Spacecraft Thermal Engineer III

Blue Origin; Merritt Island (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 183,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Stock options

Paid time off

Education support program

Job summary

Blue Origin seeks an experienced Thermal Engineer to lead spacecraft thermal systems development from architecture through testing. You will build thermal models, perform hand calculations, and guide hardware design, documentation, and AI&T efforts for lunar missions.

The role requires 7+ years in space thermal systems, a solid physics foundation, and strong leadership. U.S. citizenship is required; MS degree and hands-on MLI/thermal hardware experience are a plus.

Qualifications

• Solid foundation in thermal physics fundamentals.
• 7+ years in design, analysis and test of spacecraft thermal systems.
• Experience with thermal analysis, model validation and test correlation.
• Ability to lead projects and teams with strong interpersonal skills.
• Experience in design, analysis and testing of spacecraft thermal systems.
• U.S. citizenship or eligible work status in the U.S.
• Preferred: MS degree and hands-on experience with thermal hardware installation.

Responsibilities

• Drives the development of thermal systems including architecture, modeling, sizing.
• Perform trade studies on materials and subsystem hardware.
• Conduct hand calculations to screen concepts and sanity check FE results.
• Develop vehicle-level thermal models using SINDA/FLUINT with Thermal Desktop.
• Maintain system analysis documentation and contribute to TVAC procedures.
• Lead thermal engineering support for hardware design, procurement, and AI&T.

Skills

Thermal analysis

Leadership

Project management

Material selection

Hand calculations

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

MS degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Tools

SINDA/FLUINT

Thermal Desktop

CREO/Windchill

Python

C/C++

GitLab

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 Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin's Blue Moon landers and related products. To further Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Drives the development of thermal systems including system architecture definition, thermal system modeling, component sizing, and design.

• Perform trade studies relating to selection of material and subsystem hardware.

• Perform hand calculations to screen concepts without detailed modeling and to sanity check finite element/difference model results.

• Develop vehicle-level thermal models using SINDA/FLUINT with Thermal Desktop.

• Develop and maintain system analysis documentation.

• Perform steady state & transient thermal analysis of spacecraft thermal systems as well as tracking of system performance in ground ops, TVAC testing, launch, Earth orbit, and beyond Earth orbit environments.

• Provide thermal engineering leadership & support for the development of thermal vacuum (TVAC) test procedures, scripts and installation designs.

• Provide thermal engineering leadership & support for thermal hardware design, documentation (drawings and model based designs), procurement, planning, procedural & operations support of Spacecraft assembly, integration & test (AI&T) efforts.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of a B.S. degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering.

• Solid understanding of thermal physics fundamentals.

• 7+ years of relevant experience in design, analysis, and test of spacecraft thermal systems

• Experience in thermal analysis, including model validation and test correlation

• Ability to lead projects and teams, earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships.

• Experience in design, analysis, and testing of spacecraft thermal systems.

• 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 in mechanical or aerospace engineering

• Lead the design, drawing release, fabrication and/or procurement, and installation of Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) blankets, film heaters, thermal interface materials, temperature sensors

• Hands‑on experience with spacecraft thermal hardware installation processes

• Experience solving a variety of thermal problems demonstrating breadth in analysis application

• Proficiency in one or more programming languages (e.g., Python, C/C++,etc).

• Proficiency in one or more CAD & PLM software packages (CREO/Windchill preferred)

• Ability to perform trade studies relating to selection of material and subsystem hardware.

• Ability to perform hand calculations to screen concepts without detailed modeling and to sanity check finite element model results.

• Ability to develop vehicle-level thermal models using SINDA/FLUINT with Thermal Desktop.

• Ability to provide thermal engineering support for the development of thermal vacuum (TVAC) test procedures, scripts and installation designs.

• Ability to provide thermal engineering support for thermal hardware design, documentation (drawings and model based designs), procurement, planning, procedural & operations support of Spacecraft assembly, integration & test (AI&T) efforts.

• Support existing & development of thermal data analytics architecture (GitLab or similar)

• Experience managing engineering efforts against cost and schedule constraints

• Experience and ability to work independently on rapid development programs

• Depth of experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Thermal Vacuum test planning and execution

• Spacecraft/payload thermal analysis

• Active or Passive Thermal Control Systems

• Spacecraft Thermal hardware testing

• Thermal hardware such as radiators, heaters, thermostats, pumps, valves, sensors, thermostats, heat pipes, ablative materials, sublimators, and/or phase change materials

• Thermal design of Mechanical Ground Support Equipment

• Spacecraft Thermal system on-orbit operations support

Base Pay Range for:

CO applicants is $119,814.00 - $167,738.55WA applicants is $130,706.00 - $182,987.70

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 Affluent 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.