Principal Facilities Design Structural Engineer

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 Blue Origin corporate functions, providing centralized support across Blue Origin business unit teams, functions, and locations.

As Blue's Principal Facilities Design Structural Engineer, you will be the senior structural authority for Facilities Engineering Design in Florida. You will own the structural engineering of the buildings, foundations, and infrastructure that make New Glenn production, processing, and launch possible — from manufacturing and integration facilities to heavy-lift crane systems, equipment foundations, and launch-site structures at Cape Canaveral.

Blue's Florida footprint is growing quickly, and many of our structures have no off-the-shelf precedent: high-bay facilities sized around large launch vehicles, heavy overhead cranes, foundations for test and processing equipment, and structures that must perform in a coastal, corrosive, high-wind environment near an active launch range. You will set the structural design standards for this work, make the hard technical calls, and stamp the designs that matter most.

You will lead structural design on our most complex projects, serve as the technical reviewer for the work of Blue's structural engineers and outside A/E firms, and mentor the engineers growing into this discipline. Success in this role means our facilities are designed right the first time, delivered faster, and built to last — and that Blue has an in-house structural capability that partners, AHJs, and contractors trust.

Responsibilities

- Serve as the structural engineer of record and senior technical authority for Facilities Engineering Design projects, including new construction, expansions, and modifications to existing facilities.
- Lead structural design for industrial buildings, high-bay manufacturing and integration facilities, crane runway and support structures, equipment and machine foundations, pipe and utility supports, platforms, and launch-site infrastructure.
- Perform and direct structural analysis for gravity, wind, seismic, crane, vibration, thermal, and other special loading conditions, including hurricane-force wind design for coastal Florida sites.
- Prepare, review, and seal structural calculations, drawings, and specifications; ensure designs comply with applicable building codes, industry standards, and Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) requirements, including range and base requirements at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Kennedy Space Center.
- Act as the technical reviewer and approver for structural work produced by internal engineers and outside A/E consultants; set clear expectations for design quality, deliverables, and schedule.
- Develop and maintain Blue's facility structural design criteria, standards, details, and design guides so that work is consistent and repeatable across sites.
- Evaluate existing structures for capacity, condition, and fitness for new loads or uses; develop strengthening, repair, and remediation designs, with particular attention to corrosion in coastal environments.
- Coordinate closely with architectural, civil, mechanical, electrical, and fire protection disciplines, and with manufacturing, tooling, GSE, and operations teams to translate equipment and process needs into structural requirements.
- Interface with AHJs, building officials, third-party reviewers, and inspectors through design review, permitting, and construction.
- Support construction administration: review submittals, shop drawings, and RFIs; perform site observations; resolve field issues; and support inspections and closeout.
- Challenge assumed requirements and conservatism where it adds cost or schedule without adding safety or performance; drive value engineering without compromising structural integrity.
- Mentor and develop structural engineers and designers; help define how Blue's in-house structural capability should grow.

Minimum Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- Active Professional Engineer (PE) license in at least one U.S. state, with the ability to obtain Florida licensure (and other states as project needs require).
- 15+ years of progressive structural engineering design experience, including significant experience as engineer of record on industrial, manufacturing, infrastructure, or heavy commercial projects.
- Demonstrated experience designing steel and concrete structures, foundations, and crane-supporting structures.
- Strong working knowledge of building and structural design codes and standards, including IBC / Florida Building Code, ASCE 7, ACI 318, and AISC.
- Experience producing sealed calculations, drawings, and specifications, and supporting projects through permitting and construction.
- Proficiency with structural analysis and design software (e.g., RISA, SAP2000, ETABS, STAAD, or equivalent).
- Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership, review the work of other engineers, and mentor junior staff.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical decisions to engineers, contractors, AHJs, and leadership.
- Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and strengthen our culture of inclusion.

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Preferred Qualifications

- Master's degree in Structural Engineering or a related field.
- Structural Engineer (SE) license.
- Active Florida PE license.
- Experience with high-wind and hurricane design in coastal environments, and with corrosion-resistant design and detailing.
- Experience designing heavy overhead crane systems and runways, large-span high-bay structures, or vibration-sensitive equipment foundations.
- Experience with aerospace, defense, launch, energy, or other heavy industrial facilities.
- Experience working on federal installations or with NASA, U.S. Space Force, or USACE design review and approval processes, including range safety requirements.
- Experience with blast, overpressure, or other special-hazard structural design.
- Familiarity with Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Revit-based design coordination.
- Experience establishing design standards or building an in-house engineering capability.

Additional Requirements

- Must be able to pass a U.S. Air Force / Space Force background check for base access at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
- Work is performed in a mix of office and active construction environments, including launch-site areas. Occasional exposure to outdoor conditions — heat, rain, fumes, odors, and noise.
- Must be available to work extended hours as needed to support critical construction and program milestones.
- Willingness to travel to other Blue Origin sites, vendors, and contractors as required (occasional, approximately 10%).

Base Pay Range for:
WA applicants is $169,624.00 - $237,473.25

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement