, verification, qualification testing, operation, manufacturing support, and post-flight serviceability.
• Architect and analyze complex actuator mechanisms, including actuation method, sizing, material selection, bearing/seal design,and structural design to ensure static and dynamic performance under environments and loads.
• Lead multidisciplinary team throughfabrication, installation, and testing of flight hardware, working closely with suppliers and support organizations
• Drive integrated project delivery, defining the technical baseline, milestone schedules, verification matrices, and risk burndown plans.
• Lead anomaly investigations, MRB disposition, and RCCAfor test and flight hardware failures.
• Mentor and develop junior and mid-level engineers, fostering a culture of technical rigor, safety, and operational excellence.Define design standards, review checklists, and qualification methodologiesfor the actuator engineering group.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related field.
• 12+ years of proven experience designing fluid, mechanical, or electro-mechanical systems for aerospace or similar high-reliability applications.
• Proven track record serving as a Lead Engineer, Responsible Engineer (RE), or Technical Authority for delivered flight hardware.
• Deep expertise in actuation technologies, including servo EMA (electromechanical actuators) and pneumatic separation devices.
• Demonstrated experience leading root-cause failure investigations (RCCA/FRB) and qualification test campaigns (vibration, thermal vacuum, life cycle, proof/burst).
• Advanced proficiency in 3D CAD software (Creo preferred), Finite Element Analysis (FEA) tools (ANSYS preferred), and engineering drawings with GD&T per ASME Y14.5 standards.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a track record of building trust and fostering professional collaboration.
• Passion for advancing safe human spaceflight and alignment with Blue Origin’s mission.
• Experience with rapid development techniques for hardware.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related field.
• Experience in the aerospace or space industry, particularly with launch vehicles or ground systems.
• Deep understanding of fabrication, integration, and quality control for tubes, machined parts, and welded assemblies.
• Expertise in designing electrified actuation systems.
• Knowledge of materials properties, treatments, and aerospace-grade materials.
• Demonstrated ability to manage supplier relationships, drive component development, and support testing.

Base Pay Range for

WA applicants is $169,624.00 - $237,473.25
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 Affine