Thermal Engineer, Project Sunrise

Blue Origin; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 98,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Stock options

Paid time off

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a passionate Thermal Engineer to focus on high-performance radiators and thermal control for in-space systems. The role emphasizes CFD-driven analysis, thermal modeling, and integration across design, manufacturing, and testing.

Responsibilities include validation of models against test data, collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, and addressing complex heat transfer challenges in a harsh space environment.

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• 2+ years in thermal design/analysis or advanced degree with heat transfer focus.
• Fundamental heat transfer principles (conduction, convection, radiation).
• Experience with a thermal analysis or CFD software package (Thermal Desktop, Sinda/Fluint, Star-CCM+, Ansys Fluent).
• U.S. citizen or eligible for US employment.

Responsibilities

• Design and analyze high-performance radiators and thermal control systems for spacecraft.
• Develop and apply thermal models to predict component/system performance using CAD/CAE tools.
• Analyze spacecraft thermal environments including orbital mechanics, solar, albedo, and planetary IR heating.
• Support thermal hardware lifecycle from concept to testing.
• Use CFD and other tools to investigate two-phase flow in heat rejection loops.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to define requirements and interfaces.
• Analyze test data to anchor models and demonstrate compliance.

Skills

Thermal design

Heat transfer

CFD concepts

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Master's or PhD in relevant field (preferred)

Tools

Thermal Desktop

Sinda/Fluint

Star-CCM+

Ansys Fluent

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.

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.

Our team is developing next-generation spacecraft that push the boundaries of performance and capability in orbit. We are seeking a passionate and skilled Thermal Engineer to focus on the design, analysis, and integration of advanced heat rejection systems. You will be a key contributor to the thermal architecture of our in-space systems, with a specific emphasis on designing high-performance space radiators. This role involves applying fundamental thermal principles and advanced analysis tools, including CFD, to solve complex heat transfer challenges and ensure mission success in the harsh environment of space.

Responsibilities

• Design and analyze high-performance radiators and other thermal control systems (e.g., heat pipes, cold plates, vapor chambers, oscillating heat pipes, and pumped fluid loops) for spacecraft.
• Develop and apply thermal models to predict and validate the performance of components and integrated systems, using tools such as Thermal Desktop, Sinda/Fluint, and CFD software.
• Perform detailed analysis of spacecraft thermal environments, including orbital mechanics and solar, albedo, and planetary IR heating.
• Support the full lifecycle of thermal hardware, from initial concept and trade studies through detailed design, manufacturing, and testing.
• Use CFD and other analysis tools to investigate complex thermal-fluid phenomena, such as two-phase flow in heat rejection loops.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to define thermal requirements, interfaces, and integration strategies.
• Analyze test data to anchor thermal models and demonstrate compliance with requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience in thermal design and analysis, OR an advanced degree (Master's or PhD) with a focus on heat transfer or thermal-fluid sciences.
• Demonstrated understanding of fundamental heat transfer principles (conduction, convection, and radiation).
• Experience with at least one thermal analysis or CFD software package (e.g., Thermal Desktop, Sinda/Fluint, Star-CCM+, Ansys Fluent).
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in a relevant field with a dissertation/thesis focused on heat transfer, radiator technology, or CFD.
• Experience in the design and analysis of thermal systems for spacecraft or vacuum environments.
• Proficiency with industry-standard thermal analysis software such as Thermal Desktop and Sinda/Fluint.
• Experience modeling two-phase flow, heat pipes, cryogenic fluids, or other complex thermal-fluid systems.
• Knowledge of spacecraft thermal control hardware and materials.
• Passion for and understanding of AI and Machine Learning applications in engineering, with a demonstrated ability to learn and integrate new technologies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Base Pay Range for:
CO applicants is $98,208.00 - $137,491.20WA applicants is $107,136.00 - $149,990.40
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

• 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 Affimative 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.