Sr. Mechanical Engineer - Lunar Permanence

Blue Origin; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 134,000 - 203,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation provided

Travel up to 15%

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead design, analysis, test, and critical review of safety‑critical hardware, including mechanisms and secondary structure, for Lunar Transportation. You will mentor junior engineers and serve on a cross‑disciplinary program team pushing toward safe, reusable spaceflight and lower-cost lunar access.

This role offers relocation support and may require travel up to 15%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in mechanical design and analysis.
• Expertise in structural analysis, including hand calculations and FEA.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (Creo/SolidWorks/CATIA).
• Strong GD&T understanding.
• Ability to work independently and in a fast-paced team.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership as a member of a cross disciplinary team in a fast-paced design environment
• Participate in the entire design cycle of flight and mission critical hardware
• Collaborate with customers and stakeholders to define requirements and design architecture
• Lead design trade studies
• Create mechanical interface definitions, specifications, and control documents
• Create 3D CAD models and assemblies, part and assembly drawings, installation drawings, and other technical documentation
• Build and evaluate prototype assemblies
• Create assembly aids and test fixtures
• Collaborate on and document team mechanical best practices
• Plan and conduct engineering tests and data reviews
• Create and deliver presentations, proposals, and training material on technical subjects
• Review assembly instructions and support hardware builds
• Validate requirements through design, test, analysis, and inspection
• Support Production and Quality Engineering as needed, including dispositioning material defects
• Manage revisions of the product design configurations through the product lifecycle
• Mentor and train junior engineers
• Review and approve designs and documentation created by other team members

Skills

Leadership

Cross-disciplinary teamwork

3D CAD (Creo/SolidWorks/CATIA)

Structural analysis/FEA

GD&T

Independent/team work

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Creo

SolidWorks

CATIA

Windchill

ANSYS Mechanical

Job description

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. As part of a hardworking team of engineers and technical specialists, you will directly impact the history of space exploration and show your commitment to safe and repeatable space flight. Join us in lowering the cost of access to space and enabling Blue Origin’s vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth. This Mechanical Engineering position covers the design, analysis, test, and critical review of safety critical hardware, including mechanisms and secondary structure. This senior level role requires providing leadership, expertise, and training for the mechanical team. You will work as a member of the program team and will play a key role in developing the Lunar Transportation systems that will return humans to the Moon and extend human presence permanently beyond the bounds of Earth. Passion for our mission and vision is required. If you’re excited by providing both near term and long term value, solving novel problems, learning about interesting topics, and completing challenging projects, please apply!

Special Mentions

• Relocation provided
• Travel not typically expected, but on an as-needed basis up to 15%

Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To

• Provide leadership as a member of a cross disciplinary team in a fast-paced design environment
• Participate in the entire design cycle of flight and mission critical hardware
• Collaborate with customers and stakeholders to define requirements and design architecture
• Lead design trade studies
• 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
• Build and evaluate prototype assemblies
• Create assembly aids and test fixtures
• Collaborate on and document team mechanical best practices
• Plan and conduct engineering tests and data reviews
• Create and deliver presentations, proposals, and training material on technical subjects
• Review assembly instructions and support hardware builds
• Validate requirements through design, test, analysis, and inspection
• Support Production and Quality Engineering as needed, including dispositioning material defects
• Manage revisions of the product design configurations through the product lifecycle
• Mentor and train junior engineers
• Review and approve designs and documentation created by other team members

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in mechanical design and analysis.
• Demonstrated expertise in structural analysis, including hand calculations and FEA.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (e.g., Creo, SolidWorks, CATIA).
• Strong understanding of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with aerospace, launch vehicle, or spacecraft mechanisms
• Experience with recent versions of Creo, Windchill, Ansys Mechanical
• Experience with fatigue analysis and fracture mechanics
• Experience with advanced simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS, ABAQUS, NASTRAN).
• Knowledge of programming languages such as Python or MATLAB for data analysis and automation.

Base Pay Range For

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

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.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affid... 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.