Principal Structural Analyst – Lunar Permanence

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 the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin’s Blue Moon landers and related products. To further Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.

We are actively seeking a highly experienced Principal Structural Analyst to play a pivotal role in our ambitious Zero Boil Off (ZBO) cryocooler program, focused on pushing the boundaries of aerospace technology. As part of a small, passionate, mission driven, and accomplished team of experts, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, qualify, and integrate ZBO’s cryocooler technology onto launch vehicles and/or payloads. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 15 years of experience designing, analyzing, qualifying, and launching flight hardware. Additionally, the candidate should be technically ambitious, have grit, and a proven track record of developing processes for new technology. This position is based in Kent, WA.

Special Mentions:

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 15% of the time
• Interviews will include a technical assessment

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop, execute, and manage structural analyses, reports, and qual test plans of flight hardware
• Lead and mentor engineers and insist on the highest standards
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary groups across programs and earn the trust of others
• Evaluate and refine designs to ensure performance, reliability, and cost effectiveness
• Conduct static and dynamic finite element analysis to determine stress, deformation, and fatigue characteristics
• Evaluate and recommend materials and manufacturing processes for structural components
• Support the design, manufacturing, assembly, testing, and qualification of new flight hardware
• Participate in anomaly resolution and failure investigation efforts
• Review and approve designs, changes, and risk assessments/mitigations
• Lead technical presentations and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders
• Ensure compliance with company, industry, and regulatory requirements and standards

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
• A minimum of 15 years of experience in analysis and design
• Expert knowledge of finite element analysis, structural dynamics, thermal environments, and problem solving skills
• Strong technical knowledge of complex vehicle packaging systems, including pressure vessels, thermal isolation, vibration isolation, and structural supports required to sustain environmental loads
• Experience in specifying launch or space vehicle testing requirements of low/high cycle fatigue, fracture, creep, shock, and vibration response tests
• Experience developing Maximum Predicted Environments (MPEs) for space vehicle components
• Experience with component sensitivity analysis to random vibration and shock environments
• Experience managing technical reporting, requirements, verifications, and certification documents
• Experience leading complex aerospace development programs through the complete lifecycle from initial design and requirements definition to successful flight operations and mission completion
• Proficient in simulation tools (such as ANSYS or NASTRAN) and CAD software (such as CREO, NX, Catia)
• Experience with industry and regulatory requirements such as NASA-STD-5020, ANSI/AIAA S-080A-2018, JSC 65829, SMC-S-016
• Experience setting technical direction for complex systems, including conducting trade studies and system optimization analyses to evaluate low, medium, and high-performance technical architecture options
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters or PhD in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering or related field
• Successfully designed, analyzed, qualified, and launched space vehicle hardware (including valves, turbomachinery, heat exchangers, and pressure vessels)