Stage Responsible Engineer, Sr. - New Glenn Second Stage (Gen 1.1)

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.

We are a diverse team of collaborators, doers, and problem-solvers who are relentlessly committed to a culture of safety. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable space flight. Join us in lowering the cost of access to space and enabling Blue Origin’s vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth.

As part of a hardworking team of engineers and specialists, you will serve as the Stage Responsible Engineer (SRE) for the Gen 1.1 configuration of New Glenn’s second stage. You will own the integrated stage as a product including hardware, configuration, and interfaces from requirements definition through design release, build, test, and flight.

As the stage transitions from design and qualification into rate production, you will be the single threaded leader for Gen 1.1 stage design and hardware. You will lead trades and analyses to closure, drive engineering change through release, oversee discrepancies and manufacturing nonconformances on the factory floor, and make the day-to-day technical calls that keep hardware moving toward launch.

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

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Serve as the single technical owner (Responsible Engineer) for the Gen 1.1 second stage upgrades, accountable for the integrated hardware from requirements through flight.
• Own and drive stage-level engineering change through release, including models, detail and assembly drawings, installations, and interface control documents.
• Partner with manufacturing, quality, and supply chain to keep hardware moving; help resolve build issues, disposition manufacturing nonconformances, and close rework and repair.
• Maintain and report on technical and hardware status for stage-level engineering activities.
• Support the alignment and consistent implementation of New Glenn systems engineering, design, and production practices across the second stage.
• Identify opportunities for design, process, and operational cost savings across the stage build.
• Coach, mentor, and technically assist junior engineers across engineering, integration, and systems.
• Foster open communication and present technical content and recommendations to all levels of leadership and to internal and external customers.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of a B.S. degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or other related engineering field.
• 8+ years of proven experience with launch vehicle, spacecraft, or aircraft structures, tanks, or integrated stage-level hardware.
• Hands-on experience with hardware “on the production floor” and/or “in service” — building, testing, or operating flight hardware.
• Strong understanding of structural design and analysis principles, including metallic design fundamentals, bolted joint design and analysis, and buckling, fatigue, and fracture failure modes.
• Experience with cryogenic tanks, pressurized structures, or large-scale welded metallic assemblies.
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of the hardware lifecycle from requirements definition through concept development, design, analysis, testing, qualification, and integration onto a vehicle.
• Experience dispositioning manufacturing nonconformances and driving hardware discrepancies to closure.
• Experience with CAD and PLM tools (Creo/Windchill preferred), Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing and drawing standards.
• Highly knowledgeable of systems engineering practices, integration processes, and mission/safety critical systems.
• Ability to operate, make decisions, lead, and make forward progress in ambiguous environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and mentor junior engineers.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; strength in teaming and collaboration in a diverse work environment, self-starter.
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to our inclusive culture.
• 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:

• Technical team lead or Responsible Engineer for a major vehicle element, stage, or structural assembly.
• Experience transitioning hardware from development and qualification into rate production and sustaining engineering.
• Experience designing for manufacturability and value engineering, with focus on cost reduction and build hour optimization.
• Experience designing hot and cryo structures.
• Demonstrated expertise with industry standard analysis codes: Nastran, Ansys, Abaqus, Optistruct, LS Dyna, Hypermesh, HyperSizer, NASGRO.
• Experience or expertise with fabrication of large-scale metallic aerospace structures, including welding and machining processes.
• Experience with DOORS or other requirements management software.
• Experience with launch vehicle integrated testing.
• Experience working with government agencies.
• Knowledge of the entire product life cycle including ground equipment and operations, manufacturing, test, and fielded operations.

Don’t meet every single requirement? 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 a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $145,188.00 - $203,263.20

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.