Solar Panel Responsible Engineer - Lunar Permanence Verified today
About the Role
As the Responsible Engineer for Solar Panels, you will lead the development of solar panels for Blue Origin's spacecraft within the Lunar Permanence business unit. You will drive the full product lifecycle from early concepts through prototypes to qualified and deployed flight hardware, working with the Power Generation & Energy Storage team and adjacent vehicle subsystems to integrate solar panels into multiple spacecraft.
Responsibilities
- 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 production)
- 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 internal teams to ensure smooth execution
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Material Science, Physics, Aerospace Engineering or related field
- 5+ years of direct experience in solar panel development (or similarly constructed products); 3+ years in space applications desired
- Experience across full product development lifecycle including concept definition, architecture, requirements capture, implementation, verification, system integration, qualification, and release
- Demonstrated experience designing, specifying, procuring, and testing space-grade panels and adhesives
- Familiarity with photovoltaic cells, design and construction of solar panels, 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 both independently and as part of a team throughout development and production phases
- Self-starter who thrives in fast-paced new product development environments
- Ability to earn 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 of direct experience in solar panel development (or similarly constructed products); 5+ years in space applications desired
- 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 including CREO, ANSYS, MATLAB, Simscape, and STK
Compensation and Location
Base pay range varies by location: Colorado applicants $144,179 to $201,849.90; Washington applicants $156,802 to $219,522.45. Other site ranges may differ.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision insurance
- 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 regular employees working at least 20 hours per week
- Paid Time Off: up to 4 weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, plus up to 14 company-paid holidays
- Eligibility for bonuses based on role type and job level