Sr. Thermal/Fluids Engineer - Lunar Permanence

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 Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin’s Blue Moon landers and related products. To further Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.

We are a 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.

As part of a small, passionate, and accomplished team of experts, you will lead and conduct thermal and fluid analyses on a component and system level to develop cryocoolers used in zero-boiloff (ZBO) applications. Additionally, you will support heat exchanger design and analysis efforts within the Lunar Permanence business unit. Your role will be to collaborate with other ZBO/Lunar team engineers and technicians in the design, development, manufacturing, testing, and troubleshooting of these cryocoolers and thermal management systems.

Special Mentions

- Relocation provided

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

- Direct and conduct component- and system- level thermal/fluid analyses and trade studies for cryocooler, heat exchanger, and test asset design optimization
- Effectively communicate analytical results and effects of design changes on component and system performance
- Review and interpret test data to assess performance and health both at the system and component level, and to anchor analytical models
- Lead execution and delivery of design, analysis, and data reviews/reports and technical scope therein
- Provide peer/technical reviews for thermal and fluid analyses conducted by ZBO/Lunar colleagues
- Lead and mentor early-career thermal/fluid analysts
- Create work plans, document progress, and report status to leads and managers
- Assist in developing test plans and procedures for component, subsystem, and integrated cryocooler testing in collaboration with ZBO and other Blue Origin test facilities
- Execute test procedures involving pressurized cryogenic and non-cryogenic fluid systems
- Ensure work is completed in accordance with Blue Origin policies and procedures

Minimum Qualifications

- Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in mechanical, civil, aerospace, or aeronautical engineering
- 7+ years’ experience with thermal/fluid system design, development, and analysis
- Experience in heat exchanger design, analysis, and/or test
- Strong command of heat transfer and fluid flow fundamentals
- Demonstrated thermal/Fluid FEA/CFD experience using Ansys, Thermal Desktop, or similar software
- Data-reduction and analysis experience
- Strong written and interpersonal skills
- Desire to take ownership of projects
- Strong personal commitment to safety
- Ability and desire to understand complex systems, investigate and solve challenging problems, and work in a dynamic environment

Preferred Qualifications

- Product-development experience from initial requirement definition through design, analysis, build, and test
- Experience with cryogenic fluid and insulation systems and thermal analyses thereof, including parasitic heat leak analysis
- Thermodynamic cycle analysis
- Experience creating MATLAB-based thermal/fluid analysis routines, including solvers
- Experience providing peer/technical review of thermal/fluid analyses and component designs
- Experience developing, writing, and updating system- and component-level requirements
- Project-management skills

Base Pay Range for:
CA applicants is $156,802.00 - $219,522.45
CO applicants is $144,179.00 - $201,849.90
WA applicants is $156,802.00 - $219,522.45

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, 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.
- 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.