Propulsion Engineer III

About the role

This role is part of the Blue Origin Engines business unit, where our focus is the design, development, manufacturing, and testing of engines and propulsion systems. Built for multiple uses, our family of engines is powering the next generation of rockets for commercial, civil, national security, and human spaceflight.

Responsibilities

• Possess passion for our mission and vision
• Own valve component and assembly designs from concept development through qualification, ensuring designs meet rigorous safety, reliability, and performance standards
• Apply strong fundamentals in propulsion, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and structural analysis to drive sound design decisions
• Examine non-conforming hardware and develop effective technical resolutions in a timely manner
• Oversee component testing, both standalone and within engine hot fire test environments, ensuring compliance with design requirements and goals
• Utilize CAD tools and GD&T practices to develop precise, manufacturable hardware designs
• Coordinate development activities across program leaders, systems engineers, suppliers, and test groups to align on architecture selections and design solutions — serving as a key integration point across teams
• Manage project timelines and deliverables for assigned valve and mechanism development efforts, tracking progress against milestones and proactively identifying and mitigating schedule or technical risks
• Prepare and present design status updates, technical reviews, and project health reports to program leadership
• Collaborate with suppliers and vendors to manage component procurement, track deliverables, and resolve issues — building direct experience in vendor management and supply chain coordination
• Support design-to-production transitions, partnering with manufacturing and quality teams to ensure smooth handoffs and production readiness
• Define and refine best practices for engine valves and mechanisms, driving process improvements that increase team efficiency — a direct analogue to continuous improvement frameworks used in formal project management
• Mentor and guide junior engineers through development approaches, design techniques, and problem-solving methods
• Foster a collaborative, safety-first team culture consistent with Blue Origin's core values
• Contribute to building a high-performing team environment that supports individual growth and project success

Qualifications

• Passion for Blue Origin's mission: Millions of people living and working in space
• B.S. degree in an engineering discipline (Aerospace, Mechanical, Chemical, or Physics preferred)
• 5+ years of professional engineering experience with valves, fluid control systems, and/or mechanisms, including rocket or jet engine experience
• Demonstrated experience coordinating across multiple teams or stakeholders in a technical program or project setting
• Strong technical fundamentals in propulsion, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and structural analysis
• Strong knowledge of hardware design processes and fabrication techniques related to valves
• Experience examining and resolving non-conforming hardware
• Proficiency with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) tools
• Familiarity with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) per ASME Y14.5
• Experience with pneumatic/hydraulic valve design, test, and manufacturing
• Experience with Creo (Pro/E) Wildfire 5 or greater and Windchill 10
• Experience with Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA)
• Familiarity with production quality management systems
• Experience transitioning products from development to production
• Project Management-Oriented PMP certification or active pursuit of PMP certification
• Familiarity with Agile, Scrum, or hybrid project management methodologies
• Experience in vendor management and supplier relationship oversight
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical reviews, manage meeting cadences, and drive decisions across stakeholders
• Experience using project tracking tools (e.g., Jira, MS Project, or similar)
• Any prior experience in a project lead, technical lead, or deputy program role — even informally — is a strong differentiator

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in an engineering discipline
• Experience designing products for cryogenic fluid environments
• Experience with cryogenic fluid environments
• Experience with pneumatic/hydraulic valve design, test, and manufacturing
• Experience with Creo (Pro/E) Wildfire 5 or greater and Windchill 10
• Experience with Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA)
• Familiarity with data analysis and data processing
• High attention to detail with strong organizational and coordination skills — essential for effective project management
• 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