Structural Production Support and Sustaining Engineer III

Blue Origin LLC; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Origin LLC in the United States seeks an experienced structural engineer to own the design, analysis, development, testing, and qualification of structural subsystems for New Glenn's second stage and payload accommodations.

You will lead manufacturability initiatives, guide engineering teams, and support production and mission operations, collaborating across design, manufacturing, test, and launch sites to ensure robust and repeatable spaceflight.

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in engineering with 5–8+ years in aircraft/spacecraft structures.
• Experience with metallic aerospace hardware and structural composites.
• Hands-on production or test environment experience on shop floor or integration.
• Proficient CAD, hand calculations, and FEA tools.
• Strong GD&T knowledge and documentation delivery.
• Excellent communication and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Lead structural design and configuration of launch vehicle structures.
• Develop 3D models, drawings, assemblies, and interface control documents.
• Perform structural sizing using hand calculations and FEA.
• Resolve hardware nonconformances and support MRB.
• Develop and review test plans and procedures.
• Lead subsystem test planning and data analysis.
• Coordinate across design, manufacturing, test, and operations.
• Apply GD&T and drawing standards for manufacturability.
• Conduct access studies and loss-of-clearance analyses.
• Identify improvements for efficiency, reliability, and cost.
• Mentor junior engineers and communicate status to leadership.

Skills

CAD modeling (Creo/Windchill)

Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

GD&T ASME Y14.5

Structural design for aerospace

Cross-functional collaboration

Production floor / fabrication support

Education

B.S. in Engineering

Tools

Creo/Windchill

Ansys

Nastran

Abaqus

HyperMesh

Job description

Application close date

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

About Blue Origin

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 supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a single‑configuration, heavy‑lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to low‑Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar, and beyond. Its first stage is fully reusable, and the vehicle was designed from the beginning to be human‑capable. As part of a hardworking, passionate, and accomplished team of experts, you will own the design, analysis, development, testing, and qualification of structural subsystems for New Glenn’s second stage and payload accommodations to support design, manufacturing, and operations. You will lead manufacturability and efficiency initiatives, vehicle modifications and impact analyses, and provide day‑to‑day manufacturing floor support for your scope. You will generate concise and accurate design documentation, perform peer reviews, and provide technical guidance to early‑career engineers. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your dedicated commitment and detailed attention toward safe and repeatable spaceflight. As we transition from the initial design, release, and qualification testing of flight hardware to the production and operational phase, you will be responsible for supporting production, ongoing testing, and mission operations for your hardware. We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership within projects, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required.

Special notes

• Relocation may be provided
• Travel expected up to 15%

Responsibilities include but are not limited to

• Serve as a key contributor for structural design and configuration of pressurized and unpressurized launch vehicle structures, including complex interfaces and mission‑unique accommodations.
• Lead detailed design efforts: develop and maintain 3D models, drawings, assemblies, installations, and interface control documents; ensure compliance with requirements and standards.
• Plan and perform structural sizing using hand calculations and FEA; coordinate with analysis specialists as needed.
• Drive resolution of hardware discrepancies, including timely disposition of manufacturing nonconformances, support to MRB, and participation in failure investigations.
• Support development of structural test plans, specifications, and procedures for development, qualification, and acceptance tests; participate in test readiness reviews.
• Lead or co‑lead subsystem test planning, execution support, data reduction, and analysis; translate results into actionable design updates.
• Coordinate across design, manufacturing, test, launch site operations, and mission integration to ensure hardware is producible, testable, and operationally robust.
• Apply and review GD&T and drawing standards (ASME Y14.5, Y14.100, Y14.41) to ensure clear, manufacturable definition.
• Perform and document access studies, loss‑of‑clearance analyses, and configuration studies to support new missions and late‑arising changes.
• Identify, prioritize, and implement improvements for operational efficiency, reliability growth, and cost reduction.
• Provide informal mentorship and technical guidance to level 1–2 engineers on methods, tools, and best practices.
• Communicate technical status, risks, and recommendations to peers and technical leadership.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. degree in engineering and typically 5–8+ years of related experience with aircraft, spacecraft, or launch vehicle structures (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Significant experience with structural design of metallic aerospace hardware, fluid systems, and/or structural composites and exposure to full lifecycle (requirements, design, analysis, build, test, integration).
• Hands‑on experience with hardware in production or test environments (e.g., shop floor, integration, or field operations).
• Strong structural design skills using CAD (Creo/Windchill preferred), hand calculations, and FEA tools.
• Deep understanding of metallic design fundamentals, structural load paths, and bolted joint design/analysis.
• Proficiency with GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and familiarity with ASME Y14.100 and Y14.41.
• Demonstrated ability to drive tasks to completion, manage priorities, and resolve issues in cross‑functional settings.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting technical work and influencing decisions within a project team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated impact in design for manufacturability, cost reduction, build time optimization, and design‑for‑reuse.
• Experience with hot and cryogenic structures and associated materials and analysis methods.
• Experience with rapid development and test‑and‑learn approaches for structural hardware.
• Proficiency with one or more industry‑standard analysis tools: Ansys, Nastran, Optistruct, LS‑Dyna, Hypermesh, Hypersizer, NASGRO, Abaqus.
• Strong familiarity with buckling, fatigue, and fracture mechanics failure modes and mitigation strategies.
• Experience with fabrication and integration