Senior Structural Analyst – Lunar Permanence Verified today

About the role

This position is part of the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin's Blue Moon landers and related products. You will play a pivotal role in the Zero Boil Off (ZBO) cryocooler program, collaborating with cross-functional teams to design, qualify, and integrate cryocooler technology onto launch vehicles and payloads.

You will work in a small, mission-driven team of experts based in Kent, WA. Travel of up to 15% expected.

What you will do

• Develop, execute, and manage structural analyses, reports, and qualification test plans of flight hardware
• Lead and mentor engineers, maintaining the highest technical standards
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary groups across programs and earn stakeholder trust
• 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 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 and 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 related field
• Minimum 10 years of experience in analysis and design
• Expert knowledge of finite element analysis, structural dynamics, thermal environments, and problem solving
• Strong technical knowledge of complex vehicle packaging systems, including pressure vessels, thermal isolation, vibration isolation, and structural supports
• Experience specifying launch or space vehicle testing requirements: low/high cycle fatigue, fracture, creep, shock, and vibration response
• 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 complete lifecycle from initial design to successful flight operations and mission completion
• Proficient in simulation tools such as ANSYS or NASTRAN and CAD software such as CREO, NX, or 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 trade studies and system optimization analyses
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences

Preferred qualifications

• Master's 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
• Knowledge and familiarity with fatigue and fracture mechanics
• Experience executing launch or space vehicle testing including low/high cycle fatigue, fracture, creep, shock, and vibration response tests
• Experience interpreting and applying SMC-S-016 vibration environments to large system models
• Experience analyzing pneumatic/cryogenic pressure systems including fluid fittings, flexible elements, welded tubing, weight critical pressure vessels, and separation critical fastened joints
• Experience resolving anomalies, conducting root cause analyses, and dispositioning mission critical engineering non-conformances
• Experience chairing decision making meetings

Compensation and benefits

Base pay range for WA applicants: $145,188.00 to $203,263.20

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 an Education Support Program. Stock options for all regular employees working at least 20 hours per week. Paid time off up to four weeks per year and up to 14 company-paid holidays. Relocation provided.

Requirements

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin 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.

Background check required for all positions.