Propulsion Thermal Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Stock options

Paid time off

Job summary

Blue Origin Engines is seeking a dedicated engineer to perform thermal analysis of thrusters and subsystems. You will build detailed models, validate them with test data, and influence design decisions across the development cycle.

Applicants should have a strong background in heat transfer and thermodynamics, with hands-on experience in thermal tools. The role involves independent work, cross-functional collaboration, and leading design reviews to ensure safe, reliable propulsion hardware.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of professional experience in thermal analysis.
• Strong fundamentals in fluids and thermodynamics.
• Leadership and independent work capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Perform detailed thermal analysis of thrusters and subsystems.
• Develop detailed thermal models to predict behavior.
• Analyze thermal test data to anchor and refine models.
• Support thermal design across development stages.
• Lead thermal design reviews and verification activities.
• Collaborate with propulsion, materials, manufacturing, and test teams.
• Document methods, assumptions, results, and recommendations.

Skills

Thermal analysis

Heat transfer

Thermodynamics

Numerical analysis

Ansys

Thermal Desktop

SINDA FLUINT

0-D/1-D thermal analysis

Hand calculations

Project leadership

Independent work

Education

MS in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Tools

Thermal Desktop

SINDA FLUINT

Ansys

Job description

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 small team of engineers, you will perform thermal analysis to support the design and development of our thruster systems. This role supports the full development cycle, from early design trades through hot-fire testing and hardware qualification, and gives you direct influence over how thruster hardware is designed and verified. The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in heat transfer, thermodynamics, and numerical analysis and can solve complex engineering problems from initial concept through qualification. You should be comfortable working independently, contributing to design decisions, and communicating results clearly to the rest of the team.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Perform detailed thermal analysis of thrusters and subassemblies, including design trade studies, component sizing, and design verification

  * Develop detailed thermal models using industry-standard tools to predict thruster and subsystem thermal behavior

  * Analyze thermal test data to anchor, validate, and refine thermal models and analyses

  * Support component design from a thermal perspective throughout the development cycle

  * Lead and support thermal design reviews and verification activities throughout the product lifecycle

  * Collaborate cross-functionally with propulsion, materials, manufacturing, and test teams to ensure designs meet thermal margins and safety requirements

  * Document analysis methods, assumptions, results, and recommendations

  * Contribute to the continuous improvement of thermal analysis processes, tools, and best practices within the team

Minimum Qualifications

• 4+ years of professional experience related to thermal analysis
• Strong technical fundamentals in fluids and thermodynamics
• Experience with Thermal Desktop, SINDA FLUINT, and Ansys
• Proficiency with 0-D and 1-D thermal/fluid analysis
• Able to perform hand calculations to validate and improve models
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and work independently
• 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

• M.S. degree or higher in mechanical or aerospace engineering
• 6+ years of thermal analysis of propulsion systems and components

Base Pay Range for:

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 Affiantive Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us [e-mail]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.