Mechanical Design Engineer III

Application close date:

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. Were working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!

This role is part of Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE), supporting Blue Origins mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. The team fosters innovation and drives engineering workflows of the future, shared solutions and standards, simplicity and lower costs, and manufacturable design.

At Blue Origin, our mission is to enable a future where millions of people are living and working in space. Our Product Formulation team is a fast-moving, innovative group developing next-generation aerospace products and laying the groundwork for future capabilities. We thrive in a prototype-first, fail-fast environment, focusing on delivering impactful results over rigid processes. As a Mechanical Design Engineer focused on deployable in-space structures, you will be at the forefront of creating technologies that enable missions never before possiblefrom massive solar arrays to advanced deployable antennas.

Responsibilities:

As a Mechanical Design Engineer in our Product Formulation group, you will take a leading role in ideating, designing, and testing deployable structures engineered to operate reliably in the challenging environment of space. You will create innovative mechanical solutions for very large-scale, deployable arrays and antennas, guiding them from concept through rapid prototyping, ground qualification, and in-space demonstration. You will be integral to a multidisciplinary team, working closely with systems, electronics, thermal, and materials engineers to ensure each structure meets mission-critical requirements. Your work will directly impact the technologies that make sustained presence and operation in space possible.

• Lead the conception, detailed mechanical design, and analysis of large deployable structuresincluding arrays and antennasfor use in space environments.
• Develop and maintain 3D CAD models, detailed drawings, system layouts, and kinematic/mechanism simulations for deployable structures and subsystems.
• Design and select mechanical components and deployment mechanisms (hinges, motors, joints, locking devices, and composites/advanced materials) for durability and reliability under launch and in-space conditions.
• Prototype and test concepts and sub-scale models, driving rapid iteration through a hands-on, fail-fast, and results-focused approach.
• Define and perform mechanical analyses (FEA, kinematics, deployment dynamics, thermal/mechanical cycling, vibration, etc.) to ensure successful deployment and in-space stability.
• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teamsincluding systems, thermal, electronics, and manufacturing engineersto ensure seamless integration and performance.
• Support ground testing and qualification, including environmental, deployment, and load testing of hardware, and participate in test campaigns through to in-space demonstration.
• Document designs, analyses, and test results in accordance with aerospace standards and contribute to technical reviews and design history.
• Champion safety, innovation, and teamwork in developing new spacecraft capabilities and architectures.

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
• 4+ years of experience in mechanical design engineering, including at least 1 year developing deployable structures or mechanically-complex aerospace systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in CAD modeling (such as SolidWorks, Creo, CATIA, or NX) and producing detailed engineering drawings and BOMs to exacting standards.
• Experience with structural analysis.
• Experience designing, analyzing, and testing mechanisms for deployment and actuation in space or similarly demanding environments.
• Hands-on experience prototyping, building, and testing hardware, including rapid iteration in a development/R&D context.
• Proficiency with mechanical analyses such as FEA, kinematics, thermal/mechanical cycle testing, static/dynamic/vibration analysis, and deployment simulations.
• Strong communication skills, with a proven ability to document and present technical work to a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, work independently in a fast-paced environment, and drive designs from concept to hardware demonstration.

Preferred qualifications:

• Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
• Experience developing large-scale deployable arrays, antennas, or similar structures for spaceflight or aerospace applications.
• Background with advanced materials and manufacturing including composites, shape memory alloys, and additive manufacturing for deployable mechanisms.
• Experience with space qualification and acceptance test campaigns, including working with environmental test labs and developing test plans.
• Familiarity with spacecraft system integration, thermal management strategies, and electrical/mechanical co-design.
• Record of patent filings, publications, or technology transfer in deployable or mechanical space structures.
• Experience leading or mentoring teams in a rapid-prototyping, product-focused environment.
• Knowledge of reliability/statistical methods, DFMA (Design for Manufacturability and Assembly), and root cause analysis for flight hardware.

Compensation Range for:

WA applicants is $117,498.00-$164,497.20

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

Dont meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if youre excited about this role but your past experience doesnt align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blues Standard Background Check

• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation

• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification, Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing (CDL drivers only), vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.

Benefits

• Benefits include: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.

• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.

• Discretionary bonus: Bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results.

• Eligibility for benefits varies by role type, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on Know Your Rights, please see here .

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origins Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com . Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.

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