Sr. Mechanical Engineer – Avionics Packaging - TeraWave

Blue Origin; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 203,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match up to 5%

Stock options

Paid time off

Education Support Program

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to architect, design, and validate mechanical packaging for spacecraft LRUs. You will own the mechanical design from concept through qualification and production, ensuring alignment stability and survivability through launch with reliable on-orbit performance.

The role focuses on packaging for avionics enclosures, LRU mechanical integration, and collaboration with electrical teams to ensure robust thermal and structural performance in harsh space

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering.
• 7+ years designing ruggedized enclosures or high-reliability hardware.
• Familiarity with static structural, modal, random vibration, and thermal analyses.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD and drawings (Creo, NX, SolidWorks); strong GD&T (ASME Y14.5).
• Experience with environmental testing (vibration, shock, thermal cycling).
• Root cause analysis and corrective action experience.
• U.S. citizen or eligible to work in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the full design cycle of flight LRUs and avionics enclosures.
• Design packaging architectures using DFM/DFA principles.
• Create 3D CAD models and installation drawings; maintain BOMs.
• Collaborate with electrical team on PCB and interconnect analyses.
• Support environmental testing and data reviews; provide corrective actions.

Skills

Mechanical design

Creo

GD&T

Vibration analysis

Thermal analysis

Failure analysis

Team collaboration

Education

B.S. in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Tools

Creo

NX

SolidWorks

Windchill

AN SYS Mechanical

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.

As part of the TeraWave Spacecraft Bus, you will be responsible for driving requirements, design, analysis, test, and critical review of avionics enclosures and assemblies which house electronic components. You will play a key role in developing the TeraWave Satellite system from concept through formal qualification and verification including integration and flight support activities. You will own mechanical packaging for the various Line Replaceable Unit (LRU), including enclosure, card retention, thermal paths, connector access, mounting interfaces, serviceability, mass optimization, producibility, and integration flow. Your work will support evolving LRU architectures.

The role is part of the In‑Space Systems business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on‑orbit. We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer to architect, design, and validate the mechanical packaging for spacecraft LRUs. You will own the mechanical design from concept through qualification and production, ensuring alignment stability, survivability through launch, and reliable on‑orbit performance.

Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To

• Participate in the entire design cycle of flight and mission critical avionics Line Replacement Units (LRUs)
• Design and develop packaging architectures using DFM / DFA for avionics LRU enclosures.
• Design avionics enclosure solutions for performance and high reliability in harsh environments
• Create mechanical interface definitions, specifications, and control documents
• Create 3D CAD models and assemblies, part and assembly drawings, installation drawings, and other required technical documentation
• Collaborate with the electrical engineering team to incorporate printed circuit board and interconnect systems, including thermal and structural analyses of these components
• Own BOMs and configuration control throughout the product lifecycle
• Build and evaluate prototype assemblies
• Create assembly aids and test fixtures
• Plan and conduct engineering tests and data reviews
• Review assembly instructions and support hardware builds
• Support environmental testing (TVAC, thermal cycling, vibration, shock): test setup, instrumentation, data review, and corrective actions
• Support Production and Quality Engineering as needed, including dispositioning material defects
• Manage revisions of the product design configurations through the product lifecycle

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering
• 7+ years of recent experience designing ruggedized electronic enclosures or similar high-performance / high reliability hardware
• Familiarity with static structural, modal, random vibration, and thermal analysis
• Proficiency with 3D CAD and drawings (e.g., Creo, NX, or SolidWorks); strong GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and tolerance analysis.
• Experience with environmental testing including vibration, shock, thermal cycle
• Experience performing failure analysis and establishing root cause / corrective action
• 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

• Experience with one or more of the following packaging disciplines: avionics, power regulators and distributors, batteries
• Experience with aerospace, launch vehicle, or spacecraft avionics systems
• Experience with FEA tools (Ansys preferred)
• Experience with recent versions of Creo, Windchill, Ansys Mechanical
• Experience with fatigue analysis and fracture mechanics
• Experience with additional environmental testing including EMI/RFI, TVAC
• Ability to be self-directed and balance several projects at one time

Base Pay Range For

CO applicants is $133,500.00 - $186,898.95 WA applicants is $145,188.00 - $203,263.20

Other Site Ranges May Differ

Other site pay ranges may vary; please refer to the location specific details for accurate compensation.

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.

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.