Senior Satellite Structural Analyst - TeraWave

Blue Origin LLC; Littleton (CO); On-site; USD 134,000 - 187,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Education Support Program

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Blue Origin LLC seeks a Senior Satellite Structural Analyst to lead the structural design, analysis, verification, and test activities for the TeraWave constellation. You will work across mechanical, systems, manufacturing, AIT, and test teams to ensure design integrity from concept to flight readiness.

The role requires hands-on FEM work, model validation against test data, and strong communication of risks and recommendations. U.S. citizens or eligible residents preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years in structural analysis for aerospace applications.
• Experience with spacecraft structure design/analysis and launch environments.
• Proficiency with NASTRAN/ANSYS/Abaqus for FEA.
• Strong knowledge of dynamics, vibration, and modal testing.
• Experience generating margins of safety and verification docs.
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident or eligible to work in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Support structural analysis and verification of spacecraft structures and interfaces.
• Plan and execute structure-analysis work packages through margin closure and testing.
• Define design criteria, load cases, and analysis assumptions for hardware.
• Develop and maintain structural requirements and interface loads documentation.
• Perform FEM analyses and model development for launch/on-orbit needs.
• Correlate models to test data and update verification evidence.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and S&E teams to optimize structures.

Skills

Finite Element Analysis

Aerospace Structures

Vibration Analysis

Cross-functional teamwork

Independent analysis execution

Education

Bachelor's in Aerospace/Mechanical Eng

Master's or PhD (preferred)

Tools

NASTRAN

ANSYS

Abaqus

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! Blue Origin is pioneering the future of space-based communications with TeraWave, a revolutionary satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This multi-orbit constellation will consist of optically interconnected satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO), providing enterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide. At Blue Origin, we’re not just building the future of space exploration—we’re revolutionizing global connectivity through our TeraWave satellite network. As a Senior Satellite Structural Analyst, you will support the structural design, analysis, verification, and test activities that enable reliable spacecraft production and operation at constellation scale. You will work closely with structures, configuration, systems, manufacturing, AIT, test, and external integration teams to assess structural performance, resolve technical challenges, and mature hardware from concept through qualification and flight readiness. Join our team and help build a space-based network designed for tomorrow, where your expertise will directly contribute to creating reliable connectivity anywhere on Earth.

Responsibilities

• Support structural analysis and verification of TeraWave spacecraft structures, mechanisms, and mechanical interfaces throughout design, qualification, acceptance, and flight-readiness activities
• Independently plan and execute assigned structural-analysis work packages, from requirements definition and model development through margin closure, test correlation, and final documentation
• Define and maintain structural design criteria, load cases, and analysis assumptions for assigned hardware using applicable launch-vehicle, dispenser, transportation, ground-handling, test, and on-orbit environments
• Support development and maintenance of structural requirements, mechanical ICDs, and interface loads documentation for spacecraft subsystems, MGSE, dispenser, and launch-vehicle interfaces, as assigned
• Perform comprehensive structural analysis on primary and secondary satellite structures using classical hand calculations and advanced finite element analysis (FEA) techniques
• Develop and validate detailed finite element models of satellite components, subsystems, and full spacecraft to satisfy launch and on-orbit requirements
• Analyze and verify structural designs for applicable launch, ground-handling, transportation, test, and on-orbit environments, including quasi-static, random vibration, sine vibration, acoustic, shock, thermal distortion, and fatigue as applicable
• Evaluate structural margins of safety for critical components and verify structural integrity through analysis and testing
• Identify structural constraints and recommend mitigation strategies for design challenges
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including mechanical design, systems engineering, manufacturing, AIT, and test, to optimize structural designs that meet stiffness, strength, mass, manufacturability, and performance requirements
• Develop structural-analysis inputs to qualification and acceptance test plans; support test execution, instrumentation definition, data review, anomaly resolution, and correlation of analytical models to test results
• Correlate analytical models to test data and update models, margins, and verification evidence as required
• Support manufacturing, AIT, and operations teams in resolving structural nonconformances, test anomalies, and flight-hardware integration issues
• Develop and maintain structural-analysis documentation in compliance with Blue Origin engineering standards
• Support design reviews and present analysis results, technical risks, and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field
• 7+ years of experience in structural analysis for aerospace applications
• Experience with spacecraft structural design and analysis, including understanding of launch-vehicle environments
• Demonstrated expertise in finite element analysis using industry-standard software such as NASTRAN, ANSYS, or Abaqus
• Proficiency in analyzing composite and metallic aerospace structures
• Strong knowledge of structural dynamics, vibration analysis, and modal testing
• Experience generating structural margins of safety, analysis reports, and verification documentation
• Experience supporting structural test planning, test-data review, and correlation of analytical models to test results
• Demonstrated ability to independently execute structural-analysis and verification work packages and communicate technical results, risks, and recommendations to cross-functional teams
• Experience with structural optimization techniques and mass-reduction strategies
• 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 or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
• 10+ years of experience in satellite structural analysis
• Experience with optical or communications-satellite structural design
• Knowledge of spacecraft thermal-structural analysis and thermal-distortion effects
• Experience with multi-orbit satellite constellation design considerations
• Familiarity with space-environment effects on structural materials
• Experience with structural testing and correlation of test data with analytical models
• Knowledge of industry standards and practices for spacecraft structural design, such as NASA and AIAA standards
• Experience mentoring junior engineers and leading technical teams
• Excellent technical communication skills, both written and verbal
• Programming skills in Python, MATLAB, or similar languages for automation of analysis tasks

Base Pay Range

• CA applicants is $145,188.00 - $203,263.20
• CO applicants is $133,500.00 - $186,898.95
• 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.

Required Background Check

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

Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)

Paid Time Off

Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.

Bonus

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’sAffirmativeActionPlans, 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.

Company History

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.