Sr. Propulsion Engineer – Thermo-Mechanical Analysis

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 Blue Origin Engines business unit, where our focus is the design, development, manufacturing, and testing of engines and propulsion systems. Built for multiple uses, our family of engines is powering the next generation of rockets for commercial, civil, national security, and human spaceflight. 

As part of our hardworking team of engineers, you will own the thermo-mechanical modeling of our large-scale rotating hardware. You will build and maintain 2D axisymmetric whole-engine models of the rotor and casing, integrate them with secondary-flow networks, and predict the metal temperatures, structural margins, and running clearances that determine whether our turbomachinery performs and survives. This position is integral to the success of our missions and requires strong familiarity with rotating-equipment structural and thermal analysis. 

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required! 

Special Mentions:

• Relocation provided 

• Travel expected up to 20% of the time 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Develop, maintain, and own 2D axisymmetric thermo-mechanical whole-engine / whole-pump models of rotating equipment, predicting metal temperatures, component deflections, and clearances across the full operating envelope. 

• Translate 3D component and assembly geometry into efficient 2D axisymmetric representations that capture the governing thermal and structural features. 

• Implement transient operating profiles (startup, acceleration, steady-state, throttle transients, shutdown, and cooldown / soak-back) and assess their effect on differential growth and clearances. 

• Work closely with secondary-flow analysts to develop conjugate thermal-fluid models, translating internal-flow network outputs (cavity pressures, temperatures, leakage flows, windage) into convective boundary conditions using rotating-disc, gaspath, and cavity heat-transfer correlations; calibrate against rig and engine test data. 

• Apply thermal boundary conditions to axisymmetric structural models to predict rotor stack, casing stack separation margin, radial fits, and critical radial / axial clearance closure across transients for critical flow