Thermal Engineering Manager - Lunar Permanence

Blue Origin; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 150,743 - 211,039; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Education support program

Stock options

Job summary

Blue Origin in Seattle is seeking a skilled thermal engineer to oversee the cost, schedule, and technical performance of thermal hardware assemblies. You will lead a cross-functional team while developing innovative thermal designs and ensuring timely delivery of flight hardware.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience in spacecraft thermal engineering and a proven leadership track record, eager to contribute to our vision of millions living and working in space.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of spacecraft thermal engineering experience required.
• 2+ years of engineering leadership experience needed.
• Proven track record of delivering flight hardware on-time and on-cost.

Responsibilities

• Manage cost, schedule, and performance of thermal hardware assemblies.
• Lead a cross-functional thermal engineering team.
• Collaborate with peers on technical challenges.

Skills

Spacecraft thermal engineering

Leadership

Technical communication

Cost management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Integrated Master Schedule (IMS)

Estimate at Completion (EAC)

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 are developing 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 Transportation business unit, which develops Blue Origin’s multiple Blue Moon lander product lines. To further Blue Origin’s mission of having millions of people living and working in space, we are building sustainable infrastructure for the transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface. This position will be responsible for the cost, schedule and technical delivery of several thermal hardware assemblies within one of the vehicles Blue Origin is developing.

Responsibilities

• Cost, schedule, and technical performance of the assemblies within the vehicle thermal subsystem, including baselining new thermal design concepts, maturing design definition and supporting DFX activities
• Technical, administrative, and performance management of a cross‑functional thermal engineering team
• Development and maintenance of subsystem Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) and Estimate at Completion (EAC) cost tracking
• Establishment and maintenance of team processes to guide engineering activities and ensure quality deliverables aligned with critical path delivery
• Effective delegation of technical authority to team leads
• Mentorship and coaching of early and mid‑career engineers, including onboarding of new team members
• Cross‑functional collaboration with peer subsystem leads (Structures & Configuration, Fluids, Gas) and Systems Engineering
• Management of team focus on critical path technical challenges while maintaining cost and schedule discipline

Minimum Qualifications

• 8+ years of spacecraft thermal engineering experience
• 2+ years of engineering leadership experience
• Effective technical, professional, and personal communication skills across all organizational levels
• Demonstrated competency in spacecraft thermal design and thermal control systems
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate defined scopes of work and generate work plans with resource allocation
• Proven track record of on‑time/on‑cost flight hardware delivery
• Experience with IMS and EAC cost management processes

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of spacecraft thermal engineering experience
• 4+ years of engineering leadership experience in subsystem‑level roles
• Demonstrated expertise in spacecraft thermal design and novel thermal architecture development
• Demonstrated ability to reduce cost and schedule of flight hardware deliveries through DFX optimization
• Proven track record of developing early and mid‑career engineers through effective delegation and mentorship
• Experience managing technical teams through design baselining and critical design reviews

Base Pay Range for: CA applicants $150,743.00 – $211,039.50; CO applicants $138,181.00 – $193,453.05; WA applicants $150,743.00 – $211,039.50

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 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

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 (CDL drivers only), 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

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 workforce. 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 at [e-mail]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.