Sr. Structural Engineer, Spacecraft, Orbital Data Centers

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a Senior Structural Engineer to lead structural analysis for critical spacecraft components. You will apply first‑principles in FEA and hand calculations to model stress, vibration, and thermo‑elastic loads from concept through qualification, ensuring designs survive launch and in‑orbit environments.

You will mentor peers, collaborate with design teams to optimize mass and stiffness, and contribute to test plans and data correlation for mission success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related discipline.
• 7+ years of professional experience in structural analysis for space/aerospace applications.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute structural analysis for spacecraft components and assemblies from concept to verification.
• Perform detailed FEA to model stress, strain, deformation, and modal response of complex systems.
• Conduct hand calculations and develop analytical models to validate FEA results.
• Analyze hardware for static, dynamic (random vibration, shock), and thermo-elastic loads.
• Support development and execution of structural test plans including static loads, vibration, and shock.
• Correlate analysis models with test data to refine predictions.
• Collaborate with design engineers to optimize mass and stiffness and meet structural requirements.
• Mentor and provide guidance to other engineers in structural analysis.

Skills

FEA proficiency

Hand calculations

Solid mechanics

Aerospace/space

FEA software (ANSYS/NASTRAN/Abaqus)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

CREO

NX

Python

MATLAB

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 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.

Join Blue Origin as we build infrastructure in space for the benefit of Earth. We're developing a satellite constellation of orbital data centers, Sunrise, designed to transform how compute infrastructure is deployed and leveraged.

As a Senior Structural Engineer, you will be a key technical contributor responsible for ensuring the structural integrity and reliability of the spacecraft. You will apply your deep expertise in structural analysis to guide the design from concept through qualification, ensuring our hardware can withstand the harsh environments of launch and in-orbit operation. This role requires a hands‑on, first‑principles approach to solving challenging engineering problems and making critical decisions to drive mission success.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Own and execute the structural analysis for critical spacecraft components and assemblies, from initial concept to final design and verification.
• Perform detailed Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to model and predict stress, strain, deformation, and modal response of complex mechanical systems.
• Conduct hand calculations and develop analytical models to anchor and validate FEA results.
• Analyze hardware for static, dynamic (random vibration, shock), and thermo‑elastic loads.
• Support develop and execution, as required, of structural test plans and physical testing including static loads, vibration, and shock.
• Correlate analysis models with test data to refine and improve predictive accuracy.
• Work closely with design engineers to drive design improvements, optimize for mass and stiffness, and ensure structural performance requirements are met.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to other engineers in the domain of structural analysis.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 7+ years of professional experience in structural analysis, with a focus on space, aerospace, or a similar high-performance industry.
• Expert proficiency with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software such as ANSYS, NASTRAN, or Abaqus.
• Demonstrated experience performing classical hand calculations for stress analysis.
• Strong fundamentals in solid mechanics, dynamics, and material science.
• Experience analyzing hardware for launch and operational environments in space (random vibration, shock, thermal cycles, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's or Ph.D. in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Experience with the analysis of composite structures and bonded joints.
• Familiarity with fracture mechanics and fatigue analysis (e.g., using NASGRO).
• Experience correlating analysis models to structural test data.
• Proficiency in scripting (e.g., Python, MATLAB) for automating analysis workflows and processing data.
• Familiarity with CAD software (e.g., CREO, NX) for model preparation and interrogation.
• Life cycle

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as necessary to support critical project milestones.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or eligible for authorization under U.S. export regulations.

Base Pay Range for:

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

Other site ranges may differ

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 affirmative 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 do not include any personal medical information in your request.