Sr. Design Engineer, Structural/Mechanical GSE

InvestedintheMission; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid Time Off: up to four weeks per year

Job summary

Blue Origin in Seattle is seeking a Senior Structural Design Engineer to lead complex hardware designs. You will own the design and analysis of structural systems while working closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure effective integration.

The ideal candidate has a B.S. degree in engineering and at least 7 years of experience in structural design. Benefits include medical insurance, stock options, and up to four weeks of paid time off.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of experience designing and developing structural and mechanical equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to own complex designs from concept through commissioning.
• Practical knowledge of manufacturing processes and ability to design for fabrication.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end design of the most complex assigned hardware.
• Develop system technical needs and concepts of operations.
• Create detailed designs and bills of materials through CAD models and drawings.

Skills

Advanced experience using CAD and FEA software

Strong working knowledge of industry codes and standards

Experience leading structural anomaly investigations

Project management skills

Education

B.S. degree in mechanical, civil, aerospace engineering

Tools

Creo/NX

ANSYS

Job description

Overview

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.

Position Summary

As the Senior Structural Design Engineer on a small structural design team within Engines Advanced Programs, you will serve as the team's technical design lead—owning the most complex hardware and providing the senior technical voice on structural design, analysis, and trade decisions. You will design, analyze, build, and commission critical operational equipment, working directly with end users, technicians, and vendors.

The team supports operational infrastructure with essential support hardware such as test stands, towers, lift fixtures, pipe supports, specialized assembly tooling, transporters, maintenance platforms, and dolly systems. Design and analysis focus on steel and aluminum structures, delivering mechanical systems that may include hydraulic, pneumatic, or other energized subsystems.

Special Mentions

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 20% of the time
• Interviews will include a technical assessment

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end design of the most complex assigned hardware—from project objectives and concept of operations through operational handover.
• Develop system technical needs and concepts of operations from stakeholder input.
• Create detailed designs and bills of materials through 3D CAD models and 2D drawing packages to industry standards (ASME Y14.5).
• Perform robust structural and mechanical analysis using FEA software and hand calculations; author detailed analysis reports describing load cases, factors of safety, and margins.
• Define hardware test scope, requirements, and configurations, including non-destructive evaluation, proof testing, operational testing, material testing, and weld inspection.
• Lead system safety analyses such as FMECA, HAZOP, JHA, and FTA.
• Develop activation and commissioning plans, and lead installation and commissioning activities in the field.
• Maintain design authority during fabrication, working closely with vendors and manufacturing teams; resolve technical issues during field integration.
• Oversee procurement and build of hardware (internal and external) to ensure it meets technical and operational requirements.
• Serve as the team's technical resource for complex structural problems, trade studies, and architectural decisions.
• Lead structural anomaly investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action development.
• Provide technical review of designs, analyses, and drawing packages produced by other engineers.
• Develop analysis methods, design tooling, and verification practices that improve technical quality and efficiency.
• Represent the team in cross-discipline and cross-program technical reviews.
• Provide schedule, hours, and budget input to leadership; inform program-level technical risk and trade decisions.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. degree in mechanical, civil, aerospace engineering, or related discipline from an accredited institution.
• Minimum 7 years of experience designing and developing structural and mechanical equipment, tooling, or industrial hardware throughout the product life cycle.
• Demonstrated ability to own complex designs from concept through commissioning with no oversight.
• Demonstrated advanced technical judgment on complex structural problems, including trade studies and architectural decisions.
• Experience leading structural anomaly investigations and root cause analysis on complex hardware.
• Advanced experience using CAD and FEA software (Creo/NX and ANSYS preferred).
• Advanced drawing and modeling proficiency, including detail and assembly drawings with GD&T (ASME Y14.5).
• Deep design and analysis experience with steel and aluminum welded structures.
• Strong working knowledge of industry codes and standards for structural equipment and tooling (e.g., ASME B30.20/BTH-1, OSHA, AISC-360, ASCE-7, Aluminum Design Manual).
• Practical knowledge of manufacturing processes (milling, turning, cutting, welding) and ability to design for fabrication.
• Experience working with multi-functional teams including maintenance and sustaining operations.
• Experience developing operational procedures for testing, commissioning, and maintenance of structural equipment and tooling.
• Strong organization and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% to support hardware installation, troubleshooting, testing, and vendor support.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. degree in mechanical, civil, aerospace engineering.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in Civil, Mechanical, or Structural engineering.
• Experience as engineer of record on critical lift hardware (ASME B30.20 / ASME BTH-1).
• Experience standing up new programs or capabilities—clean-sheet design rather than sustaining existing equipment.
• Experience providing technical guidance to less-experienced engineers through design reviews and structural trade studies.
• Experience qualifying welders and welding procedures (AWS D1.1, D1.2, D14.1).
• Experience designing structural equipment and tooling for aerospace, propulsion, or other heavy industrial applications, including coordination with critical adjacent hardware.
• Experience designing hydraulic and pneumatic mechanical systems.
• Experience designing and analyzing hydraulic and pneumatic mechanical systems.
• Fundamental understanding of ASME B31.3 for Process Piping.
• Hands-on experience constructing or repairing mechanical components and systems, acquired through personal pursuits or professional experience.
• Proficiency in tolerance stack-up analysis.
• Experience with PDM/PLM version control systems.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.
• Stock options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours per week).
• Paid Time Off: Up to four 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 additional benefits and bonuses determined at the company's sole discretion; bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and are subject to change.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin 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.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background Check.
• Required for certain job profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if 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) or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 10,001 lbs. or higher, or transport placardable hazardous materials, may be subject to additional federal regulations.
• 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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is a proud Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated workforce. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of protected characteristics. For more information on your rights, refer to the official resources provided by the federal and state agencies.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s affirmative action plans or requiring a reasonable accommodation in the application and interview process may contact [e-mail].