Principal Propulsion Engineer, Blue Thrusters

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 is part of the Blue Origin Engines business unit, where our focus is the design, development, manufacturing, and testing of engines and propulsion systems. Built for multiple uses, our family of engines is powering the next generation of rockets for commercial, civil, national security, and human spaceflight.About the RoleAt 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 is part of the Blue Origin Engines business unit, where our focus is the design, development, manufacturing, and testing of propulsion products. Built for multiple uses, our family of engines and thrusters are powering the next generation of rockets and spacecraft for commercial, civil, national security, and human spaceflight.As a Principal Propulsion Engineer on the Blue Thrusters team, you will be a hands-on expert in thruster combustion devices and a key contributor to bringing our thrusters from concept through qualification and flight. You will bring deep experience in combustion devices design, analysis, and test, along with a working knowledge of the thruster valves and propellant feed systems that control them. You will help connect injector, chamber, and valve decisions so our thrusters meet performance, stability, life, and reliability goals.You will spend your time on design, analysis, and test, working closely with fellow engineers, test teams, and manufacturing partners. You will also share your expertise by mentoring engineers and strengthening the team's technical work product.We are looking for someone with the technical depth to solve hard combustion problems, the curiosity to understand how each component affects thruster behavior, and the collaborative approach to turn good ideas into flight hardware. Passion for our mission and vision is required!Key ResponsibilitiesDesign, analyze, and develop thruster combustion devices, including injectors and chambers, with a focus on performance, combustion stability, and thermal behaviorContribute to thruster-level design work that integrates combustion devices, propellant valves, feed system interfaces, and drive electronicsPerform and review performance, stability, thermal, and transient analyses, and correlate results with test data to improve designsDevelop a working understanding of valve capabilities and limitations (response time, flow characteristics, leakage, actuation type, and operating environment) and partner with the valve engineers on requirement and interface definitionPlan and support thruster hot-fire test campaigns, including test article definition, instrumentation, test execution, and data reviewInvestigate anomalies and failures from root cause through corrective action, applying first-principles analysisDrive engineering trade studies with sound analysis and clear recommendationsDevelop and improve analysis tools and practices, such as performance and stability codes, hot-fire data trending, and data reduction and plotting toolsMentor and coach engineers on injector and chamber design, analysis, hot-fire testing, and data reviewCollaborate with systems, vehicle, electrical, software, manufacturing, and test operations teams to define interfaces and resolve integration issues earlyIdentify technical risks early and communicate them clearly to your team and leadershipAuthor and review technical reports, test plans, qualification documentation, and engineering specificationsMinimum QualificationsB.S. or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field10+ years of experience in liquid rocket engine or spacecraft thruster developmentHands-on experience designing and analyzing injectors and thrust chambers, including performance, combustion stability, and thermal analysisExperience planning, conducting, and analyzing results from hot-fire testing of liquid propulsion hardwareSolid understanding of propellant valves (solenoid, pneumatically actuated, or similar) and how valve characteristics affect ignition, start and shutdown transients, pulsing performance, and overall thruster behaviorExperience supporting technical failure investigations and implementing design correctionsAbility to work across disciplines and make sound technical decisions with incomplete informationStrong communication and interpersonal skills, with experience mentoring other engineersMust 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 asylumPreferred QualificationsM.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related fieldExperience with thruster or engine hardware that has progressed from clean sheet through qualification and flightExperience with cryogenic propellants (e.g., LOX, LNG, LH2), gaseous (GOX, CNG, GH2), and liquid storable or hypergolic propellants (e.g., MMH, NTO)Experience with combustion stability and performance tools such as ROCCID, TDK, NASA CEA, and ROCETS, or similarExperience with engine and thruster transient modeling, including startup and shutdown behaviorExperience with additive manufacturing, welding, and brazing for injector and chamber hardware, including design for manufacturabilityExperience with high-frequency data analysis and building tools or databases for hot-fire data review and trendingFamiliarity with 3D CAD (Creo preferred) and GD&T per ASME Y14.5Proficiency in scripting and analysis tools such as (e.g. Python)Experience at a fast-moving propulsion or launch vehicle developerBase Pay Range for:CA applicants is $169,624.00 - $237,473.25WA applicants is $169,624.00 - $237,473.25Other site ranges may differCulture StatementDon’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 RegulationsApplicants 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 CheckRequired for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background CheckRequired for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installationRequired 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 physicalBenefitsBenefits 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 OpportunityBlue 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.Affirmative Action and Disability AccommodationApplicants 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 View email address on click.appcast.io . Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request. #J-18808-Ljbffr Jobleads-US