Sr. Spacecraft Thermal Engineer

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 diverse team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!

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.

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!

The role is part of the In-Space Systems business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit.

As part of a hardworking team of diverse specialists, technicians, and engineers (use as appropriate), you will contribute to the definition and development of spacecraft thermal control systems. You should be comfortable working in a fast-paced and often uncertain environment, contributing to innovative solutions, while demonstrating personal leadership, technical competence, and attention to detail.

Special Mentions

• Relocation provided

• Travel expected up to 25% of the time

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Drives the development of thermal systems including system architecture definition, thermal system modeling, component sizing, and design.

• Perform trade studies relating to selection of material and subsystem hardware.

• Perform hand calculations to screen concepts without detailed modeling and to sanity check finite element model results.

• Develop vehicle-level thermal models using SINDA/FLUINT with Thermal Desktop.

• Develop and maintain system analysis documentation.

• Perform steady state & transient thermal analysis of spacecraft thermal systems as well as tracking of system performance in ground ops, TVAC testing, launch, Earth orbit, and beyond Earth orbit environments.

• Provide thermal engineering leadership & support for the development of thermal vacuum (TVAC) test procedures, scripts and installation designs.

• Provide thermal engineering leadership & support for thermal hardware design, documentation (drawings and model based designs), procurement, planning, procedural & operations support of Spacecraft assembly, integration & test (AI&T) efforts.

• Support existing & development of thermal data analytics architecture (GitLab or similar)

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of a B.S. degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering.

• Solid understanding of thermal physics fundamentals.

• Experience in design, analysis, and testing of spacecraft thermal systems.

• 10+ years of relevant proven experience in design, analysis, and test of spacecraft thermal systems.

• Proficient in Thermal analysis, specifically in Thermal Desktop and Sinda/Fluint, including model validation and test correlation.

• Hands-on experience with spacecraft thermal hardware installation processes

• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion.

• 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

• M.S. degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

• Experience solving a variety of thermal problems demonstrating breadth in analysis application.

• Proficiency in one or more programming languages (e.g., Python, C/C++,etc).

• Depth of experience in one or more of the following areas:

  • Thermal Vacuum test planning and execution

  • Spacecraft/payload thermal analysis

  • Active or Passive Thermal Control System

  • Spacecraft Thermal hardware testing

  • Thermal hardware such as radiators, Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI), heaters, thermostats, pumps, valves, sensors, thermostats, heat pipes, ablative materials, sublimators, and/or phase change materials

  • Thermal design of Mechanical Ground Support Equipment

  • Spacecraft Thermal system on-orbit operations support

Compensation Range for:

Other site ranges may differ

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

Inclusivity 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 a diverse, inclusive, and 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.

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.

Discretionary bonus: Bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results.

Eligibility for benefits varies by role type, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role.

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, diverse, 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, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. 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, gender, 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 "EEO Is the Law," 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.

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