Senior Engineer, Fluid Systems

Blue Origin; United States; On-site; USD 145,000 - 203,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Origin in Washington state seeks a Senior Engineer to join the Second Stage Fluid Systems team. You will design, analyze, test, and critically review safety-critical flight hardware such as pumps, valves, and pressure vessels while guiding a cross-disciplinary team.

Lead hardware from concept through flight, apply first-principles physics, define interfaces, conduct tests, review data, and mentor junior engineers to raise team performance in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical, Aerospace, Systems Engineering, Physics, or related technical field.
• 8+ years of experience designing and developing fluid and/or mechanical systems and components.
• Experience taking hardware from design through test and into operation.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD and engineering analysis (structural, stress, thermal, or fluid).
• Experience leading small teams and/or subcontractors to accomplish objectives.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership on a cross-disciplinary team in a fast‑paced design environment.
• Own hardware from concept through detailed design, development, qualification, assembly, and flight.
• Apply first‑principles physics and engineering analysis to size, design, and validate hardware.
• Lead trade studies and advise the team on technical approaches to our hardest problems.
• Define requirements, interfaces, specifications, and control documents with stakeholders.
• Plan and conduct engineering tests, lead data reviews, and correlate results to predictions.
• Manage procurements, schedules, and risks to meet hardware delivery commitments.
• Support production and quality, including dispositioning material defects.
• Review and approve designs and documentation created by other engineers.
• Mentor junior engineers and improve team best practices.

Skills

Technical leadership

3D CAD

Engineering analysis

Fluid/Mechanical design

Team leadership

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Education

B.S. in Mechanical/Aerospace/Systems Engineering/Physics

Tools

Creo

ANSYS

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 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. As part of a hardworking team of engineers, analysts, and technicians, you will design, analyze, test, and critically review the safety-critical fluid and mechanical hardware that flies on the New Glenn second stage.

This role is part of the New Glenn business unit, which builds Blue Origin's heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle. To further Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth, we are building reusable rockets that deliver crew and cargo to orbit and beyond. We are looking for a Senior Engineer to join the Second Stage Fluid Systems team.

Our team owns the complex mechanical and fluid hardware that makes flight possible: pumps, valves, combustors, pressure vessels, tubing, and secondary structure. You will design, analyze, test, and critically review safety-critical flight hardware while providing leadership, expertise, and mentorship across a cross‑disciplinary team. Bring your technical expertise, leadership skills, and dedication to quality. Passion for our mission and vision is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership on a cross-disciplinary team in a fast‑paced design environment
• Own hardware from concept through detailed design, development, qualification, assembly, and flight
• Apply first‑principles physics and engineering analysis to size, design, and validate hardware
• Lead trade studies and advise the team on technical approaches to our hardest problems
• Define requirements, interfaces, specifications, and control documents with stakeholders
• Plan and conduct engineering tests, lead data reviews, and correlate results to predictions
• Manage procurements, schedules, and risks to meet hardware delivery commitments
• Support production and quality, including dispositioning material defects
• Review and approve designs and documentation created by other engineers
• Mentor junior engineers and improve team best practices

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, Systems Engineering, Physics, or related technical field
• 8+ years of experience designing and developing fluid and/or mechanical systems and components
• Experience taking hardware from design through test and into operation
• Proficiency with 3D CAD and engineering analysis (structural, stress, thermal, or fluid)
• Experience leading small teams and/or subcontractors to accomplish objectives
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment
• Excellent verbal, written, and graphical communication skills
• Ability to earn trust and maintain positive, professional relationships

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. in a related technical field
• Experience with launch vehicles, upper stages, spacecraft, or propulsion systems
• Experience in oil and gas, power generation, industrial rotating equipment, or other high‑consequence fluid system industries
• Cryogenic and high‑pressure fluid systems experience
• Creo and ANSYS
• Systems engineering experience: requirements and interface definition, management, and verification
• Experience with the full lifecycle of a propulsion or fluid system

Base Pay Range for: WA applicants is $145,188.00 - $203,263.20

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

• 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 Affi ...

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.