Solar Panel Responsible Engineer - Lunar Permanence Verified today
About the Role
As the Responsible Engineer for Solar Panels, you will lead development of solar panels for Blue Origin's spacecraft in a key technical leadership role. You will own the full product lifecycle from early concepts to prototypes to qualified and deployed flight hardware. Working with the Power Generation & Energy Storage team and adjacent subsystems, you will integrate solar panels seamlessly across multiple vehicle platforms.
What You Will Do
- Deliver space-qualified solar panel and backing structure flight hardware
- Serve as technical lead, planning and coordinating cross-discipline engineers (mechanical, electrical, systems, manufacturing and process)
- Drive new product development from requirements definition through production readiness for modular and scalable products
- Lead internal design reviews and participate in reviews with suppliers and customers; support design for test, manufacture and cost
- Communicate development status, risks and challenges to management
- Analyze, track and report key performance metrics against vehicle requirements
- Support component-level test programs including characterization, risk reduction, qualification and integrated vehicle-level testing
- Collaborate with manufacturing operations, supply chain and other teams to ensure execution
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Material Science, Physics, Aerospace Engineering or related field
- 5+ years direct experience in solar panel development (or similarly constructed products)
- 3+ years in space applications (desired)
- Experience across full product development lifecycle: concept definition, architecture, requirements, implementation, verification, system integration, qualification and release
- Demonstrated experience designing, specifying, procuring and testing space-grade panels and adhesives
- Familiarity with photovoltaic cells, solar panel design and construction, and associated test methods such as AIAA S-112
- Knowledge of space environment effects on solar panels including vacuum, radiation, UV and temperature cycling
- Willingness to work hands-on, independently and as part of a team, throughout development and production phases
- Self-starting attitude and ability to thrive in fast-paced new product development environments
- Ability to build trust and maintain positive professional relationships
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- 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
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced graduate degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Material Science, Physics, Aerospace Engineering or related field
- 8+ years direct experience in solar panel development (or similarly constructed products)
- 5+ years in space applications
- Demonstrated experience with solar panel standards such as AIAA S-112
- Subject matter expertise to drive solar array architecture trade studies, performance characterization and component selection
- Proficiency with engineering design and simulation software (CREO, ANSYS, MATLAB, Simscape, STK)
Compensation
Colorado applicants: $144,179.00 - $201,849.90
Washington applicants: $156,802.00 - $219,522.45
Other site ranges may differ
Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance
- Paid parental leave, short and long-term disability
- 401(k) with company match up to 5%
- Education Support Program
- Stock options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours per week)
- Paid time off: up to 4 weeks per year based on scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays
- Bonuses based on role type and job level (amounts and eligibility not guaranteed)
About Lunar Permanence
This role is part of the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin's Blue Moon landers and related products. You will contribute to building sustainable infrastructure for transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.