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Sr. Responsible Engineer, Deployment Mechanism – TeraWave Solar Array Verified today

Blue Origin · 3 Locations · Electronics · first seen 2026-09-03
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Role Overview

As Responsible Engineer for the TeraWave solar array deployment mechanism, you will own the design, development, and qualification of this critical on-orbit deployer system. You will be the technical authority for its architecture, analysis, and validation strategy, reporting to the Sr. Manager who owns top-level wing design and delivery. You will lead rapid design-build-test cycles, define deployment architectures, and coordinate interfaces across solar power module, photovoltaic assembly, and harness teams.

Key Responsibilities

  • Serve as Responsible Engineer for the deployment mechanism, owning its design, analysis, and qualification
  • Lead the entire design cycle including trade studies, conceptual and detailed design, structural analysis, development testing, and qualification
  • Define deployment architecture and validation strategy using analysis, prototyping, and environmental testing to prove performance in the space environment
  • Conduct hands-on prototyping including passive actuation, motors, controls, and instrumentation design
  • Perform kinematic, motor/spring/gear sizing, tolerance stack, and structural performance analysis
  • Lead and technically guide engineers designing deployment mechanism sub-components such as latches, hinges, dampers, and hold-down/release mechanisms
  • Own deployer interfaces with solar power module (SPM), photovoltaic assembly (PVA), and harness subsystems; coordinate to resolve interface conflicts
  • Drive design for manufacturability (DFM) and assembly (DFA) to reduce cost and meet schedule
  • Generate component drawings, assembly drawings, and interface control documents with GD&T per ASME Y14.5
  • Perform flight hardware testing including TVAC, modal, vibration, and functional deployment testing
  • Own the deployer-level risk register and DFMEA; drive rapid issue resolution during integration, test, and qualification
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with structural, thermal, electrical, and manufacturing disciplines
  • Coach and mentor junior engineers on the deployment mechanism team

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related engineering discipline
  • 8 or more years of professional experience
  • Recent experience designing and building mechanical hardware (passive or active mechanisms preferred)
  • Hands-on prototyping and testing experience
  • Strong mechanical design, integration, and mechanism analysis skills using 3D modeling (Creo preferred) and simulation tools
  • Experience with GD&T per ASME Y14.5 and tolerance stackup analysis
  • Knowledge of manufacturing, assembly, integration, and verification/qualification testing
  • Familiarity with space environments, verification standards, and vacuum environments
  • Desire and drive to learn new skills and technical tools as the program develops
  • 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

  • Experience with solar arrays or other large-format deployable spacecraft structures
  • Experience with large-scale deployable and/or complex moving mechanisms from concept through qualification
  • Experience with composites
  • Deep knowledge of aerospace mechanisms design practices and standards such as NASA-STD-5017
  • Experience with materials, coatings, lubricants, and bearing selection for spacecraft
  • Mechanical finite element analysis for statics and dynamics; multibody dynamics experience
  • Knowledge of mechanism avionics interfaces and control logic
  • Experience with test data acquisition systems and data reduction
  • Experience with thermal design of spacecraft structures and mechanisms
  • Prior experience serving as Responsible Engineer or technical lead for a mechanism or subsystem

Compensation and Logistics

Base Pay Range (by location):

  • CA: $145,188.00 - $203,263.20
  • CO: $133,500.00 - $186,898.95
  • WA: $145,188.00 - $203,263.20
  • Other site ranges may differ

Relocation provided. Travel expected up to 25% of the time. Interviews will include a technical assessment.

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 all regular employees (20+ hours/week)
  • Paid Time Off: Up to four weeks per year based on scheduled hours, plus up to 14 company-paid holidays
  • Bonus eligibility dependent on role type and job level