Sr. Propulsion Engineer, Project Sunrise Orbital Data Centers

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Parental Leave

Disability Insurance

401(k) match

Education Support

Stock Options

Paid Time Off

Holidays

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a Senior Propulsion Engineer to own the design, development, and integration of propulsion for a spacecraft constellation. You will lead analysis and trade studies, ensuring performance meets mission needs and works with power, thermal, and propellant subsystems.

This hands-on role requires deep knowledge of electric propulsion, system requirements, and test planning. You will collaborate with GNC, systems, and mission operations teams, and contribute to procurement,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace/Mechanical Engineering, Physics or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in design, analysis, or testing of spacecraft propulsion systems.
• Experience with electric propulsion systems, including testing or flight experience.

Responsibilities

• Own the propulsion system design and development, incl. flow control and propellant supply.
• Perform trade studies and analysis on propulsion technologies.
• Develop and manage system requirements and interface control documents.
• Create and maintain performance models for thrust, Isp, and impulse.
• Define and oversee test plans for propulsion system lifetime.
• Collaborate with GNC, systems, and mission operations teams.
• Support procurement, design, manufacturing, testing and integration of propulsion hardware.
• Analyze test data and anchor system models.

Skills

Propulsion design

Trade studies

Electric propulsion

Subsystem interfaces

Python/MATLAB scripting

Orbital mechanics

Analytical modeling

Hands-on testing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering, Physics

Master's or PhD in a related field

Tools

Hall effect thrusters

Power Processing Units (PPUs)

Propellant feed systems

Vacuum chamber testing

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 Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE), supporting Blue Origin’s mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. The team fosters innovation and drives engineering workflows of the future, shared solutions and standards, simplicity and lower costs, and manufacturable design.

Job Summary

As a Senior Propulsion Engineer, you will be a key technical owner responsible for the design, development, and integration of the propulsion system for a constellation of spacecraft. You will lead the analysis and trade studies of various propulsion systems, to deliver a solution that meets our specific mission requirements. This is a critical, hands‑on role that requires a deep understanding of electric propulsion and the ability to manage the complex interplay between the thruster and its supporting spacecraft subsystems, such as power, thermal, and propellant management.

Responsibilities

• Own the design and development of the propulsion system, including flow control and propellant supply, leading the effort to architect, size, and optimize it for our mission application.
• Perform trade studies and analysis on various propulsion technologies to inform design decisions and future upgrades.
• Develop and manage the system requirements and interface control documents for the propulsion system, ensuring compatibility with power, thermal, structural, and propellant subsystems.
• Create and maintain detailed performance models to predict on-orbit behavior, including thrust, specific impulse, and total impulse.
• Define and oversee the execution of test plans to verify and validate the performance and lifetime of the propulsion system and its components.
• Collaborate closely with GNC, systems, and mission operations teams to ensure the propulsion system meets all functional and operational requirements.
• Support procurement, design, manufacturing, test and/or integration of propulsion system hardware, including thrusters, Power Processing Units (PPUs), and propellant feed systems.
• Analyze test data and anchor system models to ensure predictive accuracy.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.
• 7+ years of professional experience in the design, analysis, or testing of spacecraft propulsion systems.
• Demonstrated experience with electric propulsion systems, including testing and/or flight experience.
• Strong understanding of the subsystem interfaces and requirements (power, thermal, propellant) associated with electric propulsion.
• Strong fundamentals in plasma physics, fluid dynamics, and orbital mechanics.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in a relevant engineering or physics discipline.
• Direct, hands‑on experience with Hall effect thrusters.
• Experience with the full lifecycle of a propulsion system, from concept through on‑orbit operations.
• Experience with vacuum chamber testing of electric propulsion systems.
• Proficiency in scripting (e.g., Python, MATLAB) for performance modeling and data analysis.
• Familiarity with the design of Power Processing Units (PPUs) and propellant feed systems.
• Experience mentoring, defining, and reviewing work of junior engineers.

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.

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

• 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. Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affiantive Action Plans, 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.

Thank you for your interest in working at Blue Origin!

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.

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