Senior Engineer, Satellite Propulsion - TeraWave

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 TeraWave, a satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This network will service tens of thousands of enterprise, data center, and government users who require reliable connectivity for critical operations.

We are seeking a talented Senior Engineer to join our Satellite Propulsion team. In this role, you will design, analyze, test, and optimize propulsion systems for our next-generation spacecraft. Your expertise will directly contribute to advancing our propulsion capabilities, improving spacecraft performance, and enabling more complex and longer-duration missions. This position is critical to our company's ability to deliver innovative space solutions that meet evolving customer needs and maintain our technological leadership in the space industry. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Design and develop advanced electric and chemical propulsion systems, with particular focus on hall effect thrusters and related technologies 

• Perform detailed analysis and modeling of propulsion system performance, efficiency, and integration requirements 

• Create and execute test plans to evaluate propulsion system performance and validate design models 

• Develop attitude control solutions that integrate with propulsion systems to optimize spacecraft maneuverability 

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on power processing unit design and power electronics integration 

• Apply orbital mechanics principles to mission planning and propulsion system requirements definition 

• Document engineering designs, analyses, and test results according to company standards and regulatory requirements 

Required Qualifications: 

• B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related engineering field 

• 8+ years of experience in spacecraft propulsion system development 

• Demonstrated knowledge of electric propulsion technologies, particularly hall effect thrusters 

• Experience with chemical propulsion systems and their applications in spacecraft 

• Understanding of attitude control systems and their interaction with propulsion 

• Proficiency in orbital mechanics calculations and applications 

• Experience with power processing and power electronics for propulsion systems 

 
Preferred Qualifications: 

• M.S. degree or PhD in Aerospace Engineering or related field 

• Experience with in-space propulsion testing and qualification 

• Knowledge of emerging propulsion technologies and research trends 

• Background in thermal management for propulsion systems 

• Experience with propellant management and feed systems 

• Familiarity with space environmental effects on propulsion components 

• Prior work on flight-qualified propulsion systems that have achieved successful orbital operations 

 

Compensation Range for:

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