Structural Analyst 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. We’re 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 supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a single-configuration, heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to low-Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar, and beyond. Its first stage is fully reusable, and the vehicle was designed from the beginning to be human-capable.

As part of a hardworking team of engineers, designers and specialists you will perform analysis of structural subsystems for New Glenn’s second stage and payload accommodations using classic hand calculations as well as Finite Element Model (FEM) simulations to support design, manufacturing and operations. A thorough understanding of structural analysis and load path is required as we strive for a weight optimized design. In addition, you will be responsible for creating analysis documentation that is concise and accurate and to perform peer reviews of analysis and reports generated by other team members. You will also be expected to provide structural analysis guidance to design engineers as well as junior structural analysts. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your dedicated commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable spaceflight.

As we transition from the initial design, release and qualification testing of the flight hardware to the production and operational phase you will be responsible for supporting production issues, ongoing testing and mission operations.

We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Special Mentions:

• Relocation may be provided

• Travel expected up to 15% of the time

• Interviews will include a technical assessment

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Detailed hand calc and FEM analysis of primary and secondary aerospace structures for production support and sustainment initiatives

• Drive hardware discrepancies to resolution including dispositioning of manufacturing nonconformances

• Documentation of stress analysis to support release of engineering drawings / documents

• Deep understanding of repair methods and analytical practices for both metallic and composite structure

• Ability to perform technical assessment of damage or out of tolerance conditions and provide guidance on repair or use

• Providing technical guidance on design concepts (risk vs. cost vs. performance)

• Maintain and report on technical status

• Participate in subsystem test planning, execution, data reduction and analysis.

• Prepare technical content and present to internal and external customers

• Supporting cross organizational teams with input for production activities and configuration development

• Analysis checks for designers and junior structural analysts in stress/stability/fracture analysis and best practices

• Improving enterprise analysis capabilities such as creating process automation tools for model creation, strength checks, and analysis report generation

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of a B.S. degree or higher in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or related field.

• 8+ years of experience within the fields of aircraft, spacecraft, or launch vehicle structures

• Experience with analyzing / dispositioning non-conformances

• Complete hand calculations including free-body diagrams for internal and reaction load derivation

• Bolted joint calculations (bolt preload, joint stiffness, shear-tension interaction, insert pull-out, etc.)

• Knowledge of engineering materials and their applications to achieve optimal structures

• Strong experience with classical and aerospace analysis methods (Bruhn, Niu, Roark, Blodgett, Mark’s Shigley, etc.)

• Demonstrated knowledge of vehicle load path and stress analysis of metallic and/or composite structures (pressure vessels, skin-stringer, fittings, sandwich panels, etc.)

• Demonstrated expertise with at least two of the following analysis codes: Ansys, Nastran, Optistruct, LS Dyna, Hypermesh, Hypersizer, NASGRO, Abaqus

• Demonstrated experience using scripting languages (VBA, Matlab, Python, FORTRAN, etc.)

• Understanding of FEM modeling techniques (boundary conditions, bolted connections, contact, verification methods, etc.)

• Mesh generation (ex: mid-surfacing) and understanding of element types

• Analysis of stability critical structures (local buckling phenomenon, global buckling, crippling)

• Experience with development and/or qualification testing (test requirements, setup/configuration, test predictions, test conduct/monitoring, etc.)

• Able to effectively communicate and collaborate across a varied team

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• MS degree in engineering or equivalent

• Experience and understanding of Non-Destructive Evaluation techniques

• Knowledge of aerospace and/or launch vehicle structural requirements

• Experience in large scale structural test and instrumentation

• Experience with analysis of Mechanical Systems

• Experience with analysis of Hydraulic/Pneumatic System

• Loads development experience

• Experience with Creo (ProEngineer Wildfire 4 or greater)

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $121,023.00 - $169,432.20

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

Don’t 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 you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t 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: Blue’s 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 (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing, vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.
• Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

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.
• 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 benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

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 Origin’s 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.