Sr. Thermal/Fluids Engineer - Lunar Permanence

Blue Origin LLC; Washington; On-site; USD 157,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Stock options

Paid time off

Education Support Program

Job summary

Blue Origin LLC is seeking a senior Thermal/Fluid Analyst to lead component- and system-level analyses for cryocoolers and heat exchangers on the Lunar Permanence team.

You will mentor early-career analysts, develop test plans, review data, and collaborate across design, manufacturing, and test facilities to deliver reliable, safe thermal solutions for spaceflight.

Qualifications

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in mechanical, civil, aerospace, or aeronautical engineering
• 7+ years’ experience with thermal/fluid system design, development, and analysis
• Experience in heat exchanger design, analysis, and/or test
• Strong command of heat transfer and fluid flow fundamentals
• Demonstrated thermal/Fluid FEA/CFD experience using Ansys, Thermal Desktop, or similar software
• Data-reduction and analysis experience
• Strong written and interpersonal skills

Responsibilities

• Direct and conduct component- and system- level thermal/fluid analyses and trade studies
• Effectively communicate analytical results and design-change impacts
• Review and interpret test data to anchor analytical models
• Lead execution and delivery of design, analysis, and data reviews/reports
• Provide peer/technical reviews for thermal and fluid analyses
• Lead and mentor early-career thermal/fluid analysts
• Create work plans, document progress, and report status
• Assist in developing test plans and procedures for cryocooler testing
• Execute test procedures involving pressurized cryogenic and non-cryogenic fluids
• Ensure work is completed per Blue Origin policies and procedures

Skills

Thermal analysis

Fluid analysis

FEA/CFD tools

Data reduction

Strong communication

Safety mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, civil, aerospace, or aeronautical engineering

Tools

Ansys

Thermal Desktop

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. We are a team of collaborators, doers, and problem-solvers who are relentlessly committed to a culture of safety. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your commitment and detailed attention towards 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. As part of a small, passionate, and accomplished team of experts, you will lead and conduct thermal and fluid analyses on a component and system level to develop cryocoolers used in zero-boiloff (ZBO) applications. Additionally, you will support heat exchanger design and analysis efforts within the Lunar Permanence business unit. Your role will be to collaborate with other ZBO/Lunar team engineers and technicians in the design, development, manufacturing, testing, and troubleshooting of these cryocoolers and thermal management systems.

Special Mentions Relocation provided

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Direct and conduct component- and system- level thermal/fluid analyses and trade studies for cryocooler, heat exchanger, and test asset design optimization
• Effectively communicate analytical results and effects of design changes on component and system performance
• Review and interpret test data to assess performance and health both at the system and component level, and to anchor analytical models
• Lead execution and delivery of design, analysis, and data reviews/reports and technical scope therein
• Provide peer/technical reviews for thermal and fluid analyses conducted by ZBO/Lunar colleagues
• Lead and mentor early-career thermal/fluid analysts
• Create work plans, document progress, and report status to leads and managers
• Assist in developing test plans and procedures for component, subsystem, and integrated cryocooler testing in collaboration with ZBO and other Blue Origin test facilities
• Execute test procedures involving pressurized cryogenic and non-cryogenic fluid systems
• Ensure work is completed in accordance with Blue Origin policies and procedures

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in mechanical, civil, aerospace, or aeronautical engineering
• 7+ years’ experience with thermal/fluid system design, development, and analysis
• Experience in heat exchanger design, analysis, and/or test
• Strong command of heat transfer and fluid flow fundamentals
• Demonstrated thermal/Fluid FEA/CFD experience using Ansys, Thermal Desktop, or similar software
• Data-reduction and analysis experience
• Strong written and interpersonal skills
• Desire to take ownership of projects
• Strong personal commitment to safety
• Ability and desire to understand complex systems, investigate and solve challenging problems, and work in a dynamic environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Product-development experience from initial requirement definition through design, analysis, build, and test
• Experience with cryogenic fluid and insulation systems and thermal analyses thereof, including parasitic heat leak analysis
• Thermodynamic cycle analysis
• Experience creating MATLAB-based thermal/fluid analysis routines, including solvers
• Experience providing peer/technical review of thermal/fluid analyses and component designs
• Experience developing, writing, and updating system- and component-level requirements
• Project-management skills

Base Pay Range for: CA applicants is $156,802.00 - $219,522.45 CO applicants is $144,179.00 - $201,849.90 WA applicants is $156,802.00 - $219,522.45 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

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.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

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

Company Culture and Mission

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.