Senior Mechanisms Engineer, Opto-Mechanical Space Systems

Blue Origin LLC; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Blue Origin’s Emerging Systems is seeking a Mechanisms Engineer III to design precision gimbal assemblies and high- reliability mechanical systems for the TeraWave constellation. You will own mechanism scope end-to-end from concept to qualification with autonomy, collaborating with senior engineers while remaining the directly responsible engineer for your mechanisms.

Relocation assistance is available; travel up to 20% may be required for integration, launch campaigns, and meetings.

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

Responsibilities

• 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

Skills

GD&T and tolerance analysis

interface control documentation

ownership mindset

self-directed work style

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Automotive or related field

Tools

Creo/NX/SolidWorks

ANSYS/NASTRAN/Comsol

Job description

Blue Origin’s Emerging Systems is seeking a Mechanisms Engineer III to design precision gimbal assemblies and high- reliability mechanical systems for the TeraWave constellation. You will own mechanism scope end-to-end from concept to qualification with autonomy, collaborating with senior engineers while remaining the directly responsible engineer for your mechanisms.

Relocation assistance is available; travel up to 20% may be required for integration, launch campaigns, and meetings.