Thermal Protection System Design Test Engineer II - New Glenn

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 diverse 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 small, hard-working, and accomplished team of experts, you will lead the qualification testing efforts for outstanding Thermal Protection System (TPS) and hot structures components.  You will share in the team’s impact on all aspects of design, analysis, assembly, testing and flight operations. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your dedication and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable spaceflight.

Responsibilities:

• Design, analyze, and test hot leading edges and support structure
• Complete trade studies and screening tests to develop a novel and low cost thermal protection system
• Complete early definition of interfaces and controlling documents
• Create drawings, specifications and other documentation
• Work with the configuration and assembly teams to accurately prioritize procurement activities by identifying long lead procurements
• Lead all aspects of fabrication and assembly services and manage vendor/subcontractor performance
• Maintain and report on schedule, budget and technical status
• Collaborate with multiple interdisciplinary groups to develop test plans for both material development and qualification
• Knowledge of material selection, compatibility, and manufacturing techniques
• Experience trading options including Nickel alloys, carbon-carbon, refractory metals, and thermal protection materials
• Detailed understanding of failure modes and design drivers for hot structures
• Create test plans and test article drawings

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. degree in engineering or science discipline
• 5+ years’ experience with aero-thermal, thermal-acoustic, or other extreme environment testing and design.
• Experience with instrumentation such as thermocouples and pyrometers
• Experience writing test plans, implementing tests, and writing test reports
• Skilled at processing and analyzing test data
• Experience with CAD software
• Be willing to travel occasionally to support testing
• Desire to work hands-on, both independently and as part of a team, throughout the development, production and launch operation phases of the product lifecycle
• Excellent attention to detail and strong task ownership, someone who demonstrates pride in all work and willingness to perform low-level tasks when needed
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum

Preferred Qualifications:

• M.S. degree in engineering or science subject area
• Experience with a wide array of TPS materials including both reusable and ablative
• Experience with structural design and transient thermal analysis
• Experience with Creo (Pro/E) Wildfire 5 or greater, Windchill 10, and Ansys
• Passion for advancing the commercial space industry and human spaceflight
• Experience with GD&T analysis (ASME Y14.5)
• Experience with planning and authoring procedures and test standards for in-house and external testing, as well as collaborating with multiple interdisciplinary groups to develop test plans.
• Management of external and internal high value testing activities including aero-thermal and thermal-acoustic testing

Compensation range for on-site WA applicants is $89,820-$125,74

Other site ranges may differ

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

Inclusivity 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 a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification