Structural Analyst III - New Glenn Stage 2

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 supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a single-configuration, heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to low-Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar, and beyond. Its first stage is fully reusable, and the vehicle was designed from the beginning to be human-capable.

About the Role

This role supports the development and operations of New Glenn, a heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle capable of routinely carrying people and payloads to low-Earth orbit, geostationary transfer orbit, cislunar space, and beyond.

As part of a hardworking team of engineers, designers, and specialists, you will analyze structural subsystems for New Glenn's second stage using classical hand calculations as well as finite element model (FEM) simulations to support design, manufacturing, and operations. A thorough understanding of structural analysis and load paths is required, as we strive for a weight-optimized design.

In addition, you will be responsible for creating concise, accurate analysis documentation and for performing peer reviews of analyses and reports generated by other team members. You will also be expected to provide structural analysis guidance to design engineers and junior structural analysts.

This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your dedicated commitment and close attention to safe, repeatable spaceflight. We are looking for someone who will apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to make a positive impact on safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Special Mentions

• Relocation may be provided
• Travel is expected up to 15% of the time

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following

• Perform detailed hand calculations and FEM analysis of primary and secondary aerospace structures for new designs, production support, and sustainment initiatives
• Prepare formal analysis documents to support the release of engineering detail parts, assemblies, and installations
• Conduct analysis checks and share best practices for designers and junior structural analysts in stress, stability, and fracture analysis
• Provide technical guidance on design concepts, including risk, cost, and performance trade-offs
• Regularly report status, risks, and opportunities to leadership
• Participate in subsystem test planning, execution, data reduction, and analysis
• Prepare content for technical presentations and design reviews (e.g., PDR, CDR)
• Support cross-organizational teams with input for configuration development, production planning, and manufacturing support
• Improve enterprise analysis capabilities by creating process automation tools for model creation, strength checks, and analysis report generation
• Resolve hardware discrepancies by providing analysis substantiation for manufacturing nonconformance dispositions
• Perform technical assessments of damage or out-of-tolerance conditions and provide guidance on repair or use
• Employ repair methods and analytical practices for both metallic and composite structures

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. degree or higher in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in aircraft, spacecraft, or launch vehicle primary structure analysis
• Ability to complete hand calculations, including free-body diagrams, to derive internal and reaction loads
• Ability to perform bolted joint calculations (e.g., bolt preload, joint stiffness, bearing, shear-tension interaction, and insert pull-out)
• Knowledge of common aerospace engineering materials and their applications for achieving optimal structures
• Experience with classical and aerospace analysis methods (e.g., Bruhn, Niu, Roark, Blodgett, Marks, and Shigley)
• Demonstrated knowledge of vehicle load paths and stress analysis of metallic and/or composite structures (e.g., pressure vessels, skin-stringer structures, fittings, and sandwich panels)
• Demonstrated expertise with at least one of the following analysis codes: ANSYS, Nastran, OptiStruct, LS-DYNA, HyperMesh, HyperSizer, NASGRO, or Abaqus
• Demonstrated experience using scripting languages (e.g., VBA, MATLAB, and Python)
• Understanding of FEM techniques (e.g., boundary conditions, bolted connections, contact, and verification methods)
• Experience with mesh generation (e.g., mid-surfacing) and an understanding of element types
• Experience analyzing stability-critical structures (e.g., local buckling, global buckling, and crippling)
• Experience with development and/or qualification testing (e.g., test requirements, setup and configuration, test predictions, and test conduct and monitoring)
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively across a varied team
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. degree in engineering or equivalent
• Knowledge of aerospace and/or launch vehicle structural requirements
• Experience analyzing bolted joints in composite structures, including assessing bearing-bypass capability
• Experience with large-scale structural testing and instrumentation, including FEM correlation
• Experience with and understanding of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques
• Experience analyzing mechanical systems
• Loads development experience
• Experience with Creo or Pro/ENGINEER (Wildfire 4 or later)
• Base Pay Range for: WA applicants is $121,023.00 - $169,432.20
• Other site ranges may differ
• Culture Statement

Additional information

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.