Sr Mechanisms Design Engineer, Docking Systems

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. This role is part of the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin’s Blue Moon landers and related products. You will work directly with NASA and our National Team Partners as part of the Human Landing System (HLS) Sustaining Lunar Development (SLD) program, playing a key role in developing the Lunar Permanence system that will return humans to the Moon and extend human presence permanently beyond Earth.

This opportunity will report to the Docking Mechanisms Subsystem inside of the Lunar Permanence business unit. As part of a growing, hardworking, and curious team of design engineers, you’ll be deployed to programs that shape the future of Blue Origin. Your expertise in the design and analysis of spacecraft mechanisms will help deliver safe, reliable, ready-to-install hardware that meets requirements while staying within cost and schedule constraints.

Responsibilities

• Design and development of safety-critical mechanical components and systems for pressurized docking mechanisms.
• Coach, mentor, and technically assist junior engineers.
• Participate in the entire design cycle of flight hardware, including conceptual and detailed design, trade studies, structural analysis, development testing, and qualification.
• Generate component drawings, assembly drawings, and interface control documents with application of GD&T per ASME Y14.5.
• Create documentation for assembly and testing of development and flight hardware.
• Participate in subsystem level testing including planning, execution, data reduction, and analysis.
• Develop component specifications and manage suppliers.
• Leverage experience and engineering judgment to quickly design and produce non-flight, proof-of-concept hardware for fast-moving research and development projects.
• Participate in a small, agile team to create and adapt to frequently shifting priorities.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering.
• 10+ years of experience designing aerospace or equivalent mechanical system elements within aircraft, spacecraft, or launch vehicles.
• Strong mechanical design, integration, and mechanism analysis skills using 3D modeling and simulation tools (CREO preferred).
• Experience with GD&T analysis (ASME Y14.5) and performing tolerance stacks.
• Knowledge of manufacturing, assembly, integration, and qualification testing.
• Proficient in technical writing, communicating sophisticated ideas clearly and concisely.
• Experience specifying and justifying margins and test sequences for aerospace systems.
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Recent experience with spacecraft docking systems design, analysis, test, qualification, and production.
• Familiarity with docking system standards, such as the International Docking System Standard (IDSS) and Gateway Docking System Standard (GDSS).
• Deep knowledge of aerospace mechanisms design practices & standards including applicable NASA specifications such as NASA-STD-5017.
• Fluency in mechanisms avionics interfaces and control logic.
• Background including mechanical finite element analysis statics and dynamics.
• Experience with thermal design of spacecraft structures & mechanisms.

Pay

• Base Pay Range for CO applicants: $133,500.00 - $186,898.95
• Base Pay Range for WA applicants: $145,188.00 - $203,263.20
• Other site ranges may differ.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Basic and supplemental life insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• Short and long-term disability.
• 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%.
• Education Support Program.
• Stock options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week).
• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
• Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for additional benefits and bonuses based on individual contributions and company results.

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 checks are required for all positions, with additional checks for certain roles, including DBIDS for access to military installations, DOT requirements for commercial drivers, and Merchant Mariner Credential for specific profiles.