Principal Propulsion Engineer - Materials and Processes Verified today
About the role
This role is part of the Blue Origin Engines business unit, focused on the design, development, manufacturing, and testing of engines and propulsion systems for commercial, civil, national security, and human spaceflight.
As a material expert within the Engines Business Unit, you will demonstrate and develop technology on propulsion projects ongoing and planned. You will leverage extensive experience in materials, advanced manufacturing, and process development to support engine products through system engineering, modeling and manufacturing methods, metallic and non-metallic materials, additive and subtractive manufacturing, joining processes, composites development and process development.
The position requires regular active participation with product and functional teams at Blue Origin's headquarters in Kent, Washington and Blue Origin's test locations through virtual or in-person attendance.
What you will do
- Apply deep understanding of how research flows into development, which flows into production and operations on human and high-value launch vehicle rocket propulsion
- Own design and development tasks end-to-end
- Mentor and advise younger team members on successful and unsuccessful approaches in prior rocket engine efforts
- Mentor M&P engineers and guide tactical and strategic program-related decisions
- Provide broad materials and processes support for metallic hardware (forging, casting, forming, extrusion, plating, coating, brazing, anodization, passivation) and non-metallic hardware (O-rings, seals, lubricants)
- Collaborate closely with design, analysis, manufacturing, quality, and integration engineers to implement requirements
- Review production drawings for large complex assemblies systematically, documenting review to established requirements
- Design, collect and statistically analyze thermomechanical properties data for materials
- Lead material and part process development and qualification efforts
- Contribute to development of internal engineering and quality processes to standardize and accelerate material evaluation, implementation, and qualification
Minimum qualifications
- B.S. in Material Science Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field
- 10+ years' experience in Material and Process engineering application in liquid aerospace industry
- Demonstrated experience (M&P signatory authority) on a flight production program
- Hands-on experience measuring, analyzing, developing, characterizing nickel, aluminum, copper, and oxygen-compatible alloys
- Proven experience developing and executing test plans for analysis and qualification efforts of components or materials
- Familiarity with standard methods for testing mechanical properties (including fatigue, fracture, creep, stress rupture) of metallic and soft materials
- Experience with statistical analysis methods and related tools
- Experience organizing and managing thermomechanical test data in a company accessible database
Preferred qualifications
- Masters or PhD in Material Science/Engineering or related field
- 15+ years' relevant experience
- Aerospace coatings experience
- Familiarity with high-temperature, high pressure Oxygen Engines applications
- Familiarity with analysis, testing, and mitigation for Hydrogen Embrittlement
- Hands-on skills with SEM, EDS, metallography, mechanical testing
- Demonstrated experience developing new aerospace processes and refining existing ones
- Experience running ambient, elevated temperature, and cryogenic thermomechanical testing
- Experience with Failure and Forensic Analysis for rotating machinery (e.g. turbomachinery) and static hardware
- Experience with statistical analysis for preparation of design allowables
- Knowledge of industry standards for material data analysis (e.g. MMPDS)
- Proven experience managing technology development projects, measuring technical progress, resources, and managing budgets
Compensation
For Washington applicants: $169,624.00 to $237,473.25. Other site ranges may differ.
Employment details
U.S. citizenship or national status, U.S. permanent resident (Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum required. Blue's Standard Background Check is required for all positions.