Principal Fluids Systems Valve Design Engineer - New Glenn Verified today

About the role

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.

You will lead the design, analysis, development, and qualification of next-generation components for the New Glenn Rocket. Your work will focus on critical systems, including valves, regulators, accumulators, actuators, manifolds, mechanisms, pumps, and other mechanical devices essential to mission success.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as technical lead and design authority for flight-critical valve assemblies and fluid components throughout the full product lifecycle, from requirements and interfaces through conceptual and detailed design, development, assembly, verification, qualification testing, operation, manufacturing support, and post-flight serviceability.
• Architect and analyze complex valve mechanisms, including sizing, material selection, seal design, fluid dynamics, thermal-structural response, and oxygen/cryogen compatibility to ensure performance under pressure, vibration, temperature, and mechanical loads.
• Lead multidisciplinary team through fabrication, installation, and testing of flight hardware, working closely with suppliers and support organizations and formal engineering milestones and sign-off on key deliverables.
• Drive integrated project delivery, defining the technical baseline, milestone schedules, verification matrices, and risk burndown plans.
• Lead anomaly investigations, MRB disposition, and RCCA for test and flight hardware failures.
• Mentor and develop junior and mid-level engineers, fostering a culture of technical rigor, safety, and operational excellence. Define design standards, review checklists, and qualification methodologies for the valve engineering group.

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related field.
• 12+ years of proven experience designing fluid, mechanical, or electro-mechanical systems for aerospace or similar high-reliability applications.
• Proven track record serving as a Lead Engineer, Responsible Engineer (RE), or Technical Authority for delivered flight hardware.
• Deep expertise in valve actuation, dynamic/static sealing (including cryogenic and high-pressure regimes), and fluid transient behavior (water hammer, cavitation).
• Demonstrated experience leading root-cause failure investigations (RCCA/FRB) and qualification test campaigns (vibration, thermal vacuum, life cycle, proof/burst).
• Advanced proficiency in 3D CAD software (Creo preferred), Finite Element Analysis (FEA) tools (ANSYS preferred), and engineering drawings with GD&T per ASME Y14.5 standards.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a track record of building trust and fostering professional collaboration.

Preferred qualifications

• Master's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related field.
• Experience in the aerospace or space industry, particularly with launch vehicles or ground systems.
• Deep understanding of fabrication, integration, and quality control for tubes, machined parts, and welded assemblies.
• Expertise in designing systems for cryogenic fluids (e.g. hydrogen, oxygen, methane) or hydraulic systems in liquid/gaseous states.
• Proficiency in thermo-fluid analysis tools, such as Thermal Desktop (Sinda Fluint), AFT (Fathom/Arrow), REFPROP, or Excel-based models.
• Knowledge of materials properties, treatments, and aerospace-grade materials.
• Demonstrated ability to manage supplier relationships, drive component development, and support testing.

Compensation and benefits

Base pay range for Washington applicants: $169,624.00 - $237,473.25. Other site ranges may differ.

Benefits include medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with company match of up to 5%, and 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. Bonus eligibility dependent on role type and job level.

Required eligibility

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum. Blue's Standard Background Check is required for all positions.