Technical Lead - Naval Architecture

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!

At Blue Origin, we are expanding the boundaries of civilization and establishing the foundation for humanity's future in space. The best-kept secret in space exploration is the critical role of marine assets and the use of one of Earth's most abundant resources - its oceans. The maritime industry has been paramount in the exploration of space since its earliest days: hardware and crewed capsules have splashed down in the ocean, and marine crews have recovered flight hardware and astronauts since the dawn of human spaceflight. As the commercial space industry accelerates toward reusability to lower the cost of access to space, the importance of purpose-built marine assets - and the teams who design and deliver them - has never been greater.

At Blue Origin, we are building a world-class team that pushes the boundaries of vessel development and delivers the simplest, most robust solutions to some of humanity's most complex engineering challenges. We are currently undertaking the new construction of a marine vessel specifically designed to support the at-sea recovery of orbital-class rocket boosters - a first-of-its-kind build that demands deep technical knowledge of naval architecture, marine systems, and classification society requirements.

As the Technical Lead (Analyst / Naval Architect), you will serve as the primary technical authority on the new vessel construction program, providing engineering oversight across all disciplines - structural, mechanical, piping, HVAC, and automation - while working hand-in-hand with the Senior Marine Electrical Engineer on power and controls integration. You will interface directly with shipyard engineering teams, American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) surveyors, United States Coast Guard (USCG) Officers in Charge of Marine Inspection (OCMIs), and Blue Origin's internal engineering and program management stakeholders. You will lead a team of four Project Construction Managers who execute the day-to-day construction oversight at the shipyard, ensuring they have the technical direction and engineering support needed to keep the build on track. You will ensure that technical requirements are met, classification milestones are achieved, and the vessel is delivered on schedule and to specification over the approximately 20-month construction period.

If you have the ambition, drive, determination, and skillset to leave a permanent mark on both the maritime and aerospace industries, we are looking to give you the platform to do so. We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, experience, and commitment to quality and execution to positively impact safe human spaceflight and leave their mark on the history of the world.

Travel:

• Ability to relocate to Cape Canaveral, Florida
• 50-70% job-related travel, including extended periods at shipyard locations
• International travel required

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary technical interface between Blue Origin and shipyard engineering during new vessel construction
• Provide engineering oversight of construction activities, ensuring compliance with ABS rules, USCG regulations (CFRs), and contractual specifications
• Review and approve shipyard-produced drawings, calculations, and test procedures
• Coordinate with ABS surveyors and USCG OCMIs throughout construction milestones and inspections
• Develop and manage technical specifications, requirements documents, and modification packages
• Lead technical trade studies and risk management activities for vessel design and construction decisions
• Oversee Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) of marine electrical systems, automation, and major equipment
• Coordinate with the Senior Marine Electrical Engineer on electrical system design, integration, and commissioning
• Provide technical direction, task assignment, and engineering mentorship to the team of four Project Construction Managers
• Review construction progress reports from Project Construction Managers and provide technical input for status reporting to senior management
• Coordinate with the Recovery Offshore Operations Engineer to ensure vessel design supports recovery equipment integration and operational requirements
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to the Recovery Offshore Operations Engineer on vessel systems and classification requirements
• Read and assess blueprints, schematics, and technical drawings to ensure construction aligns with OEM best practices and maximizes system performance and lifetime
• Support verification planning, testing, and commissioning activities through delivery
• Perform stability analyses, structural assessments, and other naval architecture calculations as required to support design decisions and classification submissions

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of a B.S. degree in Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent
• Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in new vessel construction, naval architecture, or as a port engineer with new construction oversight
• Experience with standard shipyard construction practices and sequences
• Experience working with United States Coast Guard and local OCMIs
• Experience working with American Bureau of Shipping surveyors
• Experience performing work in compliance with CFRs, United States Coast Guard Standards, American Bureau of Shipping Guidelines, and other applicable standards for marine applications
• Experience developing drawings and specifications to define requirements for vessel construction, repairs, and modifications
• Experience with FAT testing of marine electrical systems and automation
• Experience managing build schedules and providing status reports to management
• Experience supporting schedule mitigation efforts during project execution
• Strong technical leadership skills with the ability to direct and mentor less experienced team members
• Experience in subcontract management of suppliers including requests for proposal, specifications, and statements of work
• Strong safety mindset and experience, including hands-on experience planning and conducting hazardous or critical operations
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a positive working culture

Desired Qualifications:

• System safety analysis experience including Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA), Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), and Functional Hazard Analysis (FHA)
• Experience with failure investigations
• Experience supporting proposal evaluations
• Knowledge of systems engineering practices, manufacturing, fabrication and assembly processes, and quality control
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or relevant professional maritime certification
• Experience with dynamic positioning systems, heavy lift, or specialized vessel construction
• Proficiency in naval architecture tools (e.g., GHS, NAPA, Maxsurf, AutoCAD, Rhino)
• Experience with stability booklets, trim and stability calculations, and tonnage measurements

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.

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 atEEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.

California Applicant Privacy Notice

If you are a California resident, please reference the CA Applicant Privacy Notice here.