Sr. Mechanical Engineer - Deployable Mechanisms

Application close date:

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!

As part of a hardworking team of specialists, technicians, and engineers you will lead end-to-end development of space deployable mechanisms, balancing tight packaging, mass, and reliability constraints. You will define deployment architectures and validation strategies, using analysis, prototyping, and environmental testing to prove performance in the space environment. You will drive rapid design-build-test cycles to burn down risk quickly and drive the design maturity. You will make datadriven design and material choices that meet cleanliness and compatibility standards, coordinate interfaces across structural, thermal, and electrical disciplines, maintain configuration integrity, and drive rapid issue resolution to deliver flightready hardware.

Special Mentions:

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 25% of the time

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Own end-to-end design of deployable mechanisms (pantographs, hinges/latches, booms, tape springs, HDRMs, actuators) from concept through flight delivery within tight mass/volume envelopes
• Develop mechanism architecture and sequencing; size motors/gears/springs, brakes, and rate-control/damping devices; determine margins for stiffness, repeatability, and deployment dynamics
• Perform kinematics and multibody dynamics, torque/power sizing, tolerance stacks, and first order structural/dynamic/thermal checks; partner with analysts for structural and thermal
• Own tolerance stacks and alignment strategy for stow/deploy; ensure repeatability and robustness across environments
• Rapidly prototype and instrument mechanisms; execute deployment and lift testing, rate/timing characterization, and data analysis of test results
• Plan and lead verification testing; TVAC, modal, vibe, or other environmental testing required; write test plans/procedures, define acceptance criteria, and drive anomaly resolutions
• Select materials/coatings and lubricants compatible with space environments; implement contamination control/outgassing practices/standards
• Collaborate with Structural/Thermal on coupled behaviors and with EPS on electrical harness interfaces
• Generate CAD models and fully defined drawings with GD&T (Y14.5); author mechanical ICDs, BOMs, and drawings; maintain CM and review packages
• Drive DFM/DFA and producibility; engage suppliers; provide technical leadership to meet cost/schedule
• Drive RCCA/FRACAS for mechanism issues; implement design changes rapidly
• Mentor junior engineers
• Work effectively in a scrappy cross-disciplinary R&D environment with a geographically distributed team

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS in ME (or equivalent); 8-12+ years designing deployable mechanisms for space (or related)
• Proficiency in a major CAD platform (Creo preferred) and PLM (Windchill preferred)
• Proficiency in drawing creation with GD&T per ASME Y14.5; configuration management of ICDs/BOMs; tolerance stacks
• Experience with structural/kinematics/dynamics/thermal analysis
• Familiarity with materials/coatings/lubricants selection for space and cleanliness standards
• Hands-on experience with rapid prototyping and testing, including ability to perform instrumentation/data reduction
• Familiarity with development testing, qualification testing, acceptance testing; including functional and environmental testing (vibe, shock, TVAC)
• Familiarity with space environments, verification standards, and vacuum environments

Preferred Qualifications:

• MS in ME (or equivalent)

• Demonstrated success delivering flight hardware

• Experience in leading large-scale deployables (i.e. booms/masts, solar arrays, antennas, radiators) from concept through qualification and delivery

• Expertise in one or more of the following: hinges, latches, HDRMs, space tribology, bearing selection, composites, actuators, encoders/sensors, deployment dynamics, harness management through deployables

• Proficiency with analysis tools: MATLAB, multibody dynamics (MSC Adams, Simscape Multibody), FEA tools

Compensation Range for:

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 (CDL drivers only), 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.

• 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.

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