Propulsion Engineer II, Thermal Systems

Blue Origin LLC; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 99,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid parental leave

Stock options

Education support program

Job summary

Blue Origin Engines is seeking an engineer to lead the design, development, and testing of heat exchangers and thermal-fluid systems for aerospace propulsion. You will define cores, headers, manifolds, and assemblies while balancing thermal performance, pressure drop, mass, and manufacturability.

The role requires a Mechanical Engineering degree with 2+ years of experience, familiarity with heat transfer fundamentals, and CAD/CFD/FEA proficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field required.
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant industry experience.
• Solid understanding of heat transfer, thermodynamics, and materials science.
• Familiarity with ASME BPVC, TEMA, API standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and testing of heat exchangers and thermal-fluid systems.
• Develop system requirements and design documentation.
• Create engineering drawings and CAD models with GD&T per ASME Y14.5.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and QA for producibility.
• Interface with multiple disciplines for thermal/system integration.

Skills

Heat transfer fundamentals

Thermodynamics

Materials science

Troubleshooting

ASME BPVC knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering (preferred)

Tools

NX/CATIA CAD

3D CAD with GD&T

CFD tools

FEA tools

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 Blue Origin Engines business unit, where our focus is the design, development, manufacturing, and testing of engines and propulsion systems. Built for multiple uses, our family of engines is powering the next generation of rockets for commercial, civil, national security, and human spaceflight. As part of a hardworking team of engineers, you will design, analyze, and optimize the next generation of heat exchangers for demanding thermal‑fluid environments. You will work with cross‑functional teams to develop innovative, high‑effectiveness, low‑pressure‑drop thermal solutions and to mature them from concept through qualification. You will be responsible for defining heat exchanger cores, headers, manifolds, and assemblies to support fabrication, testing, and production. A successful candidate will apply their knowledge across multiple applications involving heat transfer between fluids and phases, demonstrating versatility and technical depth as designs advance through successive iterations.

Relocation provided Travel expected up to 20% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and testing of heat exchangers and related thermal‑fluid systems, driving successive design iterations toward improved effectiveness, cost, and manufacturability
• Develop system requirements, specifications, and design documentation for heat exchanger cores and assemblies
• Design and optimize heat exchanger geometries and components — including cores, headers, manifolds, tube sheets, and mounting/support structures — balancing thermal effectiveness against pressure drop, mass, and volume
• Select appropriate materials for applications considering thermal cycling, creep, fatigue, and corrosion resistance
• Create detailed engineering drawings and models using 3D CAD software with proper GD&T per ASME Y14.5 standards
• Lead and participate in component and system‑level testing, including test planning, execution, and thermal/hydraulic data reduction and correlation to analytical predictions
• Troubleshoot design and operational issues (e.g., thermal stress, flow maldistribution, fouling, leakage) with calculated risk assessment
• Collaborate with manufacturing and quality teams to ensure producibility of designs, including brazed, welded, and additively manufactured cores
• Interface with various engineering disciplines to ensure proper thermal and system integration

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant industry experience
• Strong application of first principles in heat transfer, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and materials science
• Experience with heat exchangers, high‑temperature or cryogenic thermal systems, or high‑pressure fluid systems
• Knowledge of thermal expansion management and thermal stress analysis
• Experience with test data analysis and correlation of test results to predictions
• Solid troubleshooting skills for complex thermal‑fluid systems
• Familiarity with relevant industry standards and codes (ASME BPVC, TEMA, API, etc.)
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering with focus on thermal sciences or fluid systems
• 5+ years of relevant industry experience
• Experience designing and iterating on multiple heat exchanger types (e.g., tube‑and‑shell, plate‑fin, printed‑circuit/PCHE, regenerative cooling channels, cryogenic and tank‑pressurization heat exchangers)
• Working knowledge of heat exchanger sizing and rating methods (LMTD/ε‑NTU), pressure‑drop optimization, and flow distribution
• Familiar with CFD and FEA simulation tools for thermal‑fluid and thermal‑structural analysis
• CAD proficiency (NX, CATIA, or similar software)
• Experience with single‑phase and two‑phase (boiling/condensing) heat transfer
• Experience with design for manufacturing and assembly of complex fluid systems, including brazing, welding, and additive manufacturing of heat exchanger cores
• Understanding of fouling, thermal fatigue, and life‑cycle considerations in heat exchanger design
• Familiarity with radiation heat transfer analysis and thermal protection systems
• Background in aerospace, energy generation, or heavy industrial applications

Base Pay Range

For 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. 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.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affiantive 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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